"My lovely husband died June last year and left me with 9 children. He was the breadwinner in our family and this changed everything. I have tried to look for a job but all has been in even. Providing for my family needs has been difficult to an extent I have become a parasite depending on my siblings to support me where they can. Therefore securing a good job to provide for my family is the biggest challenge I'm facing."

"Unreliable source of income! Yes, this is basically what has brought about hardship to my life. currently, my husband and I are at home and we depend on some casual jobs within the community. These activities include making gravels for sale and house construction which is seasonal. Looking at the nature of these activities, their incomes are very low, usually estimated at $50. This amount is what we spend on food, school fees, and other household needs. The most affected sector is the education for my children since they can stay at home for almost a week before I send them back. As a mother, this pains me most and I am always stressed."

"I am living on a piece of land that belongs to extended family. Currently things are fine but am foreseeing some conflicts coming ahead. I consider myself a squatter. This has hindered me from doing development projects here like build a permanent house."

"Housing is the challenge I am currently facing in life. I have a family of five and all in a one room house. I have two girls that are grownup and their house was brought down by the heavy rains that came last year on December. This forced the children to join us in the one room house. Culturally it is jot allowed to share the same structure with grown up children. No privacy and lowers my dignity in the society."

"A reliable source of income is the challenge I am currently facing in life. My husband and I do casual jobs making approximately $40 per month which caters for food and school fees. The income is low such that one of my son dropped out of school due to lack of school fees."

"As a mother of five, one of the greatest challenges I face is ensuring my children receive a quality education. My husband and I struggle to provide the necessary support and resources for our kids to have an optimal learning environment. The financial burden of school fees is particularly daunting, and the demands of the new curriculum make it even more challenging to keep up. Even the costs of school trips have become a significant strain. The primary underlying issue is the lack of a stable income to support our family."

"With the help of GiveDirectly, I managed to purchase a bed for my family, a small luxury that brings immense comfort. But there's still a missing piece to complete our nightly haven which is a mattress. It's not just about the comfort; it's about ensuring my children sleep soundly, free from the aches of the hard floor. So, my goal for the coming year is to save up enough, at least $10 a month, to afford a mattress, costing about $50. And once we have that mattress, my aspirations soar even higher. I envision venturing into livestock farming, particularly goats. They're resilient creatures, capable of withstanding the harsh climate of our region, and their maintenance costs are manageable. With a small herd of goats, I can provide for my family, not just in terms of food but also through the potential income from selling their offspring. With determination and the support of GiveDirectly, I know these dreams are within reach, and I'll stop at nothing to achieve them."

"When I started receiving funds from GiveDirectly, a world of possibilities opened up before me. In the coming year and beyond, I hope to accomplish something that will sustain and uplift my family. I plan to start a goat-keeping project. Goats are an ideal choice because they are relatively cheap to acquire and maintain, and there's always a ready market for them. To facilitate this goal, I joined a merry-go-round group with nine other members, where each of us contributes $10 every month. We rotate the collected amount among us, allowing one member to invest in their dreams each month. My turn to receive the funds will come in September 2024, and I plan to use this money to buy at least three goats to kickstart my venture. This project will provide a steady income and create a ripple effect of growth and stability in my family. With the support from GiveDirectly and my commitment to this journey, I am confident that the future holds great promise for me."

"Ever since I received support from GiveDirectly, my life has been a whirlwind of hope and hard work. I currently sleep in the kitchen, but I have started building my own house. My biggest goal for the coming year is to complete this house and ensure that the roof is securely in place before the year ends. Once the house is finished, I plan to embark on a new journey of poultry farming. I am determined to see this vision through, and I know that with continued perseverance, the coming years will be filled with stability and growth."

"As I lie at night in my brother’s house, I often dream of the day I will have a place to call my own. The lack of privacy here eats away at my peace of mind, and I yearn for the simple comfort of my space. Thanks to the support from GiveDirectly, this dream is within reach. Over the past months, I have managed to save enough to buy five iron sheets, and I am determined to build a two-room mud-wall house, which requires a total of 16 iron sheets. Every month, I carefully set aside at least $5, steadily marching toward my goal. In the coming year and beyond, I hope to start constructing my house and finally have a shelter where I can sleep soundly, free from worry. The promise of my own home fills me with hope and drives me forward every day."