"I truly believe that the transfer was like a gift from above, sent just when I needed it most to ease my suffering. I had been sick for almost a month, with no signs of getting better. Because of the doctor's strike, I could not get help from the public dispensaries around, and I did not have the money to go to the hospital in town. I usually do casual work for a living, but I was too weak to do anything that month. When the transfer came, I felt a glimmer of hope. I used $5 to get to the hospital, where the consultation was free, but I used $30 for medicine. Thanks to the transfer, I am now feeling much better, and the pain is gone. With $35, I purchased a new mattress to replace the worn-out one, ensuring a comfortable rest. I also allocated $30 for toiletries and stationery for my daughter in secondary school, and $10 for a new uniform for my son in grade 8, replacing the torn one that caused him embarrassment among his friends. I used the remaining amount to buy food for my family of five"

"Before joining the Give Directly program, my livelihood was primarily dependent on selling palm wine and engaging in farming when weather conditions permitted. However, the unpredictability of the climate severely impacted my farming income, leaving me in financial distress. Three years ago, we faced a complete crop failure, forcing us to purchase expensive food from shops just to survive. Since receiving support from Give Directly, my life has taken a positive turn. I've learned the importance of saving and have joined a savings group, where I contribute $75 monthly. By the end of the year, I aim to use these savings to purchase a comfortable bed, mattress, and additional livestock. Currently, I sleep on a worn-out sisal bed that provides little comfort. With part of the financial assistance, I invested in a goat for $23, envisioning its multiplication into a valuable herd. This asset will provide a sustainable source of income even after the program ends. The remaining $4 was used to purchase essential items like soap and detergents. I'm incredibly grateful for the support received from Give Directly. It has significantly improved my quality of life, lifting me out of poverty and providing hope for a better future."

"In the upcoming year and beyond, my primary goal is to achieve two significant milestones for myself and my family. Firstly, I aim to purchase a mattress that will provide me with much-needed comfort and improve the quality of my sleep. This investment in my personal well-being is crucial for maintaining my health and vitality. Secondly, I plan to undertake a complete renovation of my house. My intention is to replace the existing mud walls with durable building stones. This renovation not only promises to enhance the safety and stability of our home but also ensures its longevity for years to come. By investing in these improvements, I am prioritizing the security and comfort of my family. I am deeply grateful for the financial assistance provided by the transfers, which has significantly alleviated the burden I carried in supporting my family. This support has empowered me to pursue these goals and improve our living conditions, marking a positive step forward in our journey towards a better quality of life."

"Before receiving support from GiveDirectly, my family of five depended on casual jobs and my husband's income as a security guard. We had been previously displaced, which left us without a home. With the first transfer, I bought goats and food. The second transfer allowed me to make a down payment on an acre of land for $400, with $600 remaining. Upon receiving the final transfer, I used $400 to reduce this debt to $200 outstanding and built a temporary grass-thatched house, which brought us relief and joy. Previously, we didn’t own any land or a house and faced frequent eviction threats due to unpaid rent. Now, despite owning a plot and having a house, recent rains have displaced us again. My husband had to quit his job, and we are currently living in a nearby school. Additionally, using the remaining $50 from the transfer, I bought a mattress and a bed, though these items had to be left behind in our flooded house."

"I aim to achieve two significant goals with the cash transfers I am receiving. First, I plan to purchase a comfortable mattress to improve my sleep quality and overall well-being. After which, I intend to restart my grocery business. I had started one but had to close because the landlord wanted me out of his premises and later opened his own business, which was eventually passed on to a relative. Determined to revive my grocery business, this time around, I will diversify it and ensure its sustainability and success. I'm grateful for the transfers."

"Life was really hard before. We didn't have nice beds to sleep on. Instead, we had to sleep on uncomfortable mats that hurt our backs. But now, with mattresses, we sleep so much better, and it feels amazing to wake up rested and happy as a family. Before, we didn't have much food, but now we have plenty. Our family is overjoyed. We can finally relax and enjoy our meals together without worrying about where the next one will come from. Our home is full of happiness now. We're not stressed out anymore; instead, we're grateful for everything we have and we cherish every moment we spend together as a family."

"With $40 from the GiveDirectly cash transfers, I was finally able to replace the old, dilapidated mattress my children had been sleeping on for far too long. I then spent $10 to pay school fees for my two children. During this time, my husband's salary had been delayed, making the transfers all the more crucial. To prepare for unforeseen emergencies, I wisely saved $50 in a merry-go-round group, allowing me to accumulate funds and access loans if needed. With only $4 left, I bought food and other household necessities. I am deeply grateful for the transfers, as they have enabled me to make significant improvements to our quality of life. Since receiving them, I've been able to repair our house and even start a poultry farming venture for additional income. Thanks to these transfers, financial struggles have become increasingly rare occurrences for us."

"With the recent cash transfer I received, I paid $25 towards settling the debt on a tailoring machine, an investment for my upcoming tailoring business. I have decided to shift from charcoal burning, which has become less profitable due to the scarcity of trees, to tailoring, a more sustainable business for our family of three children. With $35 from the transfer, I purchased a new mattress to replace our worn-out one. I then bought a goat at $34 for our future income generation. After covering these expenses, I had $8 left, which I spent on buying food for our household. Life has taken a positive turn since we began receiving these transfers. We can now afford essential items and have food, which was a struggle before. I'm deeply thankful for this opportunity, it has enhanced our family's well-being."

"I used $30 to buy a goat. When the transfers end, I wish to have accumulated enough wealth through rearing livestock. This will enable me to support the education of my two children. Personally, I rely on selling palm wine. The earnings from this are just enough for food and not other needs like school fees. So through rearing livestock, I believe that I can accumulate a reliable source of income in the future to cover school fees. I also used $58 to buy a wooden bed. I used to sleep on a sisal-twined bed. The disadvantage with this bed was that I had to replace the ropes every three months because they loosened up and got damaged pretty quickly. The wooden bed is stronger and more durable. I saved $30 through a savings club, and I wish to buy a mattress to fit my wooden bed so that I can have a comfortable sleeping space. I spent another $10 to cover school fees for my children, ensuring that they continued with their education without interruption. I am happy that the transfers have allowed me to provide for needs that previously seemed challenging, like school fees for my children and affording decent furniture."

"I have been saving $10 from my monthly transfers in our merry-go-round group for the past few months. Since I rely mainly on subsistence farming and do not have any source of income, I decided to invest in buying goats. I currently own seven goats and plan to use my savings to buy more when my turn comes. I am also grateful that the monthly transfers have allowed me to adequately provide for my family. I recently had a farming season, but the harvest was very little due to excessive rainfall. I have been relying on subsistence farming to ensure that my family is well-fed, but last season was not successful, and I now have to buy food daily for my family. However, the transfers have been a lifesaver for me because, despite the financial hurdles, my family is well-fed and has enough food to eat. I am at peace with my family because taking three meals a day is no longer a challenge for us. I spent $50 on buying enough foodstuffs, such as maize flour, which was adequate to feed us for weeks. So far, my family is well-fed and has never lacked food, as my household had enough food supplies to serve us for many weeks. In addition to this, I have also longed to purchase a new mattress to replace the old and uncomfortable one that I have been using. After saving a portion of the transfers for the last few months, I finally managed to purchase the mattress for $45. I am now enjoying a comfortable sleep and have peace of mind knowing that I have a good place to sleep."