"It was around 6 AM when a family member called out to me, urging me to check my M-Pesa messages because they had received their transfer. Just as I was about to prepare breakfast, I quickly grabbed my phone and checked. To my astonishment, I found a message confirming that the promised transfer from GiveDirectly had arrived. A wave of joy washed over me, and I instantly forgot all about my breakfast plans. My heart raced with excitement, and the first thought that flooded my mind was the opportunity this money would give me to invest in my children's education. The prospect of helping them learn and grow filled me with hope for a brighter future."

"It was around 6 AM when a family member called out to me, urging me to check my M-Pesa messages because they had received their transfer. Just as I was about to prepare breakfast, I quickly grabbed my phone and checked. To my astonishment, I found a message confirming that the promised transfer from GiveDirectly had arrived. A wave of joy washed over me, and I instantly forgot all about my breakfast plans. My heart raced with excitement, and the first thought that flooded my mind was the opportunity this money would give me to invest in my children's education. The prospect of helping them learn and grow filled me with hope for a brighter future."

"In the years ahead, my top priority is to ensure my children receive a solid education. They are currently in the final stages of secondary school, and completing in a few years. To support their esducation journey, I plan to use a portion of the transfers I receive from GiveDirectly for their school fees, while also lending a helping hand to their elder brothers who are contributing as well. Once one of my children graduates next year, I have an exciting plan in mind. I intend to redirect those funds into our local savings group. My goal is to invest in goats, envisioning a future where they multiply and flourish. This not only provides a potential source of income but also secures a safety net for my children's education when this program concludes. I am genuinely thankful for the support from GiveDirectly, which has been instrumental in our lives. With hope and determination, I look forward to building a brighter future for my family!"

"It was early morning when I received a message on my phone confirming that I had received the first transfer. My heart raced with happiness as I realized that the promised transfer was genuine. As I read the message, a wave of relief washed over me, and the weight of worry began to lift. The first thing that came to my mind was my children’s education. I knew they were about to be sent home due to unpaid school fees. I could already picture their smiling faces as I imagined using this money to secure their future, ensuring they could stay in school and continue learning. The thought of providing them with the education they deserved filled me with hope and determination, igniting a spark of joy in my heart that I hadn't felt in a long time."

"I have been considering acquiring livestock as assets for many years, but I did not have the necessary funds to buy any. My charcoal business, which is my main source of income, was no longer doing well. When I received the cash transfers, I used $138 to buy three goats, which I am now keeping at home. I know that these goats will be valuable assets I can rely on in times of emergency, unlike before when I had no assets to depend on during pressing situations, which was very stressful. In addition, my son, who is now in grade seven, had a fee balance of $60, so I decided to clear it because he would have been asked to stay out of class until the fees were paid. This had happened before and really affected him. I didn’t want it to happen again this term. Finally, with the remaining amount of money, I bought food worth $332. Skipping meals had become a routine at home because we often had nothing to cook, largely due to the long droughts we experienced. I felt it was necessary to have a good stock of food to avoid going hungry, especially for my son."

"One of my daughters, who is currently pregnant, experienced some health issues, making it a challenging time for her. She had stomach problems that required her to be hospitalized for further checkups. I am grateful that the financial support came at the right time, as it enabled me to settle the hospital bill, which amounted to around $350 due to her extended stay. Without this assistance, I'm not sure how we would have managed. The support allowed me to ensure she received the necessary care and also improved her mental well-being. She is now out of the hospital and doing well, eagerly awaiting her delivery date. After settling the hospital bill, I used part of the funds to pay off $100 in fees for my other daughter, who is in grade 7 at a nearby school. The fees had accumulated, and she was at risk of being sent home because I had been making small payments due to the business of selling brooms and mats not paying well. I had also been occupied with taking care of my sick daughter, which impacted everything. Thanks to the financial support, everything has returned to normal in my home. With the remaining $100, I purchased food and other essential household items for my family of two. I'm grateful that now we rarely go to bed hungry like we used to."

"I was returning from work when I heard my phone ring, indicating a new message. Just then, I overheard my neighbours happily mentioning that they had received their transfers from GiveDirectly. I quickly checked my phone, and to my surprise, I had received mine too. I felt so happy that the promise had been fulfilled, and I couldn't contain my joy. It was then that I knew I would finally be able to build a new house, as my previous one was too small and the current one had collapsed months ago."

"I was returning from work when I heard my phone ring, indicating a new message. Just then, I overheard my neighbours happily mentioning that they had received their transfers from GiveDirectly. I quickly checked my phone, and to my surprise, I had received mine too. I felt so happy that the promise had been fulfilled, and I couldn't contain my joy. It was then that I knew I would finally be able to build a new house, as my previous one was too small and the current one had collapsed months ago."

"I am a mother of three, and together with my husband, we rely on subsistence farming to provide for our family. When I received my first transfer, I knew exactly where to start. Our biggest challenge had been the lack of privacy, as we all shared the same house. So, I decided to build a separate house for my children, giving us more space and comfort. I spent $408 on building materials such as iron sheets, poles, and rafters. Seeing the house almost complete fills me with pride and relief, knowing my children will soon have a place to call their own. After handling the construction, I turned to other important needs. I used $40 to pay for my children's school fees, ensuring they could stay in school without any interruptions. Education is crucial for their future, and I didn't want anything to stand in their way. With the remaining amount, I bought food worth $68 to keep my family well-fed and spent $35 on household goods we had been lacking. These purchases have brought us stability and hope, making me grateful for the support that is helping us build a better future step by step."

"The biggest difference in my life since I started receiving payments from GiveDirectly is the improvement in our living conditions. Before, life was really tough, my children and I used to sleep in the same house with no privacy, which made things uncomfortable for all of us. But now, thanks to GiveDirectly, my children have their own house. This change has brought us much-needed space and privacy, and our home feels more peaceful. My family is doing much better now, and we can live with more dignity. One of the most significant things I can do now, which I couldn’t do before, is provide my children with a separate living space. It’s a huge relief for us all. GiveDirectly has not only improved our housing situation but also given us a fresh start in so many ways."