"I am very happy GiveDirectly supported me"

"At my age of 27 years, I never expected to be a housewife because I had a big dream of living a decent life. This is because, despite having hairdressing skills, I have remained jobless at home. I majorly depend on my husband who is a casual laborer and he usually sends me $15 on weekly basis. This money goes on settling bills leaving me with nothing to save. Hence, I consider financial instability as my biggest challenge."

"As I am in my final year of secondary education, my top priority is ensuring the timely payment of my school fees to avoid any disruptions to my studies and overall performance. The total amount I need to pay for the year is $150, but since I only allocate $20 of my monthly transfers towards the fee, it will take me around 8 months to clear the fees completely. Once I have cleared my school fees, my plan is to start investing in poultry. Poultry farming is affordable, easy to manage, and the birds multiply quickly. My goal is to start building assets that I can leverage when the time comes for me to join university, allowing me to raise the required fees more easily."

"My main goal is to expand my small business of making dumplings by adding more stock. This expansion will not only increase my income but also enhance my financial independence. With a larger inventory, I can cater to more customers and potentially reach new markets, securing a more stable future for myself and my family. Additionally, I aim to continue investing in my son's education, ensuring that he has the resources he needs to excel academically and achieve his dreams. Overall, I hope to build on the foundation laid by the support I received from GiveDirectly and create a brighter, more prosperous future for us all."

"I appreciate GiveDirectly because they provide monetary assistance without any conditions attached. This approach empowers individuals like me to decide how best to use the funds based on our unique needs and priorities."

"When I received the second transfer from GiveDirectly, I was facing a financial challenge. My son had been accepted into a water engineering course at college, and the required fees were beyond our means. With $500 from the transfer, I made the crucial decision to use it towards his college expenses. Despite the fee being $700, this contribution was invaluable as it allowed us to enroll him in the institution. My husband, a tailor by profession, simply couldn't cover the cost all at once. This financial assistance provided us with the breathing room we needed to gather additional funds to sustain his education. With the remaining amount, I prioritized ensuring our family's basic needs were met. I purchased essential food items to alleviate some of the financial strain we were facing. This act of assistance from GiveDirectly not only helped secure my son's education but also provided relief for our immediate needs."

"Before, our home was cramped and barely accommodated the four of us, along with our belongings. It was just a small, one-room mud wall house that left us feeling suffocated. Using $320 of the money I received, I was able to purchase 20 pieces of iron sheets and roofing timbers to add an extra room to our house. Now, our home feels spacious, and we no longer feel cramped or uncomfortable. The extra space has brought us immense joy and relief, and we can finally enjoy living in a more comfortable environment. In addition to improving our living conditions, the monetary assistance also enabled us to invest in tools that have enhanced my husband's work as a welder. With $80, we were able to purchase our welding machine, eliminating the need to constantly hire one. This has allowed my husband to work more effectively and efficiently, without the stress of relying on external equipment. Furthermore, I used $150 to buy a smartphone, which has proven to be incredibly useful beyond just communication. I utilize it to download the latest welding designs and share them with my husband, enabling him to undertake unique projects and expand his skills. Overall, the support we received from GiveDirectly has not only improved our living conditions but has also empowered us to invest in our livelihoods, leading to a brighter future for our family."

"For over 7 months, my house had been vulnerable without doors, leaving my belongings and family at risk. When I received the second transfer from GiveDirectly, I decided to prioritize safety and security. With $200, I purchased and installed three strong doors for my house. Now, I feel relieved and content knowing that my possessions are protected, and my family can sleep soundly without worrying about intruders. It's a simple change, but it has made a significant difference in our daily lives, bringing peace of mind and a sense of security that we were lacking before. In addition to securing my home, I invested $200 in my small shop business. By expanding my stock, I've been able to cater to a wider range of customer needs, attracting more clients and increasing my revenue. My shop is my sole source of income, so every improvement directly impacts our livelihood. With a more diverse stock, customers hardly leave without finding what they need, leading to more sales and a brighter future for my family. With the remaining funds, I ensured that my family's basic needs were met by purchasing food, allowing us to sustain ourselves while also saving the profits generated from the shop for future expenses."

"In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well in ensuring that the money they provide is used wisely. The follow-ups after the transfers ensured that I spent the money in ways that would truly benefit me and my family, preventing any possibility of misuse. This approach helps in encouraging accountability and responsibility in managing finances."

"In my opinion, GiveDirectly excels in providing a transparent and fair enrollment process. Unlike other organizations that often involve village elders or chiefs, GiveDirectly's process was free from political influence. This ensured that everyone had an equal opportunity to receive assistance, regardless of their connections or affiliations. While the financial help is valuable, additional resources or training programs could further empower recipients to build sustainable livelihoods and maximize the impact of the support received."