"The first transfer has made a huge difference in my life. With just $200, I've already seen significant improvements. Now we can enjoy eating chapatis at home, something my children have always dreamed of but we couldn't afford due to our low wages. This has brought great happiness to our family. Looking ahead to the next $450 transfer, I am hopeful that our lives will change even more. Thanks to GiveDirectly, I see a brighter future. With the second transfer, I plan to build a one-room house for my sons who have been sleeping at the neighbors' because we don't have enough space at home. This opportunity is bringing us hope and a sense of security for the future."

"I am a widow, relying on my son who works in town for support. When I received the money, the first thing I did was buy 20 iron sheets for $240. These sheets will be crucial for the new roof of the house I am planning to build. I also spent $100 on building poles, which are essential for creating a sturdy structure. These purchases were the first steps in my plan to construct a more spacious home. The remaining money is set aside for other building materials that I still need to buy. My current house is small and cramped, especially since I live with my three grandchildren. It's my priority to build a larger, more comfortable home for all of us. This new house will not only provide us with more space but also a safer and more comfortable living environment."

"I had to make some important decisions about how to spend the money I received. As a widow relying on charcoal burning for sustenance, I have faced many challenges, especially since trees have become scarce. My old house was collapsing, making it unsafe to live in, so I decided to build a new one. For the house to stand tall, I bought 16 pieces of iron sheets for $230, building poles for $47, roofing poles for $52, nails for $13, and water for $15. I also hired a contractor who charged $130 to construct the entire house. I am happy to say that the house is ready, and I now sleep in a comfortable and safe shelter. After the house was built, I realized I needed a good place to sleep. Previously, I slept on a thin mat, which was uncomfortable. With the remaining money, I bought a mattress for $50. Now, I sleep well and wake up refreshed, ready to face the challenges of each day. This investment in my new home and a proper bed has greatly improved my quality of life, providing me with a sense of security and comfort that I hadn't felt in a long time."

"As a widow and very old, I relied on my co-wife's son for provision because I did not have children. Upon receiving my most recent transfer, I invested it in a shop business. There was already a shop structure at home, but it needed renovations to be usable. So, I bought 13 pieces of iron sheets for $120, three bags of cement for $23, and spent $94 on purchasing and fixing shelf timbers. The person who did the renovation charged $20. After these renovations, I stocked the shop with items worth $40. After setting up the shop, I also bought a sack of maize for $45. This purchase was crucial as it ensured we had food at home, providing some relief to the breadwinner, who works as a casual laborer. By investing in the shop and securing food, I aimed to create a sustainable source of income and reduce the financial burden on my co-wife's son, who has been supporting me."

"My four bedroom house is in urgent need of completion, with two rooms already repaired and the remaining two still pending. Despite the challenges, I am grateful for the progress I have made so far. To finish the remaining rooms, I plan to save a portion of my transfers and gradually acquire the necessary building materials. I am aware that this will be a gradual process, but I am determined to see it through. Completing the repairs is crucial not only for my personal safety but also to ensure the long term stability of the structure, preventing any potential collapse in the future. I am deeply grateful for the financial assistance provided through the transfers, which has given me the opportunity to work towards this goal."

"In the coming year, my main goal is to use the GiveDirectly cash transfers to rebuild our house, which has become too small for our growing family. It's also in a bad state; whenever it rains, water seeps in from the ground, and the mud on the walls falls off. This poses a health risk to our family and is not safe at all. My current focus is on plastering our house because of its poor condition. The thought of the transfers fills me with boundless gratitude, and each time I receive the cash, I feel hopeful about achieving this dream of rebuilding our home."

"My priority in the coming year and beyond is to boost my business as soon as possible, utilizing these transfers as a stepping stone to raise the necessary capital to support my family. I currently sell chapati and beans, but I hope to build up more customers to increase the quantity of goods I sell. Having this business stabilized will make a great difference in my life. Since I have a child in school, I need to have enough money to cover their fees and other essential requirements. Additionally, expanding this business will allow me to acquire enough capital to provide for my family's basic needs with greater ease."

"I am glad that I have managed to build my poultry business, which was my initial venture. Currently, I have acquired 23 chickens, so now my focus is on taking good care of them. In the coming year and beyond, I want to invest my transfers into starting a grocery business. I got motivation from my friends who are already in this business. Since I am already employed and cannot leave my job to fully oversee this new venture, I plan to employ my sister-in-law, who is currently without a job. Having this business will provide me with additional income, enabling me to support my family and myself with greater ease."

"My ultimate objective is to ensure my children complete their education and achieve a successful future. To achieve this, I have devised a plan to invest more in my livestock farming business, gradually transitioning from goats to cows. Cows are more valuable and their sale can help cover my children's school fees. To accomplish this, I plan to save and utilize the transfers I receive to purchase more livestock and expand my operations. This strategy not only secures my income after the project concludes but also ensures a better future for my family. I am deeply grateful to GiveDirectly for the positive impact it has had on my life, enabling me to pursue this goal and create a more secure future for my family."

"To overcome the demoralizing conditions of living in a small, cramped house with five people, I have been diligently saving a significant portion of my transfers. I am pleased with the progress I have made towards building a three-room house. Once the house is complete next year, I plan to venture into poultry farming, hoping that the poultry will multiply and allow me to sell them in the future to support my family when needed. I am grateful for the positive impact GiveDirectly has had on our lives, which has enabled me to pursue this goal and improve our living situation."