"I've been trying to renovate my old house for years. The iron sheets were still in good condition, but the supporting poles and the walls had weakened over time, making the whole structure unstable. Unfortunately, I couldn't afford the materials needed for the renovations. When GiveDirectly offered financial assistance, I gladly accepted. With the first transfer, I spent $300 on essential materials like stones, sand, and cement, and hired a mason for $100 to rebuild the entire house. The transformation has been incredible—the house is now stable, looks great, and can withstand any storm. I also covered the $100 fee for my grandson who was sent home from high school because of unpaid fees. He had been missing a lot and falling behind, so I settled the arrears, and now he's back in class with his peers. The rest of the money from the transfer went towards buying food, particularly a bag of maize, which ensured that my family had more than enough to eat. We no longer skip meals, and having three square meals a day has become the new normal for us."

"When I was constructing my house many years ago, I had limited access to building materials. I could only use building poles and iron sheets to build a mud house. I always considered it a temporary solution and hoped to rebuild using stones in the future. However, due to financial constraints, I couldn't gather enough materials to build my dream house. Over time, the building poles weakened, causing the walls to become unstable. The only solution was to rebuild the entire house with stones and cement to make it more durable. When I received my transfer, it provided me with the opportunity to purchase the necessary building materials. I bought two truckloads of stones and sand, as well as several bags of cement to facilitate the renovation. I also hired a mason to do the work. Now, my house has a new stable, decent, and livable structure. Thanks to the support from GiveDirectly, I can now peacefully shelter with my family, knowing that it can withstand heavy rains and storms."

"With my business currently doing well, my goal in the coming year and beyond is to expand it further by purchasing more stock. I plan to allocate at least $10 from my transfers in the coming months to invest in additional stock, ensuring I can meet the growing demand of my clients. To broaden the business, I aim to diversify the products I sell by including fresh vegetables, which will allow me to attract new customers and expand my market. I am optimistic that with the continued support from the financial transfers, I will be able to achieve this goal in the coming months. I am very appreciative of this assistance, which has played a crucial role in helping me gain financial stability and improve my family's well-being."

"After receiving my transfer, I was finally able to build a modern, permanent toilet within my compound, a goal I had struggled to achieve due to financial constraints. I used the funds to purchase building materials such as new iron sheets, ballast, sand, and cement, and also paid a mason for the job. This has made a huge difference in my family's daily life as we no longer struggle to access a toilet. Previously, I had built a temporary, shallow toilet using weak materials like heavy logs and mud walls, which eventually collapsed during a time of financial struggle. This forced us to rely on our neighbor's toilets, which was far from ideal. Having our own toilet was important not only for convenience but also for health and hygiene reasons. I couldn't afford the materials at the time due to illness and medical expenses. Thanks to the recent transfer, I'm grateful to have finally built a modern toilet for my family to use."

"My house is currently in a very poor condition. Without realizing it at the time, I built the house on a pathway where water flows. When the rains came earlier this year, the house started sinking into the ground, and now it is on the verge of collapsing. To make matters worse, the roof is leaking, making the house uninhabitable whenever it rains. My goal is to construct a new house on raised land, away from the water flow. To achieve this, I plan to start by purchasing one piece of iron sheet at a time over the coming months. Once I have collected the necessary number of iron sheets, my next focus will be on acquiring other building materials, like building poles. After gathering all the required materials, I will begin the construction of a new and safer house for my family. I am deeply grateful for the financial support that is helping me care for my family during these challenging financial times. The assistance is not only providing for our current needs but also enabling me to work towards building a safer, more secure home for the future."

"My goal for the coming year and beyond is to save more money from my transfers to expand my house by building a new room. I recently joined a savings group with 10 members, where we contribute a minimum of $20 each month. At the end of the year, we receive our savings along with the interest accrued over the year. My plan is to start the construction of an additional room in January next year, which will make my house more spacious and comfortable for my family. To achieve this goal, I aim to save enough money throughout the year, ensuring that by the time construction begins, I will have sufficient funds for the project. I am incredibly appreciative of the financial assistance, which has significantly lightened my burden and enabled me to better meet my family's needs."

"I went to the farm in the afternoon to gather some leafy traditional vegetables, and I accidentally left my phone at home. Little did I know that GiveDirectly had promised to send us our transfers that week. When I got back, I was greeted by the beaming faces of my family members, and I asked them what had made them so happy, completely unaware that the transfers had been sent. I called my helper to check if I had received mine, and when we confirmed that I had, I couldn't contain my joy. I was eager to withdraw the money and finally buy a piece of land I had been longing for, especially since the place I was living in wasn't mine, and I risked being evicted at any time."

"I found myself in a situation where I was at risk of being forced to leave the piece of land where my family and I had lived for many years. Feuds within the family had become a regular occurrence as we argued over land ownership. Given my advanced age, I no longer had the energy to fight for the land. All I wanted was to have my own piece of land and live in peace. Prior to joining the program, I had already purchased an acre of land elsewhere, which I was paying for in installments. Receiving the transfer helped me pay off a portion of the remaining amount, and I am optimistic that I will soon be able to clear the remaining balance and become the full owner of the land. I am making plans to move with my family to this new location, where I can escape the disputes that have plagued us for years. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for assisting me in making the land payment, which otherwise would have taken several years to reduce the outstanding amount."

"My primary goal in the coming year and beyond is to ensure that my children remain in school and continue their education without any interruptions. To achieve this, I plan to allocate a portion of my monthly transfers towards school fees. By making regular payments, I will clear any outstanding balances and prevent the accumulation of large debts. This approach will ensure that my children consistently attend school and receive the best education possible. Additionally, I plan to purchase iron sheets and other building materials to start constructing a new house. Our current home is in a dilapidated condition, and before it becomes unsafe, I want to begin building a new house. The profits from my charcoal business, along with the monthly transfers, will be instrumental in helping me achieve this goal in the coming months. I am incredibly grateful for the financial support, which is making these important steps toward a better future possible. It has provided me with the opportunity to focus on my children's education and improve our living conditions."

"My primary objective is to pursue higher education. I finished my Form Four studies in March 2022 at Mlanza Secondary School. I am keen on enrolling in an electrical course due to the attainable entry requirements based on my grades. This program typically spans two years. I believe that wiring is a promising field as it offers good prospects for success. While I had planned to commence the course in July, insufficient funds hindered my entry. Consequently, I am determined to continue working hard and saving towards my college aspirations, which I firmly believe will materialize. Currently, I am raising five goats and some chickens, which I diligently care for. Given the rapid multiplication of goats, I intend to sell some to generate additional funds for my tuition fees. I am confident that excelling in this course will not only uplift my prospects but also alleviate my family from poverty. Therefore, I remain optimistic about achieving my goals. I am sincerely grateful to GiveDirectly for their financial support, as without it, I would not have made it to where I am today."