I am nowadays a woman of dignity and value since I managed to buy cows and paid dowry. My husband is a casual labor with meager earnings who could not save and fulfill the cultural dictate of legalizing our marriage. I feel happy and honoured since I love my family. I have hope for the future in that I have bought enough iron sheets in readiness to built a better house and establish my home. There is a lot of freedom in one's home as most decisions for development are never frustrated by other people who think they have full authority to decide on my wishes and destinies. I have a sugarcane farm that is of economic value which I shall eventually harvest and use the money to pay school fees for my children when they get to secondary and college level. Thanks for GiveDirectly.

GiveDirectly gave power to the powerless, voice to the unheard and joy to the sorrowful. The unconditional cash transfers have literally liberated people from worries and stress. People have built houses of their choice, paid, school fees in arrears, others have ventured into business, prepared their farms in readiness of planting. People bought food and ate well. There is happiness in faces of everyone that embraced the program

I spent the transfer on buying some iron sheets in readiness to construct a better house. I am living in a single room house that serve as bedroom, sitting room and kitchen. It is also small in size which makes it so uncomfortable when visitors come. I intend to built a spacious house with enough rooms and a separate kitchen. My children will find a room to study and sleep. I spent some part of the transfer on leasing some part of land on which I have planted sugarcane. I hope that it will mature in the next two years and be part of the sustainable income for my household. I used the remaining part on buying food for my family.

I now own items that I would not have bought in the near future. I never owned seats before and would sit on stools and jerrycans. Thank you GD,you have changed my life.

I knelt down and thanked God for giving me such an amount without having to beg or sweat.I never thought I could have such an amount in my life.

We spent part of the money to purchase a cow and other items which were used for my dowry payment. I then used the remaining amount to purchase household items such as chairs and utensils.