"It was around 6 am when I heard my phone buzz with a message. Since I could not read, I called my grandchild to check what it was all about. She quickly glanced at the screen, and with a big smile, she told me it was a confirmation that I had received my first transfer. At that moment, joy filled my heart, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief. The first thought that came to my mind was how I could finally fix a fresh water tap at home. For years, I had been fetching water from a distance, and the thought of having clean water nearby made me so happy. I knew this transfer would change my life in ways I had only imagined."

"I am a mother with four children, and I rely on casual jobs to provide for my family. When I received my first transfer of $550, initially, I had planned to use it to fix a fresh water tap at home because, for years, I had been fetching water from a very exhausting distance. However, life had other plans. My husband became seriously sick, and his condition worsened quickly. I had no choice but to change my priorities. Every penny of that $550 went towards his medical expenses. The hospital bills were overwhelming, and even after using the entire transfer, I still needed to find more money to cover his treatment. This situation was difficult, but I had no choice but to focus on my husband's health. I managed to find additional funds from other means to ensure he received the care he needed. Though I couldn’t achieve my original goal of fixing the water tap, I am grateful that the transfer helped me in this urgent and critical time. Taking care of my family’s health always comes first, and this support allowed me to handle an emergency."

"Living a life of debts is what has robbed away my joy as a mother. I am currently struggling to offset my loan of $5384.6 that I took three years ago. Being a widow, I assumed all the household responsibilities. Since I have four children in school, I have never had peace of mind because I am forced to borrow loans to support them. My teaching job is currently not reliable since I use the salary to offset the monthly installments. In a month, I am required to pay $176.9. This leaves me with $61.5 only from my salary, that I use to cater for other household needs. Imagine working for a whole month and only to receive this amount! It is so demotivating. Thus, finacial constraints stands out to be my biggest challenge."

"As a family of four, we face a significant challenge when it comes to securing funds for my child's education. Education is incredibly important to us, and it weighs heavily on my mind, especially when my child has to stay home for more than a week due to unpaid school fees. This situation is distressing, as I know how much she wants to learn and be with her friends at school. Currently, my husband is unemployed, which adds to our financial strain. He relies solely on his motorcycle taxi services to bring in any income, but the earnings from that are hardly enough to cover our basic needs, let alone the costs associated with my child's education. The constant worry about meeting essential expenses while trying to prioritize her schooling creates a cycle of stress and frustration for our family. We hope to find a way to alleviate this burden and ensure that my child can continue her education without interruption."

"In the coming year, my goal is to continue with the necessary repairs to my house. I plan to purchase stones and additional cement to reinforce the walls, which have developed cracks. This will ensure my home is safe to live in and durable against future weather conditions. I also aim to keep up with the monthly payments on the solar lighting system to ensure I can continue enjoying the benefits of reliable lighting. By allocating a portion of each transfer toward these goals, I can work steadily toward maintaining a safe and well-lit home. I’m deeply appreciative of the financial assistance, as it’s empowering me to live more independently and with peace of mind."

"As a family of nine, we encounter a variety of challenges on a daily basis, with the most pressing issue being the financial burden of school fees for our children. Currently, I have five kids who rely entirely on me and my spouse for their educational expenses. My spouse is not formally employed and primarily engages in casual labor. While these sporadic jobs help us meet some of our necessities, they fall short of providing the financial stability needed to cover our children's educational needs. This has led to a constant struggle to make ends meet. For instance, during this current school year (2024), the financial strain has been particularly severe. Regrettably, three of our children were unable to attend school for over a month due to unpaid fees. This situation has created a great deal of anxiety for us as parents, as we know how crucial consistent education is for their development and future opportunities. The missed days in school not only hinder their academic progress but also put a significant strain on their motivation and self-esteem. It truly keeps us awake at night, worrying about the long-term impact this will have on their education and overall well-being. We desperately hope for a solution to this overwhelming challenge so we can provide our children with the education they deserve."

"I am committed to managing my health condition with care and following my doctor’s instructions to ensure I live a healthy life. To do this, I plan to use a portion of my monthly transfers to buy the medicine I need, making sure I stay on top of my treatment. At the same time, I have always dreamed of owning livestock, so I also intend to use part of my transfers to purchase more goats and ducks. I am hopeful that over time, these animals will multiply and provide me with a reliable source of support, especially when this program eventually comes to an end. I am truly grateful for the assistance I have been receiving,as it is giving me the opportunity to build a better future for myself."

"The biggest differences since receiving cash from GiveDirectly have been in my comfort, independence, and security. Firstly, having a comfortable bed and mattress has made a world of difference. Before, I was sleeping on an uncomfortable makeshift bed, but now I look forward to bedtime each night, knowing I’ll wake up feeling happy and well-rested. This simple change has improved my overall well-being and mood each day. Secondly, having enough food at home has given me a sense of independence. As an elderly person, it’s difficult for me to go out and earn money. Now, I don’t have to rely as heavily on my children for food, which has brought me peace of mind. Lastly, strengthening my fence has enhanced the security of my home and my small poultry. I now feel safer, knowing my chickens are protected and that my home is secure. Thanks to GiveDirectly, I am happier, more self-reliant, and feel safer each day."

"Since I started receiving this money, the biggest changes have been in hygiene and food security. Mentally, I feel at peace knowing I have enough food at home. GiveDirectly has enabled me to afford a variety of foods, which has even helped me recover from ulcers. Another major difference is having a toilet now. It has improved my family’s overall wellness and restored a sense of dignity. Having a safe, private space for hygiene has been invaluable for us. Thanks to GiveDirectly, these essential needs are now met, and my family’s quality of life has greatly improved."

"Now that my mental health is improving day by day, I have a new goal: to build a two-room house. For so long, I've been sleeping at my mother's house, which I feel ashamed of because both she and I need our privacy. I plan to accomplish this goal by selling one acre of land that my father left behind, with the full support of my family members. I want to heal completely and fulfill this dream. Once I achieve it, I'll finally have the protection I've been missing, and by the time I start my own family, I'll be well-prepared with proper shelter."