"Being a jobless mother, relying on my spouse's meager income from the quarry has been a constant struggle to support our large family of twelve members. Fed up with the embarrassment of our cramped living conditions, I decided to invest my recent unconditional cash transfers wisely. I used $400 to purchase iron sheets, poles, nails, threads, and timber with a clear goal in mind: to build a new, spacious house that could comfortably accommodate my three children, three grandchildren, my spouse, and myself. The thought of providing my family with a better home filled me with hope and determination. Moreover, I knew the value of education in breaking the cycle of poverty, so I allocated $100 of the funds to pay the school fees for my children. My two older kids in secondary school and three younger ones in lower classes could now continue their studies without interruption, giving them a chance for a brighter future. With the remaining amount, I made sure there was enough food on our table to feed my family. It was a humbling experience to have the means to address some of my most pressing needs, and I felt a renewed sense of strength and purpose. The unconditional cash transfer gave me the opportunity to take a step towards self-sufficiency, and I was determined to make the most of it for the betterment of my family's life."

"Firstly, I am resolute about acquiring comfortable and cozy bedding for myself and my family. For too long, I have endured restless nights on worn-out mattresses and tattered blankets, and I yearn for the simple luxury of a good night's sleep. Secondly, I envision expanding my livelihood through livestock, specifically goats. Their resilience makes them a wise investment, and by raising them, I can secure a steady source of income and improve my overall living conditions. As the days pass, I am committed to working tirelessly, saving every penny, and exploring every opportunity to turn these dreams into a reality for my loved ones and myself."

"Thanks to GiveDirectly, I can hardly believe my eyes as I send my son off to secondary school. It feels like an unbelievable dream come true. With the unconditional money they provided, I was able to cover the school fees and necessary expenses, ensuring my son could pursue his education without any worries. Seeing him proudly don his school uniform and embark on this new chapter fills my heart with immense joy and gratitude."

"As the main supporter of my family, which consists of at least eight people, it is my responsibility to ensure that their basic needs are sufficiently met. To achieve this, I intend to boost my second-hand clothes business to the point where it becomes independent and self-sustaining. Currently, I use the cash transfers to buy more stock, which has been instrumental in its growth. I plan to continue reinvesting the earnings from the business back into buying more stock, which will further enhance its stability and profitability. Once my business is stable and generating consistent income, my next goal is to enroll in college and pursue a course in building and construction. This has been a long-time aspiration of mine, but financial constraints and family responsibilities have hindered me from pursuing it this year. However, with the progress I am witnessing in my business, I am confident that by the next year, it will have grown significantly, and I will be in a better position to afford college tuition."

"The current farming season has brought us great relief as the food we will harvest could last my three children and me for at least four months. This has opened up new opportunities for me, and I have decided to invest in buying goats. In the past, I had five goats, but unfortunately, four of them perished due to a lack of vegetation. However, I am now hopeful that with the ongoing rains, there will be enough vegetation to support the goats. My primary goal right now is to continue buying goats and building up a healthy herd. I believe that by doing so, I can create a source of income that will benefit our family in various ways. In the future, when the goats reproduce, I could sell some of them to generate funds for our household needs, including education expenses and purchasing food."

"My main goal is to save enough money by next year to enroll one of my children in high school after they complete primary school this year. In pursuit of this goal, I intend to keep buying goats and chickens to ensure I have a source of funds. I would be happier to secure education for all my seven children, who are currently attending school. Both my husband and I rely on charcoal burning as our primary source of income, and we equally contribute to support the family's needs."

"The main goal I have set for myself is to venture into livestock keeping, specifically goats and cows. I believe that by rearing these animals, I can grow my wealth and secure the education of my three children who are currently in school. As the sole providers for our family, my husband and I are determined to ensure that our children have access to quality education and a brighter future. Through the growth of livestock, I aim to not only provide for my family's needs but also to develop my financial stability."

"I had an enlightening experience during the operations at GiveDirectly. The officers there did an exceptional job of explaining the program in detail and providing us with the necessary information. Throughout the sensitization meetings, we were treated with the utmost respect and fairness, without any form of prejudice. Overall, I found no issues with the program's operations, and I am grateful for the positive and inclusive environment they created."

"With the help of transfers from GiveDirectly, I was finally able to fulfill my dream of building a kitchen for my family. One of the biggest struggles I faced was managing food expenses, especially during difficult times when money was tight. But with the financial support from GiveDirectly, this burden has been significantly eased. Now, I can provide my family with sufficient meals, bringing joy and relief to all of us. What's more, the impact of GiveDirectly's support extends beyond my household. Many people in our community wisely invested their transfers in purchasing water tanks. This decision has brought immense relief to all of us as we no longer have to go through the exhausting hustle of fetching water for domestic use. Moreover, having access to clean water has improved our health, eliminating the constant worry about the water's cleanliness. This entire journey has been nothing short of life-changing for me and my community. I am filled with gratitude, knowing that we can face the future with renewed optimism and a brighter outlook on life."

"After I received the transfers from GiveDirectly, I used $500 to pay for my grandchildren's school fees. I have four grandchildren attending school, and their fathers, who happen to be my sons, refused to take any responsibility for their education and well-being. It hurt me deeply, but I couldn't bear to see my grandchildren suffer, so I decided to step in and make the sacrifice. It brings me satisfaction to know that I can help them out, especially since they live with me. To make ends meet, I've been selling vegetables in the market. But with my old age, it hasn't been enough to cover all the expenses. Despite the challenges, I had no other choice but to do whatever it takes to ensure everything is fine for my grandchildren. They are my family, and I love them dearly. Apart from the school fees, $50 of the transfers I received went towards buying food. Ensuring that we have enough to eat is essential, and this financial support has been a great help in that regard. I am truly grateful for the assistance from GiveDirectly, as it has lightened the burden on my shoulders and brought some relief to us."