"Before receiving the cash from GiveDirectly, life was a constant struggle for my family. With five children and my husband unemployed, we found it difficult to make ends meet. My days were spent gathering firewood and making charcoal, earning only meager amounts of money. Sometimes, we couldn't even find buyers for our firewood or charcoal, leaving us no choice but to borrow from the local shop and sink deeper into debt.Fetching water was yet another challenge. We had to trek long distances over rugged terrain just to bring back water. It was exhausting and consumed a lot of time. However, after receiving the cash, I resolved to make some changes for the better. I allocated $150 to buy food, ensuring that my family had enough to eat. Then, I decided to invest $260 in a water tank, enabling us to collect rainwater during the rainy season and significantly easing our burden.In addition, I spent $40 on maize seeds, with the plan to grow our own food. Now, instead of relying on purchasing food, we can cultivate some of our own, reducing our expenses and providing us with nutritious meals. Life isn't perfect, but it has improved. I no longer have to worry about where our next meal will come from, and the struggle of fetching water has been alleviated. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to enhance our lives and offer a brighter future for my family."

"We currently live in a two room house with our three boys and one girl sharing a single room. I anticipate that as the boys grow older, they will require separate rooms for privacy and independence. To address this, I am planning to build a three room house for my family. This new arrangement will allow us to vacate our current house for our sons while we move into the new one, providing everyone with the privacy they need. Although I haven't started the construction process yet, I am grateful to Give Directly for their support, which will enable me to achieve this goal. I have already begun saving $ 22 monthly for the project and plan to use my accumulated funds to purchase essential materials like sand and cement. I am optimistic that with the continued assistance from Give Directly, I will be able to realize my dream of providing a more comfortable and private living space for my family."

"My husband and I face significant challenges in raising enough money to meet our children's basic needs. Securing jobs is difficult, and the pay is often insufficient. Recognizing this, I am committed to using my transfers wisely to increase our income and provide for our children's needs effectively. My goal for the coming year and beyond is to prioritize my children's education and make the most of these transfers before they come to an end. To achieve this, I plan to save a portion of my transfer to purchase a cow. This investment will enable me to raise additional calves over time, providing a steady source of income through milk production. I can sell the milk to cover my children's school fees and buy essential items for my family. Ultimately, I aim to use the profits from this cow business to fund my children's college education, ensuring they have a bright future and the opportunity to achieve their dreams through quality education. I am determined to invest in their education as it is crucial for their success and future prosperity."

"Looking ahead to the coming year and beyond, my main focus and biggest goal is to complete the construction of the three-bedroom house. The materials I've already purchased have laid a solid foundation, and I am determined to see this dream become a reality. I plan to use the money from the tomatoes I'm yet to grow on my farm to fund the rest of the building project. The idea of having a proper house fills me with so much joy and satisfaction for me and my five children. It means we will finally have enough space and privacy to live comfortably, which is something we have been longing for."

"The house we currently live in is in dire condition, with the structure nearly collapsing due to its age and the heavy rainfall we've been experiencing, causing the pillars to rot. This poses a serious danger to my family, and I constantly worry, especially at night while we're sleeping. To address this urgent situation, I am considering selling one of my cows to raise funds for purchasing building materials, supplementing this with my monthly transfers from GiveDirectly. I plan to gradually buy these materials every month upon receiving the transfer. However, completion may take time given my responsibilities with my children and reliance on unreliable casual jobs to support my family. Despite the challenges, I am encouraged and empowered by GiveDirectly's support, which gives me hope and determination to secure a safer living environment for my family."

"My goal remains to keep buying goats and grow my herd from the six I already acquired through previous transfers so that I may be able to exchange them for cows in future. Since food is not a concern at the moment due to our maize harvest, I intend to allocate most of the cash transfers toward buying goats. My ultimate objective is to accumulate enough wealth through livestock so that when the transfers eventually cease, I will have a source of income to contribute to the household's needs, such as food, without relying solely on my son."

"In the coming few months, I want to fix up my old house with a falling roof. It's tough living at my parents' place it's not my own space. Once I get my house sorted, I have this dream of buying a cow. Sounds strange, I know, but it's like a financial safety net for me. I've been working casual jobs, and I'm saving up from that, not touching my transfers. I've also started saving through this group called the Silk Group. So, step by step, I'm hoping to make my living situation more stable and comfortable."

"In the next few months and years, my main focus is on supporting my son as he finishes school. Once he's done, I'm counting on him and my daughter, Abigael, to join forces with me to achieve my dream of building our own house. Right now, living with my parents is not ideal, but it's necessary as I've been prioritizing my children's education. Once they're independent, we can work together towards our shared goal of having a place to call our own, where we can all feel comfortable and secure."

"GiveDirectly has done well by providing us with an unconditional cash transfer, which has made a huge difference in my family of 11. We have been able to use this money to buy food, expand my wife's business, and ensure our children can continue their education. This impact goes beyond just our family, as we have seen positive changes happening in our community as well. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for your support and for making such a meaningful difference in our lives."

"As I look ahead to the coming months and years, I'm hopeful to achieve a simple yet meaningful goal: expanding my flock of goats. I've been diligently saving through my SILC account, banking on the promise that when these savings mature, I'll be able to use the savings to purchase even more. This venture represents a path to financial independence and security for me and my family. With each addition to my herd, I'm not just growing a business; I'm nurturing a future where we can sustain ourselves with dignity and pride."