With every sunrise, I dream of the day when I can finally bring my vision to life. Once I have enough money, I'll construct strong pillars to make my mud-wall house stand tall, resilient against the relentless test of time. And I won't stop there; I'll ensure a cement skirting envelops its base, guarding it against the ruthless downpour that has been destroying the mud walls. With these upgrades, I'll provide security and peace of mind for my family, safeguarding them from nature's uncertainties

In my experience, GiveDirectly is simply amazing. It's like a lifeline that pulls people out of poverty and offers them a chance at a better life. What sets it apart is the genuine care it provides. They don't just give money and disappear; they stick around, follow up, and ensure you're doing well. It makes you feel valued. In all my interactions with GiveDirectly, I haven't seen a single instance where they did wrong.

Upon getting the second transfer, I used $100 to do plumbing since I wanted to have a freshwater tap at home. Getting fresh water was challenging because of the distance. Now the connection is complete. This simple change has already made a huge difference in our daily lives. No more long walks to fetch water, and no more worrying about the quality of the water we were using. It's a small change, but it has made our lives so much easier and healthier. I also paid a debt of $80 to a contractor who constructed my house using the first transfer. This was a weight off my shoulders, and it's amazing to finally have that burden lifted. My house is not just a structure; it's my family's home, and knowing that it's paid for brings a sense of security and peace of mind. After that, I bought a bed and a mattress for $131. Now, I sleep well and comfortably, unlike before when I was on old, worn-out mattresses. The quality of sleep has improved, and it is reflected in my daily life. Plus, I've saved the rest of the money aiming to do a cement floor for the house and fix some windows. With these improvements, our home will not only be more comfortable but also safer and more resilient to the weather.

Around 4 in the afternoon, as I returned from a ceremony in the neighboring village, my phone pinged with a notification that changed my life. It was the unconditional cash transfer from GiveDirectly I had been waiting for. My heart raced as I realized that this transfer meant I could finally turn my dream of owning a house into reality. The weight of financial uncertainty lifted off my shoulders, and an overwhelming sense of happiness and gratitude enveloped me. I called all my relatives and shared the news with them, but they couldn't hold their joy as well.

The most profound transformation in my life has been the newfound security of a home. I vividly recall kneeling in church, fervently imploring God to bless me with a shelter that could alleviate the stress that plagued my family. The initial dwelling, though once adequate, could no longer contain the expanding needs of my growing family and our possessions. As a mother, unease gripped me, my heart aching for a stable environment for my children. The prospect of constructing a new abode loomed distant, as it would have taken me years to accumulate the funds myself. Yet, with the blessing of GiveDirectly, the burden lifted; a solid roof over our heads became a reality, and the weight on my shoulders lightened, forever altering our lives for the better.

With the sum of $450 at my disposal, I decided it was time to transform our living situation. The first step was addressing the issue of privacy. Our previous dwelling was nothing more than a cramped shelter, unable to contain the growing needs of our family. With determination, I directed some of the funds towards purchasing building materials: sturdy poles, iron sheets, timber, doors, and nails. As the construction progressed, a sense of hope blossomed within me. No longer would our possessions be exposed to prying eyes and vulnerable to the whims of weather and theft. This was a haven in the making, a spacious sanctuary where my husband, our two children, and I could thrive without the constant shadow of uncertainty. And then, with a portion of the remaining funds, I settled a long-standing debt of $100 with a friend who had sold me a piece of land—two acres of opportunity. Clearing the debt brought an incredible sense of relief and empowerment. The land was now truly ours, a canvas on which we could cultivate crops to sustain us and provide a stable home for our future children. As I stood on the land that was now fully ours, I couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for the unexpected blessing that had transformed our lives.