My son finished high school three years ago, but I couldn't readily afford to send him to college. He's since then been waiting for an opportunity to continue his studies. With my financial situation and three other children in school, it was challenging to raise the money. I earn about $6 a week from burning and selling charcoal in the village which has been my only source of livelihood and I struggled to sell at times. When I received the first transfer, it was a huge relief to us. I used $120 from the transfer, added to some savings that my son had, and finally managed to enrol him in college. I believe that when he completes his course, he will be able to secure a job in future with his certifications. In addition to enrolling my son in college, I also built a new, spacious house for my family. The initial house was small, weak, and nearly collapsing. I spent $300 on buying building materials, including 14 iron sheets, poles, and nails, and paid the mason for his services. I also bought a new mattress for $55 to replace the old, worn-out bedding to ensure my family has a comfortable sleep. With the remaining amount, I bought enough food to last us for a few weeks and ensured that my family comfortably enjoyed three meals a day.

I come from a polygamous family, and the house we lived in was very small and on the verge of collapsing due to its age and wear. I have always wanted to build a spacious house where my family and I can live comfortably, as the old house was not safe, especially during heavy rains. However, the cost of building a new house seemed out of reach for me as I rely on burning and selling charcoal to make a living, which doesn't earn me much. I can only sell charcoal worth $6 in a week, and this isn't enough to cover our basic needs, including the school fees for my four children. With these financial burdens, saving for a new house seemed impossible. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for their support which made my plan possible after receiving the transfer. With their assistance, I was able to purchase iron sheets, nails, and building poles to construct a new two-roomed house. I now live in a safe and secure home, no longer worried about the rains. Additionally, I was able to use the support to send my son to college, fulfilling a dream deferred for three years after he completed high school.

I was at home in the evening with a group of friends from the neighborhood. We were discussing our day's activities, and everyone expressed their eagerness to receive the money promised by GiveDirectly. Although we knew the transfer dates were approaching, we were unsure of the exact dates. Then, I received a notification on my phone. Since I can't read messages on my phone, I asked my helper to check for me. I was ecstatic when she informed me that I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I was thrilled to share the news with my friends since they were also waiting to receive their transfers.