"I bought 3 bundles of zinc to build a new house for my family and I. The current house I stay in has leakages all over. Even if I put new thatch (parpo) on the roof, it still leaks. Whenever rain falls, it drops in the house similar way it drops outside. This has caused my children to experience severe cold thus leading to cough. Having a new house with zinc roof will change our lives for the better. I so spent some of my transfer on my cocoa farm to help sustain me in the future."

"When I got my first transfers from Give Directly, I was overjoyed and grateful. The village's way of life was getting intolerable because we were no longer able to rely on farming, which was our main source of income. We haven't practiced farming for the past three years because we haven't had any rain. For a total of $275, I invested in seven goats so that I could start a livestock farm. Given that we can no longer work on the farm, raising livestock would be a good alternative source of income. Additionally, I spent $67.5 on broiler hens. I've wanted to start a poultry project for a long time, but I was unable to do so due to a lack of funding. Along with using the money to purchase various livestock, I also spent $6.6 to purchase six pieces of iron sheeting for the construction of a larger church. The church building where I serve as an elder was too small to hold a large gathering. We pooled our resources with those of the congregation to purchase iron sheets so that we could grow and construct a larger church. The remaining funds were then used to purchase food and chicken feed for the hens so they could grow quickly and be ready to be sold at the market."

"The biggest change I've noticed since starting to receive payments from Give Directly is the financial boost that enabled me to completely renovate my home. I had been bothered and troubled for a long time by the state of my home. I couldn't build a better house due to my family's poverty. I'm glad that I now reside in a more secure and improved home than I did previously. For my husband, who doesn't have a nice house, I'm building an extra room. I'm very happy about how my life has changed."

"After receiving my first transfer, I experienced two positive changes in my life. First, I succeeded in taking my daughter to secondary school. Despite my wish to enroll her, it was tough for me because I did not have money. She would still be at home if I did not receive the transfer. Secondly, I was able to apply for municipal water. As soon as it is fixed, I will have a water supply at my home. As a result, I will be relieved of the stress of traveling a considerable distance to fetch water. We had been suffering from water scarcity due to drought, having to go a significant distance to collect water."

"From the time I received my transfer, I have experienced a significant improvement in the way of our lives. Previously, I was stressed because I could not afford to buy food or pay my school fees. Since receiving my cash transfer, I have felt some relief in terms of paying school fees and purchasing food for my children. I am glad that all five of my children are enjoying their academics. In addition, I have been able to obtain sufficient nourishment. Formerly, I was reliant on my husband, whose income was insufficient for my family."

"Eight years now! This has been a period of hardship in my life since I was diagnosed with high blood pressure. Our area's main economic activity being charcoal burning, I find it tough for me to engage in this work because of my condition. This means I have to depend on my son to provide me with food and other basic needs. Since he has a family to take care of, sometimes getting his full support is a challenge and in some cases, I forfeit meals. Skipping meals has worsened my condition since I am still on medication. This situation has robbed away my joy because I am always in stress. What a life!"

"My main sources of income are charcoal and community health volunteer work. The CHV work is not reliable since my payment of $20 come after a month. This pushes me to engage in charcoal burning as my alternative job. Although it's time-consuming and energy-intensive, I have been doing this for a long time and I am currently feeling weak. Our combined efforts with my husband from this job earn us utmost $90 per month, which goes to food and supporting my 3 children in school. Since this income is low, my children have sometimes missed classes, a situation that has greatly affected their studies. This is a worrying circumstance as a mother and I always feel the pain of seeing my child at home."

"I wish to be able to build a new house in place of the current one, which is in bad shape and I fear that it may collapse. Since I lack a source of income, and my husband’s earnings from his motorcycle taxi and small vegetable-selling business are mere, my construction resources are limited. However, through the cash transfers, there is an ideal chance for me to build the house; I particularly want one with two rooms, made of mud walls and iron sheets roof. In the short run, I plan to continue saving money through my self-help group and withdraw it at the end of the year to start the project.  "

"In the next year and beyond, I would love to have gained financial stability, where I can support the education of my three children without straining. Keeping livestock is the surest way I could develop myself and accumulate future wealth. By the end of the year, I intend to have bought at least four goats, which I can later exchange for a cow when they multiply. "

"Now that I obtained my first goat through the recent cash transfers, I hope to acquire more in the future. Owning this livestock will acquire me enough wealth that I can use to raise money for my family’s needs. Despite the strict financial obligations like food in my household, I wish to have bought two more goats by the end of the year. "