In the upcoming year, my primary goal is to secure a fresh water tap for my household. My health has taken a toll, and I find myself unable to walk straight, constantly bent due to an underlying health condition intensified by years of doing casual farm labor to make ends meet. The physical strain from these laborious tasks has significantly impacted my well-being. The neighborhood taps, once easily accessible, now seem like distant wells, especially given my health limitations. Having a fresh water tap at home would not only alleviate the physical strain of fetching water but also ensure a more sanitary and convenient living environment. As I look forward to the coming year, my hope is to improve my health and make everyday tasks more manageable, starting with this essential step towards securing access to clean water.

I am impressed by GiveDirectly's impactful intervention in my life. Through their unconditional cash transfer, I was not only able to secure a stable roof over our heads in the form of a new home but also relieve the burden of my husband's medical expenses. The simplicity and directness of their approach made the entire process smooth and efficient. The flexibility they provided allowed us to address our most pressing needs with the financial support they offered. The positive outcomes I experienced underline the effectiveness of GiveDirectly's goal. In my view, their services are exemplary, and I believe that nothing should be changed about the way they are transforming lives through their direct and empowering assistance.

Receiving the unconditional monthly cash transfer was a lifeline for me and my family. I used a larger portion of the money, to complete the construction of our 2-bedroom house. We had been living in a cramped one-bedroom space with my last-born, partitioned only by a curtain, enduring leaks during rainy nights. The children are excited and actively joined in the construction, turning it into a family project. Pili, my youngest, couldn't contain her joy at the prospect of having her own room. Gone are the days when I stood in the rain, waiting for it to pass, as my bedding got soaked. Another significant part of the cash transfer went towards my husband's medical expenses; he has been unwell since May. Previously, I worked as a farm laborer, earning a mere $2 a day, barely enough for food. Now, with the financial support from GiveDirectly, I am relieved that I can finally focus on my husband's health and witness the dream of a secure, rain-free home come true. I find myself telling the rain to pour down on me for the last time, knowing it will never catch me unprotected again. The unconditional cash transfer has not only improved our living conditions but has brought a renewed sense of hope and happiness to our family.

It was around 3 p.m., and I was busy bagging up my dried maize under the sun's warmth. While I was in the middle of this task, a notification tone dinged from my phone. Thankfully, my helper was with me, and he read out the message for me. Hearing that I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly, a rush of emotions overflowed in me. I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of joy and relief. Since I can't read or write, having someone there to help me understand the message was a blessing. A fountain of happiness flooded over me as I realized that my long-cherished dream of building a spacious, comfortable home was finally within reach. The weight of worry that had been pressing on my shoulders seemed to lift in an instant, replaced by a sense of hope and anticipation for the future.

The main differences that were brought by the transfer from my previous way of living are accommodation and access to food. Although I am still living in my small-leaking house, I am optimistic about moving to my house soon because it is almost complete. This will enable me to live happily and content since I will be comfortable even during rainy days. Additionally, we used to struggle to get some food as a family. At some point, we had to go for up to two days a week without meals. As of now, this has become history since the time I received a transfer from GiveDirectly. As a family, we have been getting our meals comfortably unlike before.

I was overjoyed when I received the cash transfer from GiveDirectly. With $285, I bought strong iron sheets and building poles to construct a new house. My old one was tiny and leaked whenever it rained, causing us endless discomfort. The construction work is now in full swing, and each passing day brings me closer to a safer and more spacious home. The thought of my family living comfortably under a solid roof fills my heart with hope and happiness. Additionally, I wisely spent $50 on buying food. Before, I had to rely on sporadic casual jobs like burning and selling charcoal just to put meals on the table. But with this extra money, I was able to stock up on essential groceries, ensuring that my family no longer goes to bed hungry. The weight of financial worry has lessened, and I can now focus more on improving our living conditions and securing a better future. The support from GiveDirectly has truly brought positive change to our lives, and I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to build a better life for my family.