"My house is small, just one room with limited space, and it’s not enough to accommodate visitors comfortably. When I received my first cash transfer, I decided to use $135 to buy 10 iron sheets, planning to use part of my final transfer to purchase the remaining materials and build a bigger house. We only had four plastic chairs, which were not very durable, so I bought a three seater sofa set for $55 to improve our seating situation. At night, we didn’t have enough lighting, so I paid a deposit of $35 for a solar panel, with a daily subscription of $7 to keep it running. I also bought a sound speaker for $80 to entertain us at home and help us to tune in to radio stations for news, as we did not have a television or a radio. Since we lost our crops to floods this year and rely on casual jobs, food has not been easy to come by, as casual work is unreliable. I spent $30 on a bag of maize and $22 on other essentials like sugar, which saved us the stress of worrying about our next meal. My daughter in elementary school had $40 in arrears for school fees, which I was able to clear with the transfer to prevent further accumulation. Lastly, because most of our clothes were destroyed by the flood, surviving with just a few worn pairs was not ideal. I used $60 to buy new clothes for my husband, daughter, and myself, restoring a bit of normalcy after the disaster. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for the support."

"For about six months, the $400 debt we carried after our crops failed due to floods weighed heavily on us. My husband and I do casual jobs, and we tried to reduce the debt little by little with our small savings, leaving a balance of $100. The stress was overwhelming, knowing we still had balance. When I received my first transfer from GiveDirectly, it was a huge relief; we were able to clear our debt completely. Now, we finally have peace of mind and can focus on our needs, something that had no longer been a priority."

"I am planning to renovate my house's roof by replacing the old, damaged iron sheets with new ones. The existing roof leaks during rain, which has compromised the walls of the house. To solve this problem, my top priority is to buy new iron sheets. I've been saving money and have already purchased fifteen sheets so far. I aim to acquire about 20 to 28 sheets since my house is quite large, although I have yet to consult a builder for a precise estimate. I am satisfied with my progress and confident that I will achieve my goal soon. My primary aim is to create a stable and secure house where I can live peacefully with my four children, without the constant concern of leaks when it rains. After completing this project, I plan to venture into livestock keeping, specifically by purchasing goats. I will redirect my transfer funds to buy goats so that I can establish a financial investment to support my family in the future when these transfers come to an end."

"In the coming year, my goal is to use future transfers to continue purchasing food and possibly add more hens. The persistent harsh weather conditions make it difficult to grow crops, so buying food from the shop is essential to ensure I have enough to eat. I also plan to grow my flock of hens, selling some as they mature to cover my other needs. I will set aside a portion of each transfer toward these goals, and I am truly thankful for the support, which is helping me create a better life."

"My son will graduate next August, and my goal is to continue paying his tuition until he completes his studies. I want him to stay focused, free from financial worries, so he can perform well in school. I am confident that his dedication will pay off, giving him a strong chance of securing a good job and a bright future. I am incredibly thankful for the financial support, which has made it possible for me to invest in his education."

"With jobs scarce in the village and the weather making farming impossible, it is becoming increasingly challenging to earn an income. I am forced to buy food from the shop, where prices are high, which adds to the difficulty of meeting my family’s needs. My goal in the coming year is to use the support to ensure we have enough to eat. Until things improve, my focus will remain on providing food for my family through the transfers. I am truly appreciative of this assistance, which is helping me take good care of my family despite the challenges."

"Now that I have moved into my new house, my next goal is to install a door to keep my belongings and myself safe. I also plan to build stone pillars for added durability, which will help the house withstand strong winds and heavy rains. Over the next year, I will save a portion from each transfer, and once I have enough, I’ll work toward these improvements. I am very grateful for this support, which has made it possible for me to enjoy a better quality of life."

"In the coming year, I hope to purchase a solar lighting system for our home. Currently, I use a paraffin lantern, but paraffin is costly, and this method is not sustainable. To make this happen, I plan to save from my future transfers so I can put down a deposit on the solar lighting system. Once it’s installed, I will make small monthly payments, allowing us to enjoy reliable and cost-effective lighting. I am deeply appreciative of the support that’s helping me improve our quality of life."

"My goal for the coming year is to expand my livestock. By investing in more animals, I can eventually generate income from selling them, helping to provide for both myself and my family. To make this happen, I plan to save part of each transfer, and once I’ve set aside enough, I’ll buy another goat. This steady approach will allow my herd to grow gradually. I’m genuinely thankful for the financial support that is helping me achieve this goal and ensuring both my own and my family’s well-being."

"I am truly grateful that my life took a positive turn after receiving financial support from GiveDirectly, which has significantly improved my living conditions. Living in the village, I’ve mainly relied on burning and selling charcoal, which has never been enough to properly sustain my family. Times were tough, and we often went without food or had to skip meals due to a lack of resources. I also practised subsistence farming to provide for my family, but with inadequate rainfall this season, I wasn’t able to cultivate anything. On top of this, my house was in serious disrepair, with weakened walls that were close to collapsing, and I couldn’t afford renovations. The support I received came at the perfect time. First, I spent $220 to buy cement and a truckload of sand, which I’m using to make bricks to reinforce my house. I believe bricks will be far more durable than the old building poles, and soon my home will be stable and secure. To address the recurring issue of food shortages, I spent $240 to purchase enough foodstuffs that will last us for several months. This includes a bag of maize and various cereals, ensuring that my family now has enough to eat every day without missing meals. Additionally, I used $55 to cover school fees for my children, allowing them to remain in school without interruptions. Finally, I spent $35 to buy essential household items that were previously lacking in our home."