"First, I bought 17 iron sheets for $108, poles for $60, and paid a mason $40 to start repairing the house where I live with my 3-year-old son. The house, given to me by my parents, is very old, and the walls are falling apart. I also bought roofing frames, roof covers, and nails for $40 to ensure the roof would be stable and durable. I finally felt relieved knowing that our home would be safer and more secure for my son and I. I then used $10 to pay my son's school fees and another $10 to buy his school uniform. His education is important to me, and these expenses need to be covered. I also bought household food items for $22, ensuring we had enough to eat without worrying about the next meal. With the remaining money, I bought two goats for $60, hoping that they would multiply quickly and serve as a small asset for me in the future. The rest of the money has been saved to cover any emergencies that may arise, like unexpected needs for food or water. This cash transfer has allowed me to improve my living conditions, support my son's education, and plan for the future, all of which have given me a sense of hope and security."

"First, I bought 17 iron sheets for $108, poles for $60, and paid a mason $40 to start repairing the house where I live with my 3-year-old son. The house, given to me by my parents, is very old, and the walls are falling apart. I also bought roofing frames, roof covers, and nails for $40 to ensure the roof would be stable and durable. I finally felt relieved knowing that our home would be safer and more secure for my son and I. I then used $10 to pay my son's school fees and another $10 to buy his school uniform. His education is important to me, and these expenses need to be covered. I also bought household food items for $22, ensuring we had enough to eat without worrying about the next meal. With the remaining money, I bought two goats for $60, hoping that they would multiply quickly and serve as a small asset for me in the future. The rest of the money has been saved to cover any emergencies that may arise, like unexpected needs for food or water. This cash transfer has allowed me to improve my living conditions, support my son's education, and plan for the future, all of which have given me a sense of hope and security."

"I was at home around 4 p.m. washing clothes when I heard my phone buzz with a message notification. I didn’t check it right away, wanting to finish the washing first. Later, when I finally opened the message, I realized it was the GiveDirectly transfer, and I felt a rush of joy. I decided to wait for my husband to get home, and when he arrived at 8 p.m., I shared the news with him. He was just as happy as I was. At that moment, we both knew that we were finally going to build the bigger house we had always dreamed of."

"When I received the unconditional cash transfer, I decided to invest it in building a better home for my family. Our old house was just a small, one-roomed structure, where my husband, son, and I were cramped together. With the money, I bought 26 iron sheets for $260 and 80 poles for $16, and I spent another $60 on frames. These materials were essential for constructing a more spacious, two-room mud-walled house that would give us the room and comfort we have always needed. I spent $20 on five roof covers to cover the roof. The house is still a work in progress, but it already feels like a significant improvement from our previous living conditions. With each step, I feel more hopeful about the future and the quality of life we can provide for our son. I have put aside the remaining money to cover labor expenses and purchase additional roofing frames as we move forward with construction. Completing the house will take time and effort, but I am determined to see it through. This cash transfer has given us a real opportunity to build a better life, and I’m committed to making every cent count toward achieving that goal."

"In the coming year and beyond, I have two key projects that I’m eager to pursue. My long-standing passion for driving. I plan to enroll in a college to earn a Certificate that will qualify me for professional opportunities in driving. To fund this, I will allocate a portion of my monthly savings towards my education. Additionally, I aim to start a business for my wife, which will help her contribute to our family’s well-being. Relying on a single source of income can be challenging, especially when job availability is inconsistent and our children sometimes go to bed hungry. By establishing a family business, we hope to supplement our income and improve our financial stability. I’m grateful to be part of a group savings scheme, and this December, it will be my turn to receive our savings. I plan to use this to kickstart our dream business."

"I have always had dreams of building a new three-room house for my family because the current house that we are living in is on the verge of collapsing and beyond repairs. Thanks to the Merry Go Round group in our village that I joined, I have been successfully saving a portion of my transfers that I have been receiving from GiveDirectly, and I am happy to say that I received my share of $240 this month. My plan for this year is to therefore use this money to buy building materials and start constructing our new home. I am looking forward to completing the house soon, as I have enough funds to begin the building process. Once the house is completed, my plan for the coming year is to continue saving a portion of my transfers in the same group with the aim of starting a business. When it is my turn to receive the pooled funds again, I will use that money to start a food kiosk where I can cook and sell meals to support my family. By the end of this program, I hope to have something concrete to be proud of, which is a home for my family and a reliable business that can help sustain us and my children's education. I am very grateful for the support that GiveDirectly has provided us."

"In the coming year and beyond, I have two key projects that I’m eager to pursue. My long-standing passion for masonry, inspired by my father's dedication to the craft, has motivated me to seek formal training. I plan to enroll in a college to earn a Certificate that will qualify me for professional opportunities in masonry. To fund this, I will allocate a portion of my monthly savings towards my education. Additionally, I aim to start a business for my wife, which will help her contribute to our family’s well-being. Relying on a single source of income can be challenging, especially when job availability is inconsistent and our children sometimes go to bed hungry. By establishing a family business, we hope to supplement our income and improve our financial stability. I’m grateful to be part of a group savings scheme, and this December, it will be my turn to receive our savings. I plan to use this to kickstart our dream business."

"My plan for the next year revolves around my daughter, who is currently in Grade 6. Next year, she’ll be moving up to Junior Secondary School, and I want to make sure I am fully prepared for that transition. The thing is, I’ve already managed to clear her school fees for this year, which is a huge relief but I need to start thinking ahead. That’s why I’m determined to work even harder in my charcoal business. It’s not easy work, but it’s what I do, and it’s what’s going to help me save up the money she’ll need for next year’s fees. It’s important to me that she has every opportunity to succeed, and if that means burning more charcoal and putting in longer hours, then that’s exactly what I’ll do. By the time she finishes Grade 6 and is ready for Junior Secondary, I want to be able to say that I’ve saved enough to cover all her fees. I want to give her the best start possible, and that’s what’s driving me right now."

"My foremost aspiration right now is to develop my workshop into a wholesale enterprise over the next year and beyond. I believe this expansion will yield significant returns and create a foundation for a brighter future. Since this venture is my main source of income, it is extremely important to me. It will simplify providing for my young family and allow me to plan more effectively for my children's future. I envision a time when financial concerns are replaced by stability and security, giving my children the opportunities they deserve. In addition, I plan to enhance my poultry business. As it grows, I’ll be able to sell some chickens and use the profits to acquire goats. This expansion will further strengthen my business, increase my daily income, and enable me to support my family more comfortably."

"The lack of stable family income is making our lives increasingly difficult and unbearable. It is unfortunate that my old age limits my ability to take on casual work to provide for my family of four. I am currently working as a caregiver to support myself. However, with a monthly income of $45, I am struggling to cover the school fees for my two daughters, who are enrolled in college and secondary school. I am currently working as a caregiver to support myself. However, with a monthly income of $45, I am struggling to cover the school fees for my two daughters, who are enrolled in college and secondary school. I feel deeply distressed when my daughter is sent home to collect the unpaid school fees. It pains me to see her fall behind in her education, and I feel as though I am failing her as a parent."