"The hardest thing in life is being a widow who used to depend on their spouse for a living as a housewife. Life has not been a walk in the park since the day I laid my husband to eternal rest. As I remember the cash day vividly, I was washing clothing for my children when I heard a message tone from my phone as the sun was almost setting. I used the message as an opportunity to take a quick rest while checking my phone because I was exhausted. The information was heartening once I internalized it. When I noticed the first transfer from GiveDirectly had been transferred into my account, I leaped up and down with joy. I sobbed because I had never since birth received such a large sum of money all at once."

"Receiving this transfer has been the beginning of my life transformation. Before, I was living in a hat-like house because it did not fit the caliber of a structure for a human being to live in. Broken walls and old-leaking grasses were used in the roofing is what my house was all about apart from being small and muddy inside when it rains. Therefore, I opted to buy some building materials to construct a one-room mud-walled house with an iron sheet roof plus a sitting room. I bought 19 pieces of iron sheets for $171, building poles, and roofing nails for $38. As of now, the contractor is on the site and he is building the house. I also set aside his labor charge which is $100. I am very happy about getting a nice house very soon that safely accommodates my family well courtesy of GiveDirectly. Thereafter, I paid $20 school fees for my son who had been sent out of school for fees. Since I had been relying on charcoal burning, I opted to save the remaining amount as I figure out the suitable investment that I will venture into to do away with the tiring charcoal burning business."

"Initially, the scrabble was true-to-life. Getting some food was a big challenge since I solely relied on making and vending charcoals which was not a dependable business. I used to go up to at least two days a week without food. Currently, I am very grateful for the support I received from GiveDirectly because it has transformed my living status. I have now taken a break from going to the forest to make charcoals for sale yet I get food not like before. This could not be the case if it were not for GiveDirectly."

"I spent the money I had just withdrawn on 20 pieces of iron sheeting, 4 ridges, construction poles, rafters, and roofing nails. Due to the terrible condition of my grass-thatched house, the goal was to build a new one rather than attempt to repair it after obtaining the transfer. The house, which frequently leaked during rainy seasons and had walls that were so broken that you could see everything happening outside while inside, sleeping peacefully was a dream I never imagined coming true. There was no protection for my life or the possessions I had in the house. These supplies cost $342 in total. The building process has currently begun, and the contractor's labor will cost $100, which I have already placed up for him. In addition, I paid $100 in school tuition for my five children, who are entirely dependent on me now that their father has passed away. While the other four are in elementary school, one of them is enrolled in secondary school. I thought it would be wise to spend the remaining money on the family's maintenance because I had to rely on charcoal burning for existence, which was quite taxing."

"Lack of water for home consumption and livestock use is a challenge. I fetch water from a nearby borehole at a cost of $1 for six twenty litres containers. I consider it expensive because I must also purchase fuel for my motorbike since it is far. If I had piped water within my compound it could be easier."

"The persistent drought has resulted in scarcity of water in this area. As a result, we have to fetch water from a borehole that is two kilometers away. It is very expensive and tiresome considering one has to use a motorbike and in a day it costs $2 inclusive of water for livestock."

"Lack of a stable source of income is the biggest challenge. My husband and I do casual jobs to earn a living but due to the lack of rainfall, it is scarce. We get an average of $8 a week which is hardly enough to sustain my family's needs. If I had a constant flow of money, my life would be better."

"I bought mattress and blanket because I sleeping in coldness"

"There many improvements in livelihood of my family. Now am planning to build since I have now bought iron sheets."

"I was at my place of work , I felt so happy in my heart, I sat down and played for give directly and I thanked God for their kindness. Thereafter, I called my husband and informed him, and he he told me not to panic but continue working until the normal time for closure. Then I would come home, and we plan .our first thought was to buy livestock ."