"The biggest difference in my daily life is that I can now connect piped water to my home, which seemed impossible due to financial constraints. This would imply that we would be able to cultivate and also have clean water for our domestic use, which was a huge relief to us. We are extremely grateful for the help that has brought us so much joy."

"Before the cash program was introduced in my village, my primary goal was to repair the roof of my house, which was deteriorating with age. The tin roof had developed perforations that caused water leakage. However, after I started receiving the cash transfers, my sons proposed that they would take care of the repair process, as my health condition required me to focus on my medication and nutritional needs. Right now, my top priority is looking after my health. I'm confident that with consistent medication, I can manage the effects of my high blood pressure better than I would have without treatment."

"My family has had a challenge of accessing tap water for quite long. We get water from neighbors at a fee and once I fail to get money then the family remains without water. This has been a bother to me and it is my desire to solve this problem once and for all. I will use $500 to buy pipes and bring tap water at my door step. This will be for family use and also sell to neighbors. I will also use $500 to clear school fees for my children. I do security job at the nearby secondary school earning approximately $100 per month which caters for school fees only. I lack the capacity to do any development project for the family."

"Establishing an irrigation system has always been a long-held ambition of mine. Unfortunately, this dream remained unattainable due to financial constraints, as I am a farmer and my husband's income is derived from his job as a security guard. We are blessed with five children. Upon receiving my initial financial transfer, my husband and I believed it was the right time to connect water to our home, serving both domestic needs and farming purposes. We understood that this would empower us to cultivate and sell fruits and vegetables, providing an additional source of income. Consequently, we spent $120 towards the water connection, with the remaining funds being used for purchasing essential food items and clothing. I am delighted that this dream was finally realized in such a short span of time."

"I was overjoyed when I received the cash transfers from GiveDirectly. It was like a dream come true, a chance to turn my aspirations into reality. First and foremost, I fulfilled my longstanding wish of owning a Bible and a hymn book, which cost me $18. As a person of faith, these books hold immense significance to me. I also dedicated a part of the money, $110, to offerings and tithes, aligning with the teachings close to my heart. Practicality was key, too. With $50, I constructed a granary to safeguard the maize we had harvested. But my dreams didn't stop there. A beacon of hope in my mind was the idea of starting a daycare institution. With $120, I managed to gather all the necessary supplies and even put down a $30 deposit for a suitable facility. To ensure the success of this venture, I invested $100 in securing a freshwater connection which is a vital resource for the project. As the pieces came together, I was left with a sum that I wisely saved, determined to see my vision come to life. With everything falling into place, I'm counting down the days to October 1st, the day when I'll proudly launch my dream project, knowing that GiveDirectly's support was the catalyst for this incredible journey."

"Once the cash transfer arrived, I felt a mix of excitement and relief. The old house I had been living in was on the verge of collapsing, and I knew it was time for a change. So, I decided to invest the money wisely. First thing, I purchased a large 310-litre water tank, envisioning how it would aid me in my project. With this tank, I could store water efficiently, a crucial element for the upcoming construction. With water secured, I embarked on making interlocking blocks. Day after day, I mixed cement and pressed it into molds, creating each brick with care and determination. These blocks would be the foundation of my new home, and I am determined not to be held back by any lack of materials. I want to ensure that when construction begins, there will be no interruptions due to shortages. Each block I made seemed like a stepping stone towards stability and security."

"The nature of my current house is so pathetic and it puts a lot of risks into our lives. With the strong wind that we experience in our, my house is bombing and I never get peaceful sleep. Since I have my sick husband living in this house, it's put more worry on me. This has pushed me to desire to construct a decent house that will spare us from this danger. I intend to spend $550 of my money to ensure this housing problem is offset. This will guarantee me a happy life because I will be sure of our safety. On the other hand, I also intend to install fresh water in my home because I currently buy from my neighbor and this will settle the water problem at home. This project will cost me around $250. The remaining amount will help me to invest in livestock rearing which I plan to start with 5 goats. Hence, this is generally what receiving this money means to me."

"Since I began receiving unconditional cash transfers from GiveDirectly, the biggest difference in my life has been the newfound hope and opportunity it has provided. With the funds, I was able to invest in a water tank to practice irrigation, a small yet transformative step towards self-sufficiency. I am now on the verge of starting a business where I'll cultivate and sell vegetables and various seedlings, creating a stable source of income. As an elderly individual without a job, life had become a daily struggle; I often went to bed hungry due to the high cost of living. Relying on my children, who lacked a consistent income, was a challenge. But now, through this project, I can see a brighter future ahead where I won't have to worry about meals or dependence, and my life is destined for a remarkable transformation."

"The persistent drought has been a challenge for the past three years. I rely on farming to make income, but due to the scarcity of water yield has gone down hence a reduction in income. This has made it difficult to comfortably cater to all the basic needs of my family."

"Due to the persistent drought, I fetch water a kilometer away at a cost of a dollar a day. This is very expensive considering I do not have any income, my grandchildren come in handy when they close school. I plan on using the transfers to purchase a 10,000 litres water tank which will help reduce the burden and expenses spent on water. This shall ensure I have consistent and clean water for drinking as well as home use. The rest of the transfers I will use to purchase enough food and save other for future use. I am happy as Givedirectly will help me live a better life."