My next goal for this year and beyond is to improve my quality of life. Right now, I only have one set of clothes, as the floods swept away everything I owned. I plan to buy more clothes so that I am properly dressed and also to purchase essential household items, like utensils, to make sure my home has the basics it needs. I am eagerly waiting for the final transfer from GiveDirectly, which will help me make this plan a reality. The thought of being able to fully recover from the shock of the floods fills me with happiness. It means not only restoring my life to what it was before but even taking a few steps forward to rebuild and create a better, more comfortable life.

I truly love the GiveDirectly program. I have never experienced anything like it before. Being trusted with cash to solve my own problems has been life-changing. This support has given me the freedom and dignity to address my needs in the best way I know. I have no recommendations for improving the program because I have no issues with it; everything about it has been wonderful. All I wish is for more blessings to come to GiveDirectly, so they can continue helping others as they have helped me.

When I received $450 from GiveDirectly, I already had a plan for how to use it. I had been deeply affected by recent floods, which swept away my home and left me in a life-threatening situation. As an elderly person who spends most of my time at home, not having a proper place to live was truly distressing. I used $300 to buy construction materials, and I’ve since built a new house in a safer area, far from the risk of floods. Now, I feel secure and can live peacefully again. During this time, I also became ill, likely due to the cold and exposure to mosquitoes during the flooding. My vision and hearing were affected, making daily life difficult. I spent $25 on medication, which has thankfully restored my health, bringing me back to my normal self. The rest of the money went toward buying food, as it’s essential for my well-being. I no longer do casual jobs and generally rely on my children for support, but GiveDirectly’s assistance has allowed me to be less dependent on them. Now, I can afford my own food, which has improved my quality of life and brought greater ease to my family.

In the evening, I was at home with my son, who helps me out frequently due to my old age. He was using my phone most of the time. Filled with joy, my son came to me and shared the wonderful news: I had received $180 from GiveDirectly. I was overwhelmed with gratitude and happiness, as I had never received such a significant amount of money before. It felt like a prayer answered. My first thought was to use this money to buy construction materials and build a new house since the floods had destroyed my old one.

Since I started receiving transfers from GiveDirectly, the biggest change in my life has been the ability to consistently have enough food. Previously, after returning from the camp following the floods, I was surviving on just one meal a day. Now, I can enjoy three meals a day, which has made a significant difference in my well-being. Another major impact has been my ability to start recovering from the damage caused by the floods. With stagnant water surrounding my damaged house, I was at a high risk for diseases like malaria. The GiveDirectly transfers have allowed me to buy construction materials to begin building a new house. I am hopeful that this new home will be completed soon and will be located away from the stagnant water, offering me a safer and healthier living environment.

Recently, when I received a $180 cash transfer from GiveDirectly, I saw it as a chance to transform my life. The floods had devastated my house, and the stagnant water around it was creating a breeding ground for mosquitoes and waterborne diseases. To address this, I decided to use $140 to buy construction materials so I could begin rebuilding my home. With the remaining funds, I plan to complete the house, which will allow me to move away from the stagnant water and live in a better, more permanent home. Additionally, I used $40 to buy food. Living alone but close to my son, I had been struggling because we had been in a camp for a month, and once we returned, it was hard to find food due to my financial situation and the lack of available farms. This money has been a lifesaver, helping me secure a safer living environment and essential nourishment.