"In a few months, I'm looking forward to finally completing the construction of my house. It's been a long journey, but soon I'll have a place to call my own. No more sleeping at my daughter-in-law's house, which has been a bit uncomfortable at times. Having my own space will bring back a sense of dignity and independence that I've missed. Another thing on my list is to invest in good bedding, something more comfortable than the traditional rope bed I've been using. It's been causing me pain lately, and I know a modern bed with a nice mattress will make a world of difference. These may seem like simple goals, but they mean the world to me. I'm determined to see them through and make life a little easier for myself."

"My mental illness has been a significant obstacle for me for years. Despite being young, I struggle to take care of my personal needs and rely on support from my relatives. Life was challenging before I enrolled into the program. There were times when I missed meals because I could not afford food, and my behavior sometimes alienated my relatives. I am incredibly grateful for the financial support from Give Directly. With the assistance and planning from my brother, I can now afford to buy enough food to eat. I spent $40 on food purchases, ensuring that I never go a day without a meal. I also bought a new mattress for $25, as my old one was worn out. Additionally, I invested $11 in new clothes, allowing me to look neat and presentable. I saved $2500, which will be used for my rehabilitation process at a mental health facility. I am hopeful that this treatment will help me recover and lead a better life ahead. I am very happy and grateful for the financial support that has transformed my life for the better."

"Having completed the construction of my house, my next goal this year and beyond is to purchase a bed and a wooden mattress. Currently, I own a sisal twine bed, which is not comfortable and often leaves me with severe body pains. Acquiring a new bed and mattress will ensure that I get good sleep and alleviate my body aches.I am very happy and deeply appreciative of the financial support. It has greatly helped me achieve one of my long-held goals, and I look forward to further improving my quality of life."

"In the coming year and beyond, my biggest dream is to finally sleep like a king in my own home. Every night, I wrestle with discomfort on a small, creaky traditional bed that leaves me more tired than rested come morning. But now, with the support from GiveDirectly and the savings I've diligently tucked away, I'm on the brink of transforming my sleeping situation entirely. My goal is to buy a modern standard bed and a mattress that will cradle me in comfort and provide the rest I've longed for. It's not just about upgrading my sleeping arrangements; it's about reclaiming my energy, my vitality, and my zest for life. With this newfound comfort, I know I'll wake up each day refreshed, ready to tackle whatever challenges come my way, and finally able to dream without the weight of exhaustion dragging me down."

"I spent a significant portion of my first transfer to buy building materials, including 14 iron sheets, building poles, timber, and nails, to build a new house. My two children were struggling to find a place to sleep at night, and as they are older, it was not feasible for them to stay in my house. I wanted them to have their own space and privacy, so I decided to build them a house. I was worried that their current situation might expose them to bad influences and affect their school performance. When I received the first transfer, I made it a priority to address this issue by building the house for them. I am relieved that they now have their own place to stay. I also purchased a new bed and a mattress for them, costing $150, and made sure they had comfortable bedding. Additionally, I spent $65 on buying two goats, which I intend to breed and sell their offspring to support my future financial needs. These goats are valuable assets to me and will serve as a financial safety net."

"The transfers from Give Directly have been a significant help to me. Thanks to this financial support, I was able to take a motorbike on hire purchase, an opportunity I wouldn't have been able to risk otherwise. When I received my most recent transfer, I had two main priorities. First, I spent $68 on a mattress and a bed because my children were previously sleeping on the floor, and I wanted to improve their living conditions, which were quite dire. Additionally, I allocated $85 to pay off my motorbike loan, adding some of my personal earnings to cover the full amount. I am deeply grateful to Give Directly for their support, which has been crucial in managing these expenses."

"I purchased a sewing machine valued at $190 to start my tailoring venture. Four years ago, I trained in tailoring college but I was yet to obtain the equipment due to financial constraints. Previously, I had a second-hand machine that eventually broke down, leaving me without the means to continue my business. Despite earning daily profit of $1 from selling donuts, saving enough to buy a new machine seemed impossible. With the sewing machine in hand I started doing small tasks like repairing clothes. Weekly, I can earn at least $5 from this endeavor, supplementing the income from my donut sales, which improves my ability to provide for my two children. Moreover, the state of my house had been dire, with its mud walls collapsing. It had gotten to a point when the space would dampen during rainy weather, making it unbearable for my two children. Therefore, I allocated funds to purchase building poles for wall repairs, covering labor and water charges, totaling $150. Additionally, I allocated $70 to buy two mattresses—one for my grandmother and another for myself. Previously, we endured uncomfortable nights, with her sleeping on a mat and me on an old mattress. The remaining funds were used to purchase more utensils for the household and buy more food for my children. We were almost running out of the maize produce we had harvested, and so the transfers came in perfect time. I could never be more grateful!"

"For one year, my children have been spending nights in a bed without a mattress. This means they used rugged materials as their beddings, a situation that never gave me peace of mind. Every morning, they could complain of body pain, something that worried me most about their concentration in school. In December 2023, their aunt bought them a new mattress. What a surprise! This has ensured them decent bedding and I am happy since this has put a smile on them. Thus, I consider this as what has brought me joy."

"In the coming year and beyond, my aspirations soar beyond the confines of my current circumstances. First and foremost, I am determined to secure the security of the house I constructed with the generous assistance of GiveDirectly transfers by fixing the door. Next on my agenda is acquiring a bed and mattress, luxuries many take for granted but which would profoundly enhance my quality of life. As I dream of a more comfortable sleeping arrangement. My current situation is not pleasing as I sleep on the ground of an uncemented house, which is not the kind of life I desire but circumstances have forced me. To turn these dreams into reality, I've devised a simple yet steadfast plan of saving $5 every month, a modest but meaningful contribution towards my goals. Despite the challenges ahead, including the ongoing need for medical check-ups and sustenance, I approach the future with unwavering determination and a heart brimming with hope."

"For nearly 5 years, my 5 children have been sleeping on sacks. Often, used to complain of body pains, sometime being bitten by insects but due to financial challenges I could not get one for them. However, after the mother secured a job in town, the first thing she did with the earnings was to purchase a mattress for them. This act brought immense joy into my life because they now sleep comfortably."