"At my advanced age, I never imagined I wouldd be making significant changes in my household, as I always expected my children to take over and ensure I aged gracefully. However, the entry of GiveDirectly into our village seems to have rejuvenated me, allowing me to fulfill long-held aspirations with their financial support. After investing the first two transfers in various projects, I allocated $200 from the final transfer to obtain construction materials, including sand, 12 bags of cement, and transportation costs for renovating my house's dusty floors. Previously, cleaning was a challenge, often complicated by infestations of fleas from livestock and pets. Now, I am delighted that the house is clean and easy to maintain, with just a cloth and water. I also made several other improvements, such as purchasing a new mattress for $28, four plastic chairs for $28, and other household items totaling $37. Since then, I have enjoyed comfortable sleep on my new mattress and feel more confident hosting visitors with ample seating. Additionally, I used $25 to seek medical attention when unwell, purchased a sack of maize for $50 to sustain my family of three, bought a goat for $50 to add to my existing herd, and still managed to save $30 for future household needs. I am profoundly grateful for this generous support, which has significantly improved our lives and filled us with hope for the future."

"One of my children recently obtained a sponsorship to join a boarding high school. Since the sponsorship covers only her tuition, any additional expenses fell on me. Therefore, I had to purchase boarding essentials such as a mattress, water storage jerricans, a cup, a plate, and books, using $34. Meanwhile, her sibling was also joining secondary school, and I contributed $20 towards her school fees. Also, I allocated $14 to boost my palm wine business, which I had previously used to cover the school fees of my children when they resumed school earlier this year. Furthermore, I noticed that one wall of my house was caving in, posing a risk of collapse. To address this concern, I spent $26 on repairing the wall by purchasing building poles and compensating for labor. I am relieved that the wall is now well-repaired and stronger. I am grateful for the transfers, as they have enabled me to support the education of my children and boost my business, which, in turn, helps me meet their daily needs such as food."

"I used to dig out tree stumps to support my family of nine, but the labor was too intense and exhausting, and I had to stop. Providing for my family was a challenge, especially since my husband's income as a casual laborer was insufficient to meet our needs. We often faced scarcity of food and struggled to afford school fees for our seven children. However, I am immensely grateful for the assistance provided by this project. It has allowed me to purchase chickens, buy food and clothing, and ensure that my children attend school regularly. With the transfers received, I prioritized our basic needs. I allocated $20 towards purchasing a mattress, addressing our need for proper sleeping arrangements. Additionally, $18 was spent on purchasing food and shoes for my children, who had none. I then invested $12 in purchasing two chickens to add to our existing brood, to be sold later on at a profit. Furthermore, I used $16 to settle my children's school fees, clearing a debt they had accrued. Finally, I dedicated $34 to buying clothes for myself. I am deeply thankful for all the assistance provided, which has significantly improved our family's well-being."

"After building a two-room mud-walled house with my first transfer, I decided to invest $140 of the second transfer on upgrading my living conditions. I purchased two modern standard beds for each room, along with a comfortable mattress for $60. Now, I sleep peacefully and comfortably, a significant improvement from the small traditional bed I used before. With security being a top priority, I allocated $150 towards a burglary door, reinforcing the main entrance of my home. Feeling safer, I no longer worry about potential threats, knowing that my house is secure. Despite these essential purchases, I still had $157 left from the transfer. Wanting to enhance both security and convenience, I plan to invest in a set of solar panels and lighting systems. Currently relying on a small traditional lamp fueled by expensive paraffin, the solar lighting will not only provide sustainable energy but also contribute to better security around my home. With these improvements, I can look forward to a brighter and safer future for myself and my home."

"After receiving the money from GiveDirectly, I wasted no time in addressing the most pressing issue in my home which is the leaky roof. I invested $207 in purchasing 18 pieces of iron sheets, along with $9 for three pieces of ridges and $76 for roofing poles, totaling $292. The roofing contractor, whose labor charge amounted to $150, skillfully transformed our grass-thatched roof into a sturdy iron sheet one. With the renovation complete, I felt immense relief knowing that my family and I no longer had to endure the discomfort and inconvenience of a leaking roof. Thanks to GiveDirectly, our home was now secure and comfortable, shielding us from harsh weather conditions. In addition to the roof renovation, I decided to improve our sleeping conditions by investing $100 in a modern standard bed and a comfortable mattress. Previously, we endured nights of restless sleep on a small, uncomfortable traditional bed. Now, with the new bed and mattress, I find myself drifting off into peaceful slumber, waking up refreshed and ready to face the day ahead. This upgrade has significantly enhanced our quality of life, and I am grateful to GiveDirectly for providing us with the means to make these essential improvements."

"I am grateful for the monthly transfers that have been a lifeline for me and my household. They have ensured that there is always food available for us. However, I have been struggling with old age complications and hypertension for several years now. These conditions have taken a toll on me, and since I don't have any other support, the monthly transfers have been a huge help. I can now afford the treatment that I need, and sometimes the doctors even visit me at home. The transfers have also enabled me to buy a balanced and nutritious diet, which is essential for my health. Additionally, I used some of the money to purchase a goat for $30. I now own three goats, and I plan to let them multiply and grow to a herd, which will be valuable assets for me even after the program ends. I am optimistic that I will still be able to rely on these assets to meet my financial needs. I also purchased a mattress for $22 and replaced the old bedding that I have been using. I am now enjoying a good sleep on my mattress unlike when I was using the old bedding which mainly mats that were old and worn out."

"Whenever I receive the funds, I usually save $20. The goal for saving this money is to satisfy other needs that require a larger amount of money than what I receive monthly. For instance, I saved to buy a bed, which I obtained. Now, I am saving for a mattress. Additionally, I want to build a new house. The current house has only one room, and I share it with my two grandchildren and their mother. This space is not enough, which is why I would like to build one with two rooms so that they can have a separate sleeping space. The other $10 usually goes towards supporting the school fees of my two grandchildren. I cannot stand seeing them being sent home for fees while I have money in my pocket. Nothing brings me more joy than seeing them go to school happily. Their mother sometimes struggles to keep up with their school fees. She sells palm wine here in the village, but the earnings from the business sometimes are not sufficient for school fees as well."

"As I advance in age, it becomes increasingly difficult for me to actively engage in work to provide for myself and my wife. I am grateful because, at this stage, the transfers have played a crucial role in allowing me to establish a source of wealth that will not require much physical demand from me: livestock rearing. Recently, I lost my aunt here at home. As per tradition, when such events occur, we are required to contribute towards the burial arrangements. Therefore, I contributed $34 towards this cause. Additionally, I faced a challenge with my sleeping space. While I had a wooden bed, I had not yet obtained a mattress, and I used sacks as bedding. This was both tiresome and painful. So, I invested $65 to purchase a mattress, opting for a strong one that I am confident will last me for at least three years."

"I aspire to purchase a new mattress. The current one has served me for many years, but it has deteriorated over time, leading to discomfort during sleep. Investing in a new mattress will provide me with a comfortable resting space at night. Besides that, I intend to continue my mission of acquiring goats. With the support of the transfers, I now own six goats, and I am determined to expand my herd further. Given my advancing age and chest complications, engaging in active work may become increasingly challenging. However, I firmly believe that I can accumulate sufficient wealth through goat rearing. Even after the transfers cease, I can rely on selling goats to meet my needs, including medical expenses. This will not only reduce my dependence on my son but also allow him to provide for his children without additional burden."

"My priority is to purchase a mattress for my three children, who have been sleeping on a plan leave woven mat that needs frequent replacement. I believe we can provide them with a more durable sleeping solution that will last for several years with the mattress. Following this, I plan to continue investing in livestock such as chickens and goats. As these animals reproduce, I can sell them to generate additional funds to support my children's education, thereby alleviating the financial burden on my husband, who works tirelessly as a fisherman."