My husband doesn’t have his own piece of land, and we therefore live on his grandparents’ land. Our dream has always been to own a piece of land we can call home, and if anything happens to us, our two sons will have a place they own as their home, but we could not realize this as we both did not have a stable source of income. We are manual laborers on people's farms, which is also seasonal. My parents, on the other hand, were on the verge of taking me back home because my husband had not yet paid any dowry. I love my husband so much, and the thought of me being sent back home was really depressing. GiveDirectly came to our rescue and made our dreams come true. They swept us off our depressing issues, and this was so overwhelming. On the second transfer, I spent $320 and completed paying for a ½-acre piece of land in our village, and I am hopeful that soon enough we will move to our own home. I gave my husband $100 for the dowry payment because I did not want to go back to my parents. I also spent $30 on a she goat to add on to the two goats that I already have. It is believed that the breed that I bought gives birth twice a year. I am therefore hopeful that they will multiply so that I can sell some of them to pay school fees for my children and invest in business. The rest of the transfer went into food and savings.

As it stands, GiveDirectly is operating flawlessly. Since each of us is unique, our wants are all met in unique ways as humans. When money is involved, it allows people to prioritize their demands based on their level of stress, going from the most to the least important. That being said, I don't think they should alter anything and should just carry on as is.

My goal is to establish a garment and textile business in my community using the money I saved from the transfers. My goal is to grow and eventually own a large store, but for now I will be operating my business from home. I will be able to secure my sons' future by using this business to support their education and well-being. As a mother, all I want is to watch my kids happy and not be without the necessities of life.

With $550 in hand, I immediately set out to address some long-standing issues. First and foremost, my husband and I were tired of living on his grandfather's land, constantly fearing eviction. We decided to invest $16,000 in purchasing building materials—iron sheets, building poles, timber, and nails—to construct our own house on a piece of land we bought for $150 as a down payment. The thought of having a place to call our own filled us with pride and a sense of security we had never known. Finally, we could create a stable and comfortable home for our growing family. With the house construction underway, I also utilized $70 of the money to buy goats, which I saw as a long-term investment. These goats would serve as a financial safety net, allowing us to sell them in case of any unexpected financial constraints. Additionally, I used $120 of the cash to buy a comfortable bed and mattress, replacing the traditional bedding that had caused us discomfort for so long. I no longer woke up tired every morning, and it was a small but significant improvement in our quality of life. Lastly, with the remaining funds, I ensured that my family of four had enough food on the table. My husband, as a casual laborer with an inconsistent income of $5, needed all the support he could get, and this cash transfer was a lifeline that allowed us to build a better future for our family.

The biggest difference since I received the money is that I now have goats. I settled for them because they can thrive in my region, and their ability to reproduce quickly surpasses that of other domestic animals. It's truly remarkable how these goats have transformed my family's prospects. I believe they will serve as a valuable safety net in case of emergencies and play a pivotal role in my children's educational journey. For years, it has been an uphill battle for my husband to provide for our family due to his lack of a steady income. The addition of these goats to our household offers a glimmer of hope. As they multiply, their offspring can be sold or traded, ensuring a constant source of income that will help us cover daily expenses and secure a brighter future for our children. The unconditional cash transfers from GiveDirectly have been a lifeline, and now, with these goats, we have a tangible asset that promises stability and opportunities we could only dream of before.

I can still remember it being exactly 2 PM when I returned from a community meeting, exhausted but hopeful, only to find a new message notification on my phone. Upon checking, my heart raced as I realized I had received the cash transfer from GiveDirectly. A surge of joy and relief washed over me, and I immediately shared the incredible news with my husband, his face mirroring my excitement. As I sat down to contemplate the possibilities, I couldn't help but think of the new bedding I desperately needed. For far too long, I had endured restless nights in a shabby environment.