"When I received the unconditional cash transfer, I prioritized paying off the school fees arrears for my three children in secondary school, which cost me $200. Education is very important to me, and I didn’t want them to miss any more classes due to unpaid fees. Clearing their balances brought me a huge sense of relief, knowing they could now focus fully on their studies without the worry of being sent home. I also spent $100 to replace my bed and mattress, which were destroyed by floods. For months, I’d been sleeping on sacks and mats, and finally having a proper bed again felt like a return to dignity and comfort. It was a long-awaited change, and I’m grateful to have a place to sleep that provides me with proper rest. With the remaining money, I bought household essentials, including two bags of maize to ensure my family had enough food. Food security has been a constant concern, so securing this supply was a top priority. I also set aside a small amount for emergencies or additional food needs that may arise. This support has truly helped me stabilize my household and provide a better environment for my family."

"For a long time, my children and I have been sleeping on uncomfortable beds made of ropes, without proper bedding. I’ve always wanted to change our sleeping situation. Thanks to my previous transfers, I was able to buy a bed and mattress for myself. Now, my goal is to get another bed and mattress for my children so they can sleep comfortably too. To achieve this, I plan to save a portion of my future transfers to eventually buy them their bed and mattress. Additionally, I have been repairing my house, and I am just a small amount away from completing those repairs. I intend to use another portion of my future transfers to finish up the work. Once the house is complete and my children have their new beds, I will feel incredibly happy. I never thought I would be able to achieve these things, but thanks to the transfers, it is becoming a reality. After that, I plan to invest a portion of my transfers into goats, hoping they will multiply in number and value so that in future I will have something to rely on when this program comes to an end."

"Transforming my home and my family’s life has been a dream, and the unconditional cash transfer made it possible. I spent $50 to purchase a sofa set, something I had long admired but never had the chance to buy. With no chairs in the house, having a comfortable place to sit has truly improved our living space. Furthermore, I used $180 to buy three goats, as I already had some at home. The goats will provide milk, which is expensive in local shops, costing about $1 per liter. With my family consuming around two liters a day, having my own supply will help us save money in the long run.Additionally, I invested in a mattress and bed for my children since they were previously sleeping on the ground. With eight children, it was important to ensure they had a comfortable place to rest. Now, they sleep much better, and I feel a sense of relief knowing they are taken care of. I also spent around $20 on clothes for my family, as we were in desperate need of new outfits. The remaining money went toward purchasing food, which was essential since we were previously struggling to eat only once a day. Life has changed significantly since I received this support. My husband, who primarily farms, lost a lot due to flooding, which affected our resources and living conditions. We were temporarily displaced, losing utensils and food supplies. Now, instead of burning charcoal or searching for casual jobs, we can stay at home, eat three meals a day, and focus on rebuilding our lives. This cash transfer has truly been a blessing for our family."

"We currently live on less than an acre of land where I manage all our activities, including keeping goats, sheep, and chickens. Unfortunately, these animals often ruin my crops, making it difficult to sustain our farming efforts. Since our land is near the river, it’s ideal for crop farming; however, I realized I needed to buy another piece of land to build our house and keep the livestock separate. I paid $200 for half an acre of land, and I plan to clear the remaining $100 with my final transfer, ensuring I can dedicate our original land purely to crop production. Additionally, our living situation had become quite uncomfortable; we’ve been sleeping on old maize bags because we did not have a mattress, which made our nights rough. The bed board has hurt our backs for years, so with part of my transfer, I purchased two mattresses, one for me and one for my children, each costing $50. Food has also been a challenge since I lost my maize to floods earlier this year. I had to rely on casual jobs and charcoal production to provide for my four children, so I used some of the funds to buy maize for $38 and condiments for $30, addressing our immediate food needs. To further support our food security, I rented half an acre of land for $25, where I plan to plant maize. I hope this will help us reduce our food costs in the future. Moreover, I realized how long it had been since we bought new clothes, as we had been relying on secondhand items. I spent $50 on new clothes for my children, and their joy was noticeable. The remaining $7 went toward transporting these items home from town."

"The moment I received the cash transfer, I felt a wave of hope wash over me. My previous toilet had been destroyed by floods, leaving my family without a proper place to go, and I knew I needed to act quickly. So, I used $250 to construct a pit latrine. It was not just about having a toilet; it was also for the dignity of my family and the comfort of our visitors. I could finally welcome guests without feeling embarrassed about our situation. Furthermore, I managed to pay $50 for my children's school fees with the help of my husband, who is a police officer. Education is crucial for our children’s future, and this payment lifted a significant weight off my shoulders. I also spent $60 on a new mattress, as the old one was in terrible condition. Sleeping without proper support had taken a toll on my health and well-being, and now I could finally rest comfortably at night.Lastly, I allocated $90 to buy food. Before the transfer, we relied solely on farming, but the floods had submerged our maize, causing us great losses. Life was difficult, and we often struggled to make ends meet. Now, with this support, I could provide my family with proper meals and focus on rebuilding our lives. This cash transfer has truly transformed our situation, giving us the security and stability we desperately needed."

"Purchasing sheep has been an important step for me, as I used $120 to buy two. With young children who need a solid education, I see these sheep as a stable future investments once they multiply, I can sell some to cover school fees and other expenses. Owning livestock gives me peace of mind, knowing that I have a resource to rely on for my children's future. Furthermore, I made a $100 down payment to buy a plot of land. This decision came after facing the stress of living on borrowed land, where the owners were pushing me to leave. Securing my own land will finally give us stability and remove the constant worry of being forced to relocate.In addition, I spent $30 to buy a mattress for my children. Though they already had a bed, they were lying directly on wooden planks covered only with sacks, so getting a proper mattress was essential for their comfort. I also used $30 to buy clothes for my family, as we had very few and couldn’t afford new ones with the little I earned from casual jobs. Being able to provide basic needs like clothing has lifted my spirits and helped me feel more secure in caring for my children. Finally, the remaining money went toward purchasing food for my family, as we had none at home. The timing was perfect, as the cash transfer arrived when I had a newborn who needs my attention, making it difficult to go out in search of casual work. With three children to care for and having separated from my husband one year ago, working alone is challenging. Now, my family and I enjoy having plenty of food at home, and I am truly grateful for this support. It has made a huge difference in our lives and has allowed me to focus on building a better future for my children."

"Receiving GiveDirectly transfers is a huge relief for my family, as financial challenges have kept me from pursuing many of my ambitions. I plan to use the first transfer to stock up on food and purchase household items like a chair, table, and mattress. For the second and final transfers, I aim to invest in poultry and livestock farming to diversify my family's income and secure our future."

"Currently, I have 10 goats, and my plan for this year and beyond is to continue using a portion of my transfers to purchase more. My hope is that these goats will multiply and grow in number and value, giving me something to rely on in the future, especially when this program comes to an end. In addition, my house is in urgent need of renovations as it is on the verge of collapsing. To improve it, I have been buying building materials using my previous transfers and I intend to continue using another portion of my future transfers to gradually buy more building materials to enable this project to come to fruition. Once the repairs are complete, I intend to allocate some of my transfers toward purchasing a new bed and mattress, as the ones I have are worn out and uncomfortable. I want to make sure I can sleep comfortably at night and have a good rest. I am hopeful that I will be able to achieve all these goals, and I am truly grateful for the support GiveDirectly has provided."

"Although my main priority this year is to buy a modern bed for myself, as I currently sleep on an uncomfortable traditional bed made of ropes, this focus has changed due to the severe drought affecting our area, which has resulted in a lack of food and water. Consequently, I am spending my limited income on food to support my family. While I am saving, when it’s my turn to access those savings, I plan to use it to stock up on food to ensure my children don’t go hungry. Once the rains come, I anticipate a good harvest, allowing me to shift the money currently spent on food towards purchasing a bed and bedding as I originally intended. For now, I must endure sleeping on the ground, but having a proper bed and mattress will greatly enhance my living conditions and provide me with peace of mind. I am truly grateful for the achievements I have made so far and look forward to a brighter future."

"Having a place to call my own has always been a dream of mine, especially after separating from my husband three years ago. I was living at my brother’s house, which was not ideal for me and my three children. With the unconditional cash transfer, I finally had the chance to construct a one-room house made of iron sheets for $350. This new home is a significant step towards stability and independence, allowing us to create our own space. In addition to building the house, I allocated $60 to buy a bed and mattress. Previously, I was using my brother’s bed, but now I have my own things, which brings me a sense of comfort and pride. I also set aside $40 for food, as we had been struggling to make ends meet. This money helped me provide meals for my children and allowed me to take a break from casual jobs, giving me the chance to focus on our new home and family life. Life has improved significantly since moving into my own house. I no longer carry the stress of living in someone else's space, and I feel more secure in my situation. My children are happier, and I can now plan for our future without worrying about where we will sleep at night. This cash transfer has truly changed our lives for the better, and I am grateful for the support that made this possible."