"For over fourteen years since my spouse passed away, life has been incredibly tough. I found myself solely responsible for four children, and I struggled to make ends meet through small businesses, often feeling the strain of it all. However, the most pressing issue was our living situation. My children used to sleep in a cramped, grass-thatched house, especially my two teenage sons. Every winter brought the risk of them getting soaked in the rain, and they never had the privacy they needed, which took a toll on their self-esteem. Finally, thanks to the unconditional cash transfers from GiveDirectly, I was able to realize my long-time dream of providing them with a proper house. The joy and contentment I see in their faces now in this good house make an immeasurable difference in my daily life as a mother. I had once thought this dream was out of reach, given my reliance on small businesses, but I can't express my gratitude enough for the support. May those who made this possible continue to be blessed as they extend their help to others in different villages."

"Housing is the challenge I am currently facing in life. I am living in a one room house with a mixture of iron sheets and grass roof and it leaks during rain season. I am a widow who works as a casual labor and my income goes to food thus I lack the capacity to build a decent house. During rain season I spend the whole night without sleeping."

"My husband and I do not own a piece of land so we are living on a land that belongs to another family related to my husband. Most of the time they have been giving us warning that one day they will demolish our house. This has affected me because I can not do any development project on the piece of land I am living. Lack of land ownership is the challenge I am currently facing in life."

"I am deeply appreciative of GiveDirectly for their support, as the financial transfer they provided allowed me to enrol in and successfully complete a driving school program. Additionally, I used a portion of the funds to secure my driver's license, and I am now actively seeking employment opportunities as a driver. Presently, I am using a friend's motorbike to offer taxi services, although it's not a consistent daily endeavour. While I continue my search for stable employment as a driver, I am planning to allocate a portion of the monthly transfer to savings. These savings will serve as a foundation for my future business venture. My ultimate goal is to establish a general store, stock it with merchandise, and operate it as a self-employed entrepreneur. I firmly believe that this venture will provide me with the means to become financially self-reliant. This is my current aspiration, and by initiating this business, I anticipate being able to address my needs more effectively, benefiting from the profits it generates."

"In the upcoming year and beyond, my primary objective is to construct a new dwelling with two rooms that can accommodate both myself and my three children. Unfortunately, my previous residence succumbed to the force of a powerful wind, resulting in the collapse of its roof. Subsequently, I had to seek temporary shelter with my relatives. Despite the challenges I have faced, I maintain an optimistic outlook. My determination drives me to procure all the necessary materials and embark on the construction of a new home. The prospect of providing a stable and secure living space for my family fills me with joy and hope. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Give Directly for the invaluable financial support they have extended. Their noble efforts have made a significant difference in my life, enabling me to work towards achieving this fundamental goal."

"Building a new house is my main objective. The sight of my current dilapidated house fills me with stress and unease. To achieve my goal, I have devised a plan to save a portion of my monthly stipend specifically for purchasing the necessary building materials. Accumulating these materials will allow me to commence the construction process. The financial support I have received thus far has been instrumental in improving my quality of life, and for that, I am immensely grateful. It has provided me with the means to work towards my aspiration of having a better and more secure home. With each passing month, I am filled with renewed hope and determination as I inch closer to realizing my dream."

"In the upcoming year and beyond, my primary objective is to construct a sturdy and secure house. Currently, my existing house has suffered damage due to strong winds, resulting in a partially blown away roof. Whenever it rains, I am left dismayed as water seeps into the house, causing destruction to my belongings. Building a new house has long been a cherished aspiration, but the persistent grip of poverty has hindered its realization. Despite the challenges I face, I find solace and gratitude in the financial assistance I have received. This support has been particularly crucial during difficult times when I required medical attention and hospitalization. It provided me with the means to navigate through those challenging circumstances, and I am sincerely thankful for it. With the continued aid and support, I hope to overcome the barriers that poverty has imposed on my dreams and aspirations, and finally achieve the goal of building a safe and comfortable home."

"My primary goal is to provide a good education for my children, ensuring they can pursue their studies up to college level. To achieve this, my plan is to expand my current livestock numbers using the monthly transfers I receive. I firmly believe that by investing in the growth of my livestock, I can secure a brighter future for my family. This investment will not only support their education but also pave the way for improved opportunities for them once they graduate from college, enabling them to secure good jobs and lead better lives. Education has always been a priority for me, and I am dedicated to giving my children the best possible chance to succeed academically and achieve their dreams."

"In the coming year and beyond, my main objective is to establish a larger shop dedicated to selling household essentials. This venture holds the promise of diversifying my income streams, ultimately elevating our living standards. To bring this vision to fruition, I am planning to secure a loan from my savings club and I will supplement it with subsequent transfers. Reflecting on my journey thus far, my heart is filled with gratitude and joy for all that I have already accomplished."

"My main goal is to invest in goats and chickens. I plan to achieve this by utilizing the savings I have diligently accumulated over the course of this year. Having these animals on hand will provide a safety net in case of any unexpected emergencies, as I can sell them to address any urgent issues that may arise. The assistance provided by Give Directly has significantly improved our living standards, and I will always be grateful to them for their support"