"I am physically challenged, and my life has never been easy, especially after I lost both of my parents. Since then, I have been living at my uncle's place, where I still stay to this day. However, as I am still single, I’ve been thinking about the future. One day, I will need to start my own family, which means I’ll need a place I can call home. So, I decided to use $400 to buy an acre of land in a nearby village. In the future, I plan to build my house on this land and start my family. Additionally, this land will serve as an asset that I can rely on in case of a pressing need; I could even use it as security if necessary. I also used $40 to pay school fees for my three nieces, who are in primary school and live with me. Later, I bought two goats for $60. These goats are another valuable asset, and I’m confident that soon I will have many more. This will help ensure I don’t face financial struggles in the future. With the remaining $50, I bought enough food to sustain us for a while, and we’ve been able to enjoy three meals a day, which is a big improvement from before"

"I received a message on my phone, but it was still dark outside, so I decided to wait until daybreak for my son to help me read it. When morning came, I woke up to the exciting news that GiveDirectly had sent money. I called my son to check the details for me. As he read the message aloud, a wave of joy washed over me when he revealed that I had received my first transfer. I had been dreaming of building a new stable house since my old one was in terrible shape, and this was the perfect opportunity to make that dream a reality. I felt truly grateful for the support."

"Before I received the transfer, I was living in a house that was in pretty dire shape. Over time, the walls had weakened significantly and were close to collapsing. To prevent disaster, I had to prop them up with poles, which was not an ideal situation. Renovating the house seemed impossible since I couldn’t afford the necessary building materials. It wasn’t until I got my first transfer that I decided to construct a brand-new home using stones, sand, and cement. With the funds, I purchased two truckloads of building stones, sand, and several bags of cement, and now I’m in the process of building a two-room permanent house for myself. I’m thrilled that this new home will finally bring me the peace and comfort I’ve longed for after living in a mud house that had been in such poor condition for years. I look forward to completing the construction and enjoying a beautiful home like everyone else, free from the struggle of finding decent shelter."

"Currently, I'm facing a lot of challenges. Since I'm an internally displaced person because of banditry I don't have a house of my own. This has made life difficult for me and sometimes I get stressed because I left my home only to live in a borrowed house."

"Before GiveDirectly came to our area, I had a small grocery business that provided some income to support my family. Unfortunately, the business collapsed, leaving us without a steady source of income. Now, I want to invest part of my transfer into reviving the business. Life has become very difficult. My spouse works as a motorbike taxi operator, but the little income he earns isn’t enough to sustain us, and he often has to work late into the night to make ends meet. Thanks to the transfers we receive from GiveDirectly, things have improved. These cash transfers have allowed us to start rebuilding and creating a more stable income source. Reviving my grocery business will help us cover essential expenses, including school fees for our children, easing the financial strain on my spouse. In addition to that, we are saving part of our income to buy my husband his own motorcycle, which will give us two reliable sources of income. Currently, he rents the motorbike he uses, which leaves him with very little earnings after paying the rental fees. Owning a motorcycle will significantly improve our financial situation and help us build a more secure future for our family."

"In 2014, I completed my hairdressing course at Kituro Polytechnic, hoping to become self-employed. I have always dreamed of opening my own salon, but I currently lack the capital to get started. Right now, I practice on call and sometimes attend to customers at their doorsteps, but I feel like I am missing out on so many opportunities due to a lack of equipment. As a family of five, we rely solely on my husband Mike to provide for us, which is a lot of pressure for him. If I had the capital, I could help bridge that gap and share the financial responsibilities. I am determined to find a way to make my dream a reality and support my family in the process."

"In the coming years, I plan to focus on large-scale farming, engaging in both livestock and crop production. I want to help my community by selling chicks at a lower price, making poultry farming more accessible for everyone. Additionally, I am praying to purchase more incubators to maintain high poultry production and also sell eggs. I aim to save the money I earn to finance my children's school fees, ensuring they receive a good education. Furthermore, I want to purchase several plots of land, which will serve as valuable assets for our future. With hard work and dedication, I am determined to build a better life for my family and contribute positively to my community."

"In the coming years, my plan is to build a better house and ensure my children can attend a good school. My main focus will be on farming, as I now have a generator at home that will help me irrigate my crops effectively. With this new setup, I believe my farming will improve significantly. Currently, my house is made of grass and mud walls, but I dream of having a house with iron sheets that will provide better protection for my family. I want to create a safe and comfortable living environment while also securing a brighter future for my children through their education. With hard work and dedication, I am determined to achieve these goals for my family."

"After the devastating floods destroyed our agricultural farms, my family faced a bleak future filled with uncertainty. Receiving the cash transfer felt like a lifeline, providing us with an opportunity to rebuild our lives and invest in agriculture once more. I decided to use $210 to purchase sheep, aiming to improve our living situation and establish a source of income for the future. The sheep also serve as a constant reminder of the support we received from GiveDirectly. Furthermore, I spent $80 to lease land and $50 to manage my farm, enabling us to grow food and secure our family's basic needs. With this additional capital, I feel more confident in providing for my three children and my wife, seeing this as the best investment I could make for our future. This investment is crucial, as it will indirectly help me cover my children's school fees. With the remaining $110, I bought food to ensure my family has enough to eat. In the past, I relied on casual jobs and burning charcoal to meet our basic needs, but those sources of income were often unreliable. Now, thanks to the support from GiveDirectly, we have a stable supply of food at home.We are incredibly grateful to GiveDirectly because our lives have truly changed for the better. This assistance has given us hope and a chance to work toward a brighter future. I am determined to make the most of this opportunity for my family's sake, ensuring we never have to face such hardship again."

"In the coming years, I want to accomplish several important goals for myself and my family. Right now, my main focus is on paying for my own school fees, as I believe education is crucial for a better future. Once I finish my studies, I will shift my attention to paying for my children's education, ensuring they have the same opportunities I’ve worked hard to achieve. Furthermore, I plan to marry another wife who can help me raise my two boys and support our family. I envision that all the income to support these goals will come from my farming efforts, which I am committed to growing and improving. With dedication and hard work, I am confident that I can create a stable and promising future for my family."