"The most significant difference for me is the hope for a better future that this money has given me. By investing in a cow, I now have an asset that can sustain us in difficult times and provide long-term benefits. A few years ago, I had a cow but had to sell it to invest in our charcoal business, which has since helped sustain our family. Having another cow now feels like securing my family’s stability. This transfer has allowed me to address immediate needs while making small but meaningful investments for the future."

"The moment was both amusing and heartwarming. I didn’t realize the transfer had arrived until the next day while doing household chores. I was washing dishes, and my husband was still in bed when I overheard neighbors talking about the money. I immediately ran to check my phone and woke my husband to confirm the news. When we saw that the money had indeed been sent, we were overwhelmed with joy. We hadn’t expected it, and it felt like a lifeline at just the right time. It meant we could finally address our pressing needs and make plans for the future."

"The first thing I did when I received the money was to purchase a bed and mattress for my children. For the longest time, they had been sleeping on a sisal mat on the ground, which I eventually replaced with a sisal-woven bed. However, both options were quite uncomfortable for them, leaving them restless and weak. I decided it was time to provide them with proper sleeping arrangements, so I bought a bed and mattress for $140. I also wanted to address the overcrowding in our home, as we are a family of nine, my husband, our seven children, and myself. Our house was too small to accommodate us comfortably, so I invested $190 in building materials, including timber, nails, 14 pieces of iron sheets, and labor costs. My plan was to build an additional house, which would allow us to split the family into two homes, making everyone more comfortable. Next, I allocated $180 toward nutrition for my family. With a large household, food security was always a challenge, and I wanted to ensure we had enough to eat. This money allowed me to buy several bags of maize flour, sugar, beans, and groceries regularly. I also spent $20 to construct a toilet for my family. Our previous toilet had collapsed two years ago due to heavy rains, and since then, we had been using the bush, which was unsanitary and embarrassing. This transfer gave me the chance to finally hire someone to build a proper toilet. Additionally, I purchased two chairs for $10 because I felt embarrassed whenever we had guests, as we had nowhere to seat them. Finally, I used the remaining $5 to buy a new uniform for one of my children, whose previous uniform was torn and worn out. I wanted him to start the school year with a fresh start."

"I clearly remember how the day unfolded. I was at home doing chores, anxiously waiting for the funds to arrive because the organization had informed us of the approximate date. I spent the entire day checking my phone repeatedly, hoping to see the confirmation message. The money finally arrived at around 4:00 p.m., and I was elated. My excitement was heightened because most of my neighbors had already received their transfers earlier, and I had been eagerly anticipating mine. It felt like a huge relief and a moment of joy when it finally came through."

"The first thing I did when I received the money was to purchase a bed and mattress for my children. For the longest time, they had been sleeping on a sisal mat on the ground, which I eventually replaced with a sisal-woven bed. However, both options were quite uncomfortable for them, leaving them restless and weak. I decided it was time to provide them with proper sleeping arrangements, so I bought a bed and mattress for $140. I also wanted to address the overcrowding in our home, as we are a family of nine, my husband, our seven children, and myself. Our house was too small to accommodate us comfortably, so I invested $190 in building materials, including timber, nails, 14 pieces of iron sheets, and labor costs. My plan was to build an additional house, which would allow us to split the family into two homes, making everyone more comfortable. Next, I allocated $180 toward nutrition for my family. With a large household, food security was always a challenge, and I wanted to ensure we had enough to eat. This money allowed me to buy several bags of maize flour, sugar, beans, and groceries regularly. I also spent $20 to construct a toilet for my family. Our previous toilet had collapsed two years ago due to heavy rains, and since then, we had been using the bush, which was unsanitary and embarrassing. This transfer gave me the chance to finally hire someone to build a proper toilet. Additionally, I purchased two chairs for $10 because I felt embarrassed whenever we had guests, as we had nowhere to seat them. Finally, I used the remaining $5 to buy a new uniform for one of my children, whose previous uniform was torn and worn out. I wanted him to start the school year with a fresh start."

"The most significant difference this money has made is allowing me and my daughter to have better sleeping arrangements. Before receiving this money, I couldn’t imagine when I would ever be able to buy proper beds and mattresses for us. My husband and I always prioritized our children’s nutrition and education, pushing the idea of upgrading our sleeping conditions further down the list. Thanks to this transfer, I now have a comfortable place to rest, free from the back pains I used to endure, and my daughter is also sleeping much better. This has brought us a sense of comfort and relief that we hadn’t experienced before."

"In the coming year, I hope to expand my poultry farming venture, which I started a few months ago. My plan is to grow this business by purchasing more poultry, as I see it as a viable and complementary source of income alongside my store. Diversifying my income streams will ensure financial stability for my family, even if the store faces challenges or a slowdown. I aim to fully invest in both the store and the poultry business, creating a solid foundation for my family’s financial independence and growth. Accomplishing this would mean greater financial security and peace of mind for my family. It would ensure that my children’s education remains uninterrupted and that I can provide for them without relying solely on external work. Building these businesses would give me confidence in our future and a sense of pride in the progress we’ve made."

"I genuinely applaud Give Directly for its incredible work. The organization has brought positive change to so many lives, including mine, in ways I never imagined possible. The impact is visible everywhere in my village, where so many people’s lives have improved significantly. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity and the empowerment it has brought. One area for improvement might be ensuring more communication or guidance about how to maximize the funds for long-term benefits. However, my experience with Give Directly has been overwhelmingly positive, and I hope the organization continues to touch lives as profoundly as it has touched mine."

"The money came in while I was attending a burial late in the afternoon. Despite the somber mood of the event, I couldn’t contain my excitement when I saw the notification on my phone confirming the transfer. I had to read the message several times to believe it was real. It felt like a blessing at just the right time. After the burial, I hurried home and excitedly shared the news with my husband, who was working in a different town. He was equally thrilled and encouraged me to start implementing the plans we had long discussed."

"The money came in while I was attending a burial late in the afternoon. Despite the somber mood of the event, I couldn’t contain my excitement when I saw the notification on my phone confirming the transfer. I had to read the message several times to believe it was real. It felt like a blessing at just the right time. After the burial, I hurried home and excitedly shared the news with my husband, who was working in a different town. He was equally thrilled and encouraged me to start implementing the plans we had long discussed."