"Life was really tough for me, taking care of my five kids without a job was stressful. My husband also didn't have a job. We did odd jobs like working on other people's farms and burning charcoal. Sometimes we couldn't find work on farms, and the charcoal permit was closed, so we went hungry. We were very poor and couldn't afford a toilet, so our sanitation and hygiene were very bad. We used a nearby farm to dig a small hole for a toilet, but when it flooded, dirty water came into our house and made it smell bad.When we received the money, I used $56 to buy enough food. This helped me have energy to work on my small maize farm. I used $50 to build a small toilet to cover the shame of using the farm and open places where everyone could see us. With another $50, I paid school fees for my children, so I could stop looking for odd jobs and focus on my own farm. Finally, with the remaining money, I bought clothes for my children because their old ones were too worn out to wear outside. Thanks so much to GiveDirectly for giving me hope for the future. I really appreciate it."

"I am a widow, relying on my son who works in town for support. When I received the money, the first thing I did was buy 20 iron sheets for $240. These sheets will be crucial for the new roof of the house I am planning to build. I also spent $100 on building poles, which are essential for creating a sturdy structure. These purchases were the first steps in my plan to construct a more spacious home. The remaining money is set aside for other building materials that I still need to buy. My current house is small and cramped, especially since I live with my three grandchildren. It's my priority to build a larger, more comfortable home for all of us. This new house will not only provide us with more space but also a safer and more comfortable living environment."

"I had to make some important decisions about how to spend the money I received. As a widow relying on charcoal burning for sustenance, I have faced many challenges, especially since trees have become scarce. My old house was collapsing, making it unsafe to live in, so I decided to build a new one. For the house to stand tall, I bought 16 pieces of iron sheets for $230, building poles for $47, roofing poles for $52, nails for $13, and water for $15. I also hired a contractor who charged $130 to construct the entire house. I am happy to say that the house is ready, and I now sleep in a comfortable and safe shelter. After the house was built, I realized I needed a good place to sleep. Previously, I slept on a thin mat, which was uncomfortable. With the remaining money, I bought a mattress for $50. Now, I sleep well and wake up refreshed, ready to face the challenges of each day. This investment in my new home and a proper bed has greatly improved my quality of life, providing me with a sense of security and comfort that I hadn't felt in a long time."

"I was sitting in my usual spot on the veranda, watching the sunrise, when Caroline, my co-wife's granddaughter, came to me with my phone. She handles it for me because I am illiterate and very old. That morning, she came to me with a smiling face and told me that the promised transfers had been sent to my account. The news filled me with joy that I felt like ululating, but I held it in, not wanting to let others know about the money. The first thought that came to my mind was to invest the money in a shop business. I imagined the freedom and dignity of having an income-generating activity, especially since I have been relying solely on my co-wife's son for provision ever since my spouse passed away and because I do not have children of my own. This new opportunity felt like a blessing and a chance to secure my future."

"We have not had reliable rainfall for most part of this year. For a farmer like me, i was devastated to see my one acre maize plantation dry up. This means i will have to rely on casual jobs like charcoal burning for the rest of the year to get at least $150 a week to feed my family of 7."

"The demise of my husband five years ago left me with a huge burden of raising my four children single-handedly. This posed a great challenge to me especially on supporting their education because I do not have a reliable source of income to depend on. This has been a sorrowful period since my charcoal work does not earn me much due to its tedious nature. To make the matter worse, my elder daughter dropped out of school in form three. This pushed her to early pregnancies and consequently, she has a kid at home. What a life! As a mother, I feel pain for this failure and I have equally been worried about my other three children in school who are still in primary level. Thus, I consider financial constraints as my biggest challenge."

"When I took my children to school, i had hopes they will secure jobs after completion. However, uncollected academic certificates is standing in the way of this dream. 2 of my sons are yet to pic their secondary school academic certificates 2 years later, thanks to pending arrears of $400."

"My four bedroom house is in urgent need of completion, with two rooms already repaired and the remaining two still pending. Despite the challenges, I am grateful for the progress I have made so far. To finish the remaining rooms, I plan to save a portion of my transfers and gradually acquire the necessary building materials. I am aware that this will be a gradual process, but I am determined to see it through. Completing the repairs is crucial not only for my personal safety but also to ensure the long term stability of the structure, preventing any potential collapse in the future. I am deeply grateful for the financial assistance provided through the transfers, which has given me the opportunity to work towards this goal."

"In the coming year, my main goal is to use the GiveDirectly cash transfers to rebuild our house, which has become too small for our growing family. It's also in a bad state; whenever it rains, water seeps in from the ground, and the mud on the walls falls off. This poses a health risk to our family and is not safe at all. My current focus is on plastering our house because of its poor condition. The thought of the transfers fills me with boundless gratitude, and each time I receive the cash, I feel hopeful about achieving this dream of rebuilding our home."

"My priority in the coming year and beyond is to boost my business as soon as possible, utilizing these transfers as a stepping stone to raise the necessary capital to support my family. I currently sell chapati and beans, but I hope to build up more customers to increase the quantity of goods I sell. Having this business stabilized will make a great difference in my life. Since I have a child in school, I need to have enough money to cover their fees and other essential requirements. Additionally, expanding this business will allow me to acquire enough capital to provide for my family's basic needs with greater ease."