"My neighbor was having a video shoot with the GiveDirectly staff, and they casually informed us that we’d be receiving money that very day. I wasn’t sure at first, but I kept my phone close, just in case. After a short while, I heard the familiar chime of a message coming through. When I checked, there it was – the GiveDirectly transfer! I was overwhelmed with happiness, knowing that I could finally buy the household essentials I had been needing for so long. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders."

"Before receiving the unconditional cash from GiveDirectly, we were in a bit of a tight spot. Our one acre of tomatoes needed staking, and we were planning to take a loan from Boresha Sacco to cover the costs. It was a risky move, but we didn’t have many options. But then the GiveDirectly cash came through, and it was a complete game-changer. We were able to cover the staking costs and other production expenses without taking on debt. Now, we’ve already made sales worth $1500, and our production costs were only $800. That’s $700 in profit, and the best part is we don’t owe anyone a single cent. It feels amazing to know that we’re making money and aren’t trapped in a cycle of debt."

"Ever since I got married, my life has been filled with sorrow as I always worried about the condition of my house. I was always afraid it might collapse at any time and physically harm us, causing me many sleepless nights. I had no hope of repairing it or building a new one, as I am currently jobless, and my husband, who does menial jobs, couldn’t afford to buy the materials. This situation made me fear sleeping in the house at night because I was constantly concerned about our safety. However, everything changed when GiveDirectly came to my rescue. I was able to buy the necessary materials, and now the construction is underway. Soon, we will move into our new house. I will no longer have to worry about my family’s safety, the hazards, or even the harsh weather that has been so unkind to us. I now feel relieved and happier, seeing the smile that GiveDirectly has brought to my entire family."

"I was at my son's house when my daughter-in-law suddenly told me she'd just received her transfer from GiveDirectly. As we were talking, my grandson came running in with my phone and said, "Grandma, yours has also arrived!" I couldn't believe it at first, but when I checked, there it was—the money had come through. I was so happy, it lifted my spirits right away, even though I hadn’t felt well that day. I had been planning to buy some new household furniture, and now I knew I could go ahead and do it."

"I am a parent to school-going children who depend on me to ensure their basic needs are met, such as paying fees and providing food. This motivates me to work extra hard. Recently, I achieved my dream of starting a vegetable business, and now I intend to expand into cattle rearing in the coming years. My goal is to secure my family's financial future and avoid desperation when this financial support ends. I believe that investing in goats will provide a safety net for any future financial challenges. However, I faced a setback when a goat I purchased passed away while giving birth, which was very disappointing. Despite this, I am determined to continue and will soon start saving to resume the livestock rearing project. I am grateful for the support I've received and remain committed to restarting this endeavor in the near future."

"I realize that I'll need to find a job in order to raise the funds to start my cyber cafe. Unfortunately, my poultry farming investment took a hit when a disease wiped out all my chickens, leaving me feeling disheartened. I'm currently weighing my options, especially since poultry feed is quite expensive. Despite this setback, I'm determined to save up enough money to fulfill my dream of opening a cyber cafe, a passion I've had since my university days. My friends who used to operate a cyber cafe have encouraged me to pursue this venture, and I believe it has the potential to be a successful and financially rewarding business. I'm committed to saving a portion of my income every month, and a friend has suggested that I could use the $500 from my poultry farming proceeds to start the cyber cafe. This business endeavor will also allow me to provide support for my seven younger siblings, all of whom are currently in school."

"I currently own two goats and my aim is to increase their numbers so that I can eventually sell or exchange them for bulls. These bulls will be essential for helping me cultivate my land and generating income through hiring them out. Besides raising goats, I also sell chickens to support my family. With the income from my work and the monthly transfers I receive from GiveDirectly, I will be able to purchase more goats, which I can later exchange for cows. This is my major goal for the coming year and beyond. Due to limited income, I am unable to buy a cow directly, so I plan to invest in goats for a while and then exchange them for cows. I believe that this investment will lead to a brighter future for my family and we will be able to live a more comfortable life than we do now."

"I lost my chickens due to a disease outbreak in our area. They were free range, which likely contributed to their contracting the disease. To prevent a repeat of this situation, I plan to use my cash transfers to build a better chicken coop where the chickens can stay in one place and minimize their movement. I also want to ensure I have access to the right medicine to minimize losses in case of unavoidable circumstances. Once these transfers multiply, I plan to exchange chickens for goats. Buying goats directly is expensive, so I will start with chickens and then trade them for goats once their numbers increase. Goats multiply quickly, are easy to manage, and are highly marketable, making them a great source of future financial income once the GiveDirectly transfers come to an end."

"In the coming year, I plan to purchase a cow as a long-term investment. I see this as a crucial step towards ensuring a stable source of income and food for my family. To achieve this goal, I have already started saving the recent transfers I've received, and I intend to continue setting aside every transfer that comes my way in the future. Each time I save, I get closer to the day when I can visit a farm and select the cow that will not only provide milk for my family but also become a lasting source of financial growth. My vision is clear, and with discipline and patience, I believe I will soon accomplish this goal."

"I am involved in charcoal production and sales to meet the basic needs of my family. Unfortunately, I recently lost all my chickens to a disease outbreak in my village. Despite this setback, I am determined to continue with my poultry farming. With the house of my dreams now built, I am looking to focus on livestock. My ultimate goal is to purchase a cow, but due to the high cost, I plan to start by investing in poultry rearing. Once I have a good number of poultry, I will sell some to buy goats. After the goats multiply, I will sell them to eventually acquire a cow for land cultivation. I intend to use the cow for plowing my land and my neighbors' land for a fee. The income from this endeavor will help me pay for my children's education."