"I recently welcomed a new child into my family, which has made it difficult for me to engage in small businesses as I did before. My spouse, who runs a small business, has now taken on the role of the sole breadwinner while I focus on caring for our newborn. When I received my last transfer, I allocated $34 to purchase a mattress for my children since their old one was worn out and no longer usable. I also invested $25 in a goat, recognizing that goats breed quickly and can provide additional income in the future if I encounter financial difficulties. This purchase serves as a form of financial security for me. Additionally, I spent $9 on new clothes for my children, as they needed presentable outfits. Lastly, I used the remaining $34 for medication. It was fortunate that I received the transfer just a day before my delivery, which allowed me to manage my medical expenses effectively."

"When I received the money, I saved $20 as the first step in my project to build a new house in the near future. My current house is small and barely accommodates my entire family, including my grandchildren, with whom I live. This situation has caused me a lot of stress. Since I do not have enough money at hand, I thought that coming up with this strategy would help make my dream a reality soon. I believe that fulfilling this dream would allow me to accommodate all my family members and keep my belongings safe, bringing me peace of mind. Later on, I bought a mattress for $28, which I am now using. Initially, I was sleeping on the floor on mats, which was a very uncomfortable experience, causing me a lot of pain at night. I was exhausted, as this had become a daily routine. I had been yearning to own a laptop for quite some time, but since I don't work anymore, earning an income to support this purchase was a nightmare. Additionally, I used $54 from the transfers to buy food for my family, which lasted us a while. It serves as a reminder to my family that we now rarely go to bed with empty stomachs, which has helped us stay healthy and energetic."

"This year and in the years ahead, my main goal is to complete building my house. Thankfully, I already have all the necessary building materials, so my plan is to use part of my transfers to hire labor and get the construction finished. Once the house is complete, I will use another portion of my transfers to buy a bed and a mattress. Right now, I sleep on a mat, and it is uncomfortable, so having a proper bed would make a huge difference for my rest and well-being. Additionally, I really need to buy new clothes. My current clothes are worn out and very few, so I will use some of the transfers to get what I need and feel more presentable. I also plan to buy a big metal box to store my clothes properly, which will help keep everything neat and organized. I want my home to be a comfortable, presentable place, and I want to feel good about myself as well. Additionally, with the ongoing dry spell, I will continue to use a portion of my transfers to help my mother support our family with food, because it is important that we stay strong through these difficult times. Lastly, I plan to use another part of my transfers to buy goats. I believe this will be an investment for the future. My plan is to raise them and hope that they multiply so that I will have something valuable to rely on when this support program eventually comes to an end. I am incredibly grateful for the support that GiveDirectly has given me and my family."

"When my son fell seriously ill, I had to step in to help cover his large hospital bill, contributing $20 toward the total. Thankfully, he has now been discharged, and his health has improved significantly. I also spent $32 on food. Due to the harsh weather, farming in our village has been impossible, so we’re unable to harvest anything from the land. To get by, I have been purchasing food from the shop, where prices are very high. I’m grateful for the financial support that allows me to buy food for my family. In addition, I bought a new mattress for $50. My previous bed, made of sisal twine, was very uncomfortable and often left me with back pain. Now, I am finally able to sleep comfortably, which I hope will put an end to those aches. I am truly appreciative of the support I’ve received, which has helped transform my life."

"I have always dreamt of having a proper bed and a mattress to rest on, especially since I am currently sleeping on a bed made of ropes with no mattress on it making it very uncomfortable. Finally, I managed to pay off the bed, but now I’m focused on saving up for a mattress. Recently, I was able to complete payments for the bed that I wanted. Now, my plan for this coming year is to set aside a portion of my transfers, little by little, until I have enough to buy a comfortable mattress. Just imagining having a comfortable place to sleep fills me with hope and gratitude. After that, I want to use part of my transfers to buy goats, adding to the few I already have hoping that they will multiply and increase in number and value so that in the future I may have something to rely on. Additionally, with my health being a concern at my age, I also plan to dedicate part of my transfers to seeking medical care and ensuring I can manage my nutrition so I can live as healthily as possible. I feel incredibly thankful for the support I get from GiveDirectly."

"My house is quite small and needs some repairs, along with an extension of one room to make it more comfortable and provide me with a private space. My plan for this coming year and beyond is to continue saving a portion of my transfers in a merry-go-round group. Once I receive the pooled funds, I intend to use them to renovate my home and add that much-needed room. Additionally, I want to buy a bed and mattress with the pooled funds because right now, I am sleeping on a bed made of ropes without a mattress, and it is very uncomfortable. Having a proper place to sleep would make a world of difference in my life especially with my age and condition. Once I achieve these improvements, I will continue saving a portion of my transfers and use the funds to buy goats. My hope is that they will multiply, providing me with a reliable source of support when this program comes to an end. I am excited about these plans and the possibilities they hold for my future!"

"Receiving my first transfer was a relief, and my first priority was to pay for a school trip for our two children, who were on the verge of being locked out due to unpaid fees. The trip cost $15 per child, and I could not imagine how they would feel if they missed out on this opportunity. Additionally, I gave my wife $40 to buy clothes for the children since their clothes were worn out. I also gave her $60 to purchase a bed and mattress for our children, as they had been sleeping on the floor on a worn-out mattress, which was unsafe due to the risk of snakes. Now, I no longer have to pray for their safety every night. Knowing they are sleeping well on a new bed and mattress gives my wife and me peace. With the remaining $70, I addressed another pressing concern: food. After we were displaced by the floods, starting over has been challenging, especially since my wife is currently unemployed and my income is limited. We bought food that sustained us for a while, and I am grateful to say that we still have some left. For the first time in a while, I did not have to worry about food, allowing me to focus on other needs. Thank you, GiveDirectly."

"Looking ahead, my goal for the coming year is to purchase a new mattress. While I now have a wooden bed, the sisal twine mattress I currently use is still uncomfortable. A new mattress will greatly improve my sleep and increase my comfort. I plan to use my next financial transfer to achieve this goal. I am deeply thankful for the continued financial support, which is helping me not only reach some of my personal goals but also provide for my family's basic needs."

"The biggest difference I’ve seen after receiving the cash from GiveDirectly is that I finally have a stable bed and a new mattress. My old bed was so broken that I’d sometimes fall over in the middle of the night, and the mattress was so worn out that I would wake up with sore ribs and feeling exhausted. It was frustrating to start each day already tired, even before doing anything productive. Now, with a sturdy bed and a comfortable mattress, my nights are peaceful, and I sleep through the night without any trouble. When I wake up, I feel refreshed and full of energy, ready to tackle whatever the day brings. It’s such a relief knowing I no longer have to deal with those restless nights. This change has made a huge impact on my daily life, and I’m really grateful for it."

"When I received the cash transfer, my first thought was to help my brother in college. He had arrears of $100, and without clearing them, he couldn’t attend his classes. I knew how important it was for him to stay in school, so I took care of that immediately. I also had to support my niece, who is in Form 1. She had been sent home because of unpaid school fees, so I used $80 to settle her dues and get her back to school. Next, I decided to improve my living conditions. I spent $100 on a bed, two plastic chairs, a mattress, and some curtains because the ones I had were worn out, and I needed a fresh start. I also used $15 as a deposit for a pay-as-you-go solar system since I had been relying on a torch for lighting at night. Having proper light at home was a small but significant change. The rest of the money went into long-term investments. I bought construction metals for $30, planning to use them for building soon. I also used $100 to lease an acre of land where I’ll plant maize next year. This way, I’m hoping to increase my income and ensure food security. Every coin I spent was purposeful, addressing immediate needs while also securing my future."