"Owning a decent kitchen has always been my dream in life. This is because I was using a small structure that was leaking. Additionally, the roof was almost open and about crumpled down. Most of the time our food was contaminated by sand during preparation. I spent the recent transfer to construct a decent kitchen for myself. Currently, I am happy to cook in a safe and nice place unlike before. In addition, I bought new modern bedding for $210. Previously, I was sleeping on an old traditional thread-twisted bed that was requiring constant replacement through purchasing of new rope. Moreover, I spent $120 to purchase a solar lighting system for my house. Earlier, I did not have a lamp to light my house. I had to ignite the fire to provide the needed light at night. Lastly, I used $30 to pay school fees for the 2 grandchildren who are still in primary school."

"I have desired to build a decent and spacious house for my family. This is because we have been living with my 6 children in a small leaking structure and almost open. It was such a pathetic condition during the winter period as kids were always diagnosed with cold-related illnesses. I spent the recent transfers to construct a modern two-roomed, mud-plastered house for the family. Nowadays, I am glad we are living in a nice shelter courtesy of the aid from GiveDirectly. Moreover, I used part of the remaining amount to acquire new furniture that are bed and mattress, table and chairs. Lastly, I bought a solar lighting system for my house. At the moment, I am happy to get enough light at night and my children can now afford to do their night studies at home."

"I have relied heavily on farming for the last three years to make a living. I had to give up farming when the drought hit our region, so I started working manual labor jobs like building houses to support my family instead (wife and six children). My children are split between primary and secondary education, with three attending secondary school. When compared to how much I make each day, the school expenses I must cover for my kids are very high. As a result, I made the decision to start a poultry farm and sell chicken eggs to make a living. I was able to buy some layers with the money I had saved from previous transfers, who have since multiplied and now number 73. To ensure the security and comfort of my flock of chickens, I spent the entire $34 in transfers I received in December building a coop. In order to ensure their visibility at night and to increase production, I also purchased a solar light. Last but not least, I used $10 from the December transfers to purchase starter mash, which will help the hens grow effectively. I'm grateful that the funds have given the construction of the chicken coop a significant financial boost. With the project up and running, I am confident that I will have a secondary source of income that will enable me to cover my children's school expenses and also buy food for the family."

"I was using rechargeable solar lighting bulbs that I purchased on a hire-purchase basis and paid for in weekly installments. Even though I had not been consistent in making the payment, I am grateful that they were considerate enough to continue lighting up my home. They turned it off the month before I received the transfer because I had defaulted a lot and had to look for a full amount to be given the services back. The first transfer bailed me out when I paid off a $70 debt, allowing me to enjoy lighting as well as the use of a radio that came with the lighting equipment. Previously, I was reliant on a grocery store that I had to close because my mother became ill and I needed to be there for her as well as my three school-going children. I am glad she's feeling better and can cook for herself again. I also built a new house to replace an old hut that was almost falling. Termites had destroyed the walls, and the roof leaked during rainy seasons. I spent $300 on construction materials and labor charges. We are now content to live in a warm room.  I also paid $50 in school fees for my three children and purchased five chickens and two ducks for $25, with the intention of breeding and selling their products and chicks in the future. The remainder was later spent on food for my family of five, as well as miscellaneous expenses during the Christmas season."

"I spent $125 on new bedding and a new bed after receiving the first transfer. For a long time, I had been sleeping on old rags on the floor, which had caused severe back pain. I was concerned about the potential health consequences, but now I am grateful that GiveDirectly has changed my story. I also spent $40 on expanding and bringing in more birds to increase egg production and thus generate additional income. I also spent $65 on new clothing and shoes for my family of five, $5 on a new storage bag that I am currently using to store my clean clothes, $5 on new utensils, and $20 on school fees for my three children. In addition, for $78, I purchased a solar lighting system that included a battery and three bulbs and spent the remainder on food items such as rice, sugar, baking flour, wheat flour, and other items used during Christmas celebrations."

"Through GiveDirectly my live is improving greatly because I was able to buy some of the solar lights and I wasn't having the plan to buy such light which cost 256 USD but through their program I was empowered to do such. So I recommend that GiveDirectly continue their great job in future to help change the lives of others in Liberia at large."

"GiveDirectly is doing well by giving us money to sustain ourselves because lack of money brings about worries. Imagine me to be able to buy a solar light all because GD has given me money and has left me with the choice of how to spend it."

"My aim is to take my kids to school and put a solar lighting system in my home. I already have the small Delight lights for $5 in the house; I, however, want $300 worth of solar lights for my home. The small lights are very limiting since I have to move around with them, which usually means the rest of the people within my home are left in darkness. I will be required to pay $0.5 a day for these lights, so I will be setting aside $1 a month for these payments once I have them installed to ensure my house is continually lit all year round. I also want to spend some of this money taking care of the needs of my children in college. I do not make much from the small business I run out of my brother's shop since it can only sustain basic needs. I hope to direct these transfers to the areas I told you about since I have not had much time to take care of them."

"I spent portion of my fourth transfer to pay my children school fees, I bought new zinc, bought new solar light, pay the manpower that are sawing my plan for my house and invest the balance portion in my agriculture business."

"My husband works in a maize mill company in Kilifi town in the packaging department. Together we have five children and it has been a struggle to support us since he is the breadwinner. I spent my first transfer on buying three goats and furnishing the house with three mattresses and a bed for the family. I paid the remaining amount for my children’s outstanding school fees and bought them new school uniforms. The second transfer of $300 was used to lease a piece of land because I wanted to take advantage of the rainy season. My children were straining to do their schoolwork at night, hence bought solar lights for the whole house, which cost me $15. I have also started rearing goats, which prompted me to buy another goat and two chickens for $22. The rest of the money we used was in buying food because my husband was late in receiving his salary."