I am thankful for the progress I have made in educating my children with the financial support from GiveDirectly. As a parent, I have always wanted the best for my children, and seeing them succeed in their academic goals has been my priority. Although I have faced many financial hurdles in raising their fees, I am grateful that the transfers have helped me pay their fees on time, allowing them to continue their studies without interruptions. My current goal is to help my children achieve their educational goals and complete their studies. To support them, I have started burning and selling charcoal as my only source of livelihood to raise their fees.

I can categorically affirm that GiveDirectly has effectively reduced poverty for me and my fellow villagers. Each of us encountered unique challenges in our households, and receiving the unconditional transfers was undeniably the best approach. This empowered us to take charge of our situations and significantly enhance our quality of life. As a result, we now have new homes, improved shelters, livestock ownership, water taps installed in many households, and our children regularly attend school.

When I received my second transfer, I made it a priority to build a house for my children. They had been struggling to find shelter, and most nights, they had to stay in neighbouring households. My own house was too small to accommodate them all, so I felt helpless seeing them go through this trouble. I spent $300 on building materials such as iron sheets, poles, nails, and timber to construct the house. Finally, I have a sense of peace knowing that my children have a comfortable shelter to call their own. I feel grateful for the progress that I've made for my children. In addition to the house, I'm pleased to have invested in livestock, which are valuable assets for my family's future. I bought a heifer and two goats, spending $160. This adds to my existing livestock, as I already own two cows and six goats. I plan to breed them and sell the offspring in the future to support my children’s education, including high school and college fees. I spent the remaining amount from the transfer on paying school fees for my children and buying food for my family.

It was a sunny afternoon, and I was knee-deep in the fields, clearing away the overgrown bushes, when my phone buzzed with a notification. Wiping the sweat from my brow, I pulled it out to see the message that I had received the promised cash transfer from GiveDirectly. My heart soared with joy and happiness, and I couldn't help but shout in excitement. At that moment, all the dreams and needs I had put on hold due to lack of money flashed before my eyes. The first thing I thought of was finally being able to buy enough food for my family and pay school fees for my three school-going children. It felt like a heavy weight had been lifted, and I knew that life was about to change for the better.

For years, my family and I often went hungry, sometimes enduring entire days without food. But everything changed the day I received a cash transfer from GiveDirectly. Now, we enjoy three meals a day, and the constant worry of hunger is a thing of the past. The joy didn't stop there; I used the money to buy a proper bed and a mattress. I used to wake up sore and exhausted from sleeping on an old, worn-out mat, but now, I wake up refreshed and full of energy. This gift has transformed our lives, providing comfort and stability that I never thought possible.

When I received my GiveDirectly cash transfer, my priority was my three children's education. With $60, I paid off their school fee arrears, ensuring they wouldn't be sent home anymore. I wanted to make a lasting investment, so I bought a cow for $130 and a goat for $30. These animals would provide milk and eventually more income. For the first time in years, I also treated myself to some comfort, spending $50 on a mattress and $60 on a nice bed. Finally, I could rest without waking up in pain every morning. I used $16 to renovate our mud-wall house by putting in a cement floor, reducing the lice and termites that plagued us and weakened our house. With the remaining $50, I bought food to support my son, who works as a casual laborer and carries the heavy burden of providing for us. The relief and joy I felt were immense. Thanks to GiveDirectly, our lives have improved, and I can finally see a brighter future for my family.