"When I received the cash transfer, I used $68 to buy a bed and a mattress. For a long time, I had been sleeping on a makeshift bed made of wooden frames, and my two children and I slept on a mat. It wasn’t comfortable at all, and the transfer gave me a chance to improve that. I also spent $18 to buy a table because we didn’t have any place to put food when eating. We used to place everything on the floor, which didn’t feel right, especially with kids around. I also bought three plastic seats for $21. Before that, we used to sit on jerricans, which wasn’t comfortable at all. Having proper seating was a big improvement for our home. With the remaining $30, I bought maize flour to ensure we had enough food since putting food on the table had been a constant struggle. It was a relief knowing that we wouldn’t go hungry for a while. Lastly, I spent $20 on clothes for myself and my children. We didn’t have decent clothes, and I wanted my kids to look good when they leave the house. I also used the remaining money to buy shoes and school uniforms for them. That way, they could go to school properly dressed. The cash transfer really helped me improve our living conditions and provide basic necessities that we had been lacking for so long."

"When I received the unconditional cash transfer, the first thing I did was use $100 to pay my daughter's school fees. She is in Form 2 at Talai High School, and ensuring her education is my top priority. It felt good to know that I had covered this important expense, as it gave her a chance to continue with her studies without any interruptions. Next, I spent $10 to take my son to the hospital. I had taken him to the local dispensary three times, but he wasn't improving, so I decided it was time for further tests at a better facility in Marigat town. I’m so thankful that he’s doing much better now, and I feel relieved knowing his health is good. With the rest of the money, I addressed some household needs. I bought a new mattress for $35 since the floods destroyed our old one, and we had been sleeping on mats. I also purchased three plastic seats for $23, so we have proper places to sit now. The remaining amount went toward buying food items for the household. This cash transfer has truly helped me meet several pressing needs for my family."

"My goal in the coming year and beyond is to focus on purchasing more hens with a significant portion of my subsequent transfers. As they multiply, I plan to sell some, providing an alternative source of income. The profits from selling chickens are much better compared to what I earn from making charcoal, and raising chickens is less labor-intensive. Additionally, I want to ensure I have enough food for my own consumption since my farm doesn't currently provide sufficient yield. The transfers will help me secure enough food and meet my needs. I am deeply appreciative of the financial support from the transfers, which is helping me improve my life."

"It was a Sunday, the 14th, and I was in the kitchen, preparing food for my family in the evening when I heard the familiar sound of a message notification on my phone. I quickly wiped my hands and reached for the phone, and to my surprise, it was a message from GiveDirectly. The transfer had come through, and I felt a rush of happiness. It was a moment I had been waiting for, but I decided to keep it to myself for the time being. I didn't tell anyone about it; I wanted to wait until I could withdraw the money and use it to pay for my daughter’s school fees, knowing it would make a huge difference for her as she is in boarding school."

"Since I received the cash from GiveDirectly, the biggest difference I've noticed is in my living situation. The bed and mattress I had were so worn out that I used to wake up every morning with back pains. But now, with the money I received, I was able to buy a new bed and mattress. I sleep well after a long day, and this has brought me so much peace. It's not just about the rest I get—now when someone visits, they can see that I have a comfortable place to sleep, and this has really boosted my confidence. No longer do I feel embarrassed when people come over; instead, I feel proud of the small but significant improvement in my home."

"Thanks to the support from GiveDirectly, I was able to acquire twenty iron sheets. Our chama, where we contribute monthly and invest in projects of our choice, also played a significant role in this achievement. Without GiveDirectly, I wouldn't have been able to do this. My spouse is a casual laborer, and I do small-scale farming to support our three children. The income we generate is not enough to provide an adequate meal for our family. I have always dreamt of building a house with an iron roof, and now I am optimistic that this dream will soon become a reality. I am overjoyed at the thought of how this house will transform our lives. Currently, we live in a one-room grass-thatched house, which leaks a lot during the rainy season, making it uncomfortable for us. We have persevered, but now it seems our prayers have been answered. In the upcoming year and beyond, I am determined to build a spacious house with a sturdy roof. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for the financial support that has empowered me to work towards achieving my life goals for myself and my family."

"I have a goal of seeking better healthcare facilities for my mental condition, as I sometimes experience memory loss. This has caused me a lot of stress because I can no longer do housework or any job to earn a living. I am tired of being dependent on my relatives, who have been taking care of me since my parents passed away. Therefore, I have been thinking of a way to secure my future, and I have now decided to save $10 from my monthly transfer to seek medical attention. Once I receive proper treatment, I will no longer have to worry about myself. I will have the courage and confidence to seek employment and even consider starting a family in the future."

"Since I require special care due to my hypertension condition, I have always wanted to ensure I have access to proper medication and nutritious food. Knowing that the support from this organization won't last forever, I’ve been thinking about having something reliable to support my well-being as a widow. Therefore, I have started saving $10 each month from the cash I receive, to buy goats in large numbers. The idea is to have enough goats so that, in the future, if I face any challenges, I can sell one or two to meet my needs. Additionally, having goats in my compound will also provide a sense of security, as it will make it easier for me to borrow cash from friends who will see I have assets to back me up."

"The goal that is running through my mind right now is to renovate my house, as it seems it might collapse, especially when the heavy rains come. I recently joined a merry-go-round initiative so that I can save $10 from my monthly cash transfers and start this project. I believe that by early next year, I will be able to kickstart this project, as I am certain that I will have accumulated the necessary resources. Once this project is completed, I will no longer have to worry about infrastructure issues or the coming rains. Additionally, this will provide a stable place for my family, so we won't have to seek shelter elsewhere, especially during the winter seasons."

"My eldest child is currently in grade 6 and will be transitioning to junior secondary school next year. This change will require me to have some funds for her school shopping and enrollment. To ensure I am fully prepared, I plan to continue saving a portion of my transfers so that next year I will receive the pooled money and I can enroll her in school without any difficulties. Once my child is enrolled, I will focus on saving the portion of my transfers through the Merry-Go-round savings group with the goal of buying goats and a good bed. While I am happy to have purchased a good mattress with my previous transfers, I still need a proper bed for me to sleep more comfortably. Once this is achieved, I will be very happy. My hopes for the goats are that they will multiply, increasing in both number and value, so that in the future I may sell some of them to help fund my children's education and possibly trade others for cows that I can use to plow my farm. The cows will significantly reduce the expenses we typically incur during farm preparations. I pray that the opportunities provided by the transfers from GiveDirectly will enable me to achieve my goals. I am determined to create a better future for my family and have something to be proud of, especially when this program comes to an end."