"Completing my house has been the most significant change in my life. For months, I had been sleeping on my son’s veranda, as his house didn’t have enough space for me. Now, I finally have a home of my own, thanks to the funds I received. This has allowed me to regain my dignity and no longer feel like a burden to my family."

"When the transfer came in, I was unaware because my phone was charging at a nearby store. It wasn’t until I returned to collect my phone that I saw the message confirming the funds had been sent. At that moment, I felt overwhelming joy and relief, knowing this money would significantly change my life. I had not expected to receive it that day, and seeing it in my account gave me a profound sense of hope. It was a deeply satisfying feeling because I knew it would allow me to accomplish goals I had long postponed due to financial constraints."

"When the transfer came in, I was unaware because my phone was charging at a nearby store. It wasn’t until I returned to collect my phone that I saw the message confirming the funds had been sent. At that moment, I felt overwhelming joy and relief, knowing this money would significantly change my life. I had not expected to receive it that day, and seeing it in my account gave me a profound sense of hope. It was a deeply satisfying feeling because I knew it would allow me to accomplish goals I had long postponed due to financial constraints."

"The most significant difference has been installing a tap water system in our home. For years, my wife and I struggled to fetch water, even as our bodies grew weaker with age. Now, not only is water easily accessible, but I also plan to sell some of it, which will provide us with a small income to sustain ourselves."

"When the money came in, I was relaxing in the shade at home as the sun was scorching. It was around 2:00 p.m. when I heard the message notification. Since I can’t read well, I asked my daughter, who was sitting nearby, to check my phone. She confirmed that the money from Give Directly had been sent, and I was elated beyond words. Being elderly and jobless, I rely on myself for most things, so this money felt like a lifeline, lifting an enormous weight off my shoulders."

"For the longest time, I have dreamed of building a proper home for my family. Although it’s just my wife and me now, we are hopeful that, if God allows, we will have children in the future. The house we currently live in is very small, with only one room, and I wanted to prepare for the day when we have a bigger family. When I received the cash transfer, my first thought was that this was the opportunity to build a family home that could accommodate us all. I spent $365 on materials, including a round of bricks and a lorry of sand, to get started on the house. Since I am a mason by trade, I decided to construct the house myself to save on additional costs. I also used $60 to service my motorcycle, which I rely on to transport people and goods, helping me earn an income. The remaining $125 went toward essential family needs, such as food. I bought 25 kilograms of rice, 20 liters of cooking oil, and more than a dozen bags of maize and wheat flour to ensure we had enough to eat."

"The most significant difference is that I now have the resources to build a better home for my family. This has been one of my biggest dreams, and with the organization’s support, I am finally able to make it happen. Being able to prepare for our future as we hope to have children someday means so much to me, and I can’t wait to complete this house."

"The most significant difference this money has made is that I was able to buy my own piece of land. Although I still owe a balance, I’m confident that the next transfer will help me settle the debt. This is a dream I’ve held onto for so long, and having the funds to make it happen has brought me closer to achieving it. My family and I are one step closer to having a home of our own."

"For a long time, I dreamed of purchasing a piece of land where my children and I could build a proper family home. Although I owned some property, I had built rental houses on it, and having tenants made it feel less like a home for my family. I wanted a space that was exclusively ours, where we could create memories without interruptions. When I received the money, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to start making this dream a reality. I used $500 to make a partial payment for a piece of land worth $700. The remaining $50 was saved with plans to purchase a goat, which I viewed as a long-term investment for my family’s future. The goat could breed, helping me generate income when needed."

"Before I received the money, my primary goal was to build a better house for myself. My old house was in terrible condition, the roof leaked, and the structure was so unstable that I feared it might collapse at any moment. It was not just an inconvenience but a constant source of worry. When the money came, I immediately purchased building materials, including 10 pieces of iron sheets, timber, and other essentials. These materials, along with labor costs, totaled $470 and allowed me to begin constructing a much safer and more reliable home. Additionally, I spent $65 on a new bed, as I had been sleeping on a sisal rope bed for years. Though I couldn't afford a mattress yet, I hope to buy one with future transfers. The remaining $15 went toward nutrition, where I bought a bag of maize containing a dozen packets to ensure we wouldn’t go hungry."