"Living in a two-roomed house presents challenges, especially with growing children. Currently, my two sons share one room while my daughters and I occupy the other. As they approach adulthood, it's clear they'll need their own space. This arrangement becomes even more challenging with my husband frequently away for work. Therefore, my new goal is to construct an additional bedroom for my daughters next year. This expansion will not only ease the cramped living conditions but also provide my daughters with the privacy and comfort they deserve. I am optimistic that this project will greatly enhance our family's well-being and create a more conducive environment for us."

"I aim to build a floor in my house. Right now, the floor is made of mud. When it rains, the place sometimes becomes flooded with water, which dampens the space. Also, I fear that the mud walls may disintegrate from continuous rain. My wish is to have the walls plastered with concrete and install a concrete floor by the time the cash transfers end. I believe that this will protect the walls and the floor from water damage and, at the same time, shield my family from cold-related infections during the rains."

"I want to establish a stable source of income through the rearing of livestock. I currently have three goats that I bought through the cash transfers. I wish to have grown this herd by five by the time the cash transfers end. I believe that rearing livestock will allow me to grow my wealth and provide a sure source of income that can continue supporting the needs of my children, especially their school fees, even after the cash transfers end. It will be a valuable supplement to the little and unpredictable earnings that I currently make from selling palm wine."

"GD has done well in providing unconditional cash transfers, allowing us the freedom to allocate the funds based on our individual needs and priorities. This has led to significant improvements in both my personal life and the wider community. Previously, I resided in a house with a muddy floor, which posed numerous challenges, from constant dust accumulation to the laborious task of smearing the floor regularly, a burden at my advanced age. Thanks to the cash transfer, I was able to cement my floor, a transformation that has made everyday living much more comfortable, healthier and easy to clean. Additionally, I am happy to have expanded my livestock holdings by adding a cow to my existing herd of three. I am sincerely grateful to GD for their impactful support, which has made a tangible difference in my life."

"Navigating life's challenges as a parent of eight has been a journey marked by uncertainty and apprehension, especially concerning the state of our home. The constant fear of its collapse weighed heavily on my mind, a threat looming over the safety of my children. With neither my spouse nor I having stable employment, the prospect of renovation seemed like an unattainable dream. However, the second cash transfer presented an opportunity for transformation. By wisely investing in bags of cement, sand, and essential materials, I embarked on the journey of turning our dilapidated dwelling into a permanent house. The impending transformation of our home not only ensures physical safety but also restores a sense of pride and dignity. No longer will I carry the burden of inadequacy as a parent, haunted by the shortcomings of our dwelling. Instead, the ongoing renovation symbolizes resilience and determination, a testament to our unwavering resolve to provide a better future for our family. With each brick laid and every beam secured, I find solace in the knowledge that GiveDirectly has not only alleviated our immediate concerns but also reignited hope for a brighter tomorrow."

"My current objective is to purchase livestock, especially goats, so that I can breed them and sell them to generate income. As a widow who mainly relies on subsistence farming, I currently have no source of income and believe that owning some goats will be a good investment for me. I currently own seven goats, but my focus is to buy more. My goal is to breed and let them multiply, and I can readily sell the offspring to generate income when I am in a dire financial need."

"Lack of reliable sources of income is the challenge I am currently facing in life. I do casual jobs earning little income that caters for food and school fees. The income is low such that my children sometimes miss classes due to lack of school fees. This has affected their performances."

"Housing is the challenge I am currently facing in life. I live in a one room house which also serves as the kitchen together with my wife. Children have a separate structure though it is not spacious. It has one room. I cannot even accommodate my visitors. Most of the time I seek shelter from neighbors so as to accommodate my visitors whenever they come."

"Life at home has become so tough due to financial constraints. This has made us live a miserable life that has lowered our social status. Looking at our house, it is very small and it can not accommodate us. In addition, getting our meals also has a challenge and sometimes, me might be forced to survive on two or one in a day. For this reason, I usually feel stressed and it is because of this challenge that makes my life harder."

"In the past 1 year, my life has never been the same because of stomach complications. In February 2024, the situation worsened and I was rushed to hospital where I was diagnosed with appendix problem. This forced me to undergo an operation that has made me inactive at work. Since I am a family man, I feel so much depressed to desperately watch my family at home. In addition, I am not supposed to actively engage myself in any activity for a period of eight months. What a stressful life! For this period, I have been depending on well-wishers and this makes my life so tough."