"When I got $450 from GiveDirectly, I was so happy. Before that, I lived in a house with a grass roof that leaked when it rained. So, I decided to use the money wisely. First, I bought building materials to make a proper house. Then, I paid $50 to a handyman to help finish building it. With the remaining $400, I opened a business selling second-hand clothes, known as mutumba. Before this, I didn't have a job, but now, I feel so grateful because I'm employed. It's like a dream come true for me. I'm really happy to have this opportunity to make a better life for myself."

"As the year comes to an end, I have a big dream in my heart. I want to build a nice home for me and my family. It's something I've been thinking about for a long time. Having a good home means everything to us. It's not just about having a roof over our heads; it's about having a safe and comfortable place to live. I've been planning for this, and I've decided to use the third transfer from GiveDirectly to make this dream a reality. The idea of it actually happening fills me with happiness and contentment. Knowing that we'll soon have our own place, a place we can truly call home, brings me so much joy. It will be a place where we can create memories together, where we can feel safe and at peace. Thinking about this future home gives me a sense of satisfaction. It's not just a house; it's a symbol of our hard work and determination. And soon, with the help of GiveDirectly, that dream will become a beautiful reality."

"I have a family of seven members and we all live in a one room house with a grass roof. The house is not spacious enough and it leaks during rain season. My first daughter is grown-up and she seeks shelter from neighbors. My husband and I does casual jobs making little income which caters for food only. Two of my children dropped out of school due to lack of school fees. I will use $700 to build a two room house for the family and equip it with beddings. Currently the family sleeps on the floor using sacks as beddings. I will also use $100 to enroll my children back to school. This will also help me buy uniform for them."

"Receiving this transfer means that my family will have decent housing, food secure and going back to farming as a long term investment. I intend to use $50 to sort out our immediate food insecurity issue, $450 to construct an all sided iron roof structure and the rest to invest in irrigation farming on the already reclaimed land. With cash, I will have all the necessary factors of production without going into debts. The long term effect is for my family to be food secure and at the same time have a reliable source of income."

"This year, my main objective is to renovate my house. The one I currently live in is quite old, with a roof that leaks severely during heavy rains, urgently needing replacement. To achieve this, I plan to utilize my savings along with any additional funds I receive. The prospect of having a better living space brings me immense satisfaction, and I'm truly thankful for this opportunity to improve my home."

"When GiveDirectly enrolled me in their program, it was the first time I had ever owned a phone. However, operating a phone has been challenging for me because I am illiterate. I need assistance from my helper to use it. Despite this, I was determined to know when GiveDirectly would send me the cash they had promised. One day, while I was harvesting maize on my farm, my neighbour asked me whether I had received my money. I couldn't check because I didn't understand how to use the phone. When I got home, I called my son, who checked and confirmed that my first transfer had been sent. I was extremely happy, and I couldn't hold back my emotions. I have been living in a grass-thatched hut for most of my life, which is leaking and in poor condition. With the money I received, my priority was to build a decent iron-roofed house."

"When I received my last transfer from GiveDirectly, I decided to focus on building myself a better house. Before, I lived in a small, old mud-walled house. It was so worn that outsiders could see inside, and because of its condition, visitors refused to stay. Additionally, I had to cook outside since the house was too small, except during rain when I had to manage it somehow. I utilized $350 from the transfer and built a new room made of iron sheets for both walls and roofing. Now, I have a much better place to live and have turned the old house into a kitchen. Another big issue was my sleeping arrangements. I used to sleep on old rags, which was very uncomfortable. So, I bought a mattress costing $15 and to ensure I have food, I spent $45. Moreover, I set aside $50 to complete my fencing I had started with my second transfer which I ran out of money before completion. Thank you GiveDirectly for your support."

"The financial assistance from GiveDirectly arrived at a crucial moment of need, as I have been grappling with a serious illness that requires urgent medical attention. However, due to financial constraints, I couldn't gather the required funds all at once. My income primarily stems from seasonal farming, yielding around $90 per harvest, while my wife earns $150 monthly at a production company. Despite our combined efforts, these earnings barely suffice for our family's needs, especially considering the hefty school fees for our eight children, four of whom are in high school, three in primary school, and one awaiting college admission after completing high school. With medical expenses looming, I spent $350 for the impending treatment, utilizing the remainder to upgrade our home's roof from grass to iron sheets, amounting to $200. The prospect of finally addressing my long-standing illness brings immense relief, and I am profoundly grateful to GiveDirectly for extending a lifeline of hope during this challenging time."

"Repairing the condition of my house is my primary focus at the moment. It looks worn-out, with its walls crumbled away, leaving only the support poles standing with gaps in between. The roof has rusted and decayed over time, exposing the inside of the house to the elements such as rainwater. My husband and I each save $20 from the transfers to reinstate the state of the house using new poles and iron sheets. The transfers are our only hope of achieving this desire because, being old, we are unable to work to raise the necessary funds for the exercise."

"In the coming year and beyond, I desire to replace my tin roof with new iron sheets. Although the house was recently built, I had to use old iron sheets from the previous house, which have corroded over time and developed holes, allowing water to seep in when it rains. I would never want my new bed and mattress, obtained with the transfer funds, to be dampened and damaged by rainwater. That is why I plan to start saving towards purchasing new roofing materials. Additionally, I would prefer this responsibility to solely fall on my shoulders, as I do not wish to burden my son, who is already constrained by the school fees of his seven children. I am hopeful that the transfers will fully support this endeavor."