"Before the transfers, our lives were filled with uncertainty and financial hardship. Without a stable income and eight children to care for, my wife and I struggled to meet our basic needs, let alone save for a home. We relied on the kindness of my in-law for a place to build a house until we were stable enough to buy our own land. We are farmers and relied on rented land for farming, but unpredictable weather often left our agricultural efforts fruitless, making it challenging to adequately provide for our family as well as save for a piece of land. The dream of owning our own home felt like an impossible achievement. However, after receiving the transfers, our lives took a dramatic turn. We were finally able to make a down payment on a 1.5 acre piece of land, securing a permanent home for our family. This newfound stability brought immense relief, lifting the constant worry about home insecurity for my children. With the burden of land expenses eased, we can now channel our resources towards improving our family's well-being and meeting other essential needs like food. The transfers didn't just provide us with a tangible asset; they filled us with hope and optimism for a brighter tomorrow."

"Doing well in supporting the people with financial assistance which have helped them to have a good life"

"My current objective is to gather sufficient building materials, such as building poles and iron sheets, and begin constructing a new house. To achieve this, I've adopted a two-pronged approach. Firstly, I am purchasing some materials every month, steadily building up the resources needed for the construction, for now, I have 8 iron sheets. Additionally, I've joined a merry-go-round, contributing $10 regularly. This way, once I accumulate enough savings, I'll be able to purchase all the required materials to start the construction. In the coming year and beyond, my ultimate goal is to build a decent, spacious house where I and my children can comfortably live. The determination to provide a secure and stable home for my family drives me forward, and I eagerly anticipate the day that we can move into our new house."

"With the acquisition of a quarter-acre piece of land under my name, I am excited about the possibilities it offers for planning and development without constraints. In the coming years, my goal is to build a spacious new house that can comfortably accommodate my family of two and provide room for visitors. Already, I have secured some construction materials using the last transfer, including 14 iron sheets and 10 round cedar poles. Currently, I am diligently working on my rented piece of land along the river, aiming to generate proceeds that will contribute to purchasing additional construction materials and covering labor charges during construction. Reflecting on the transformation I have experienced since receiving the money, I feel a sense of joy, hopeful that the challenges of my past life in the war-affected area will not resurface."

"In the coming year and beyond, my focus remains on improving our living conditions, starting with replacing the old and rusty iron sheets on our house's roof. Although there haven't been any leaks yet, I aim to preempt any potential issues by renovating it sooner rather than later. Thanks to the improved farming activities facilitated by better rains, I anticipate a good harvest in three months, providing food for my family of three and surplus proceeds to invest in the house renovation. I owe these goals to the support from GiveDirectly, which has empowered me to strive for improvements that I had not considered before receiving their cash support."

"For a long time now, droughts have been affecting us a lot, causing losses in both livestock and our farming activities. To continue providing for my family, which has gradually reduced to just two members after my elder children started their own families, I have had to sell off some of our goats, reducing our herd to just 5. With the first and second transfers from GiveDirectly, I managed to acquire 6 more goats, and then used $300 from the final transfer to buy another 6. I am happy and grateful that we now have 19 goats, with two of them giving birth last month. Since I am not physically able to farm or secure casual labor, I plan to focus on raising and breeding the goats, which will provide a safety net during tough times when we can sell them to buy food. Currently, I live with my grandson, who helps me look after the goats. I also spent $100 on purchasing two sacks of maize, which we are still using and should last us another month. Our meals consist of a hearty dinner and lighter breakfast and lunch. We used the remaining $50 to buy household essentials like kitchen consumables, toiletries, and milk, which we usually obtain on credit and settle the bill at the end of the month. I am grateful for the support from GiveDirectly; it has motivated us to strive for better living standards."

"I am happy to share that I recently graduated from high school with the help of the monthly financial support I received. Prior to that, I faced disruptions, but since receiving the transfers, my high school education has been seamless, and I was able to pay my fees on time. My current goal is to enroll in college and pursue a teaching course in September of this year. I plan on saving my transfers every month so that I can easily pay for my tuition fees. I am hopeful that with the continued support, I will be able to achieve my career goals."

"With the rainy season looming, I'm determined to build a new house. The fear of losing my current one to the downpour pushes me forward. Thankfully, I recently fulfilled my dream of owning another goat, which boosts my spirits. My plan is to kickstart the construction process as soon as possible. When our monthly transfer comes in, I aim to gather materials by pooling $30 from each of us. This collaborative effort will hopefully set us on the path to a safer, more secure home before the rains arrive."

"Right now, I'm focusing on breeding goats because they reproduce quickly. Once my goat herd multiplies, I aim to exchange them for cows, as the market rate is around 5 goats for a cow, and also get their nutritious milk. With cows and on the farm, I'll have extra help for tilling the shamba hence saving the amount that I could have used tilling using the tractor for other investments moreso they'll be a source of income too. I'm hopeful that by this time next year, I'll have around four cows and at least sixteen goats. It's a simple plan, but it fills me with excitement and hope for the future of my farm."

"My main goal is to acquire all the necessary building materials for constructing a new, durable house, which for now I have successfully acquired 30 building poles with hopes that soon I will be able to acquire all of them since the recent heavy rains have left me feeling unsafe residing in the current house, as it is at risk of collapsing at any moment. I aim to construct a resilient dwelling that can withstand adverse weather conditions. I am delighted and hopeful that with the financial assistance from the transfers, I will be able to realize my ambition of building a quality home for myself."