"Life was difficult for me and my children. For years, we slept on the floor with no mattress, exposed to the cold every night. The floor was hard and uncomfortable, and we used mats as makeshift mattresses. My children, being young, were especially vulnerable. Without proper bedding, they often caught colds and the flu, which made them feel miserable and added to my worries. Every night, I would lie awake, uncomfortable and exhausted, constantly concerned about their health. Since getting the mattresses and bed, the difference has been remarkable. My children no longer sleep on the cold, hard floor, and they have been healthier. I no longer have to worry about them getting sick as often. We finally have a sense of comfort and safety, and it has made a huge impact on our daily lives. Thank you, GiveDirectly."

"Without the GiveDirectly transfer, I wouldn’t have managed to transport and install the milling machine from Nakuru. Before, we struggled with buying already milled maize and dealing with costly transportation from town, which limited our profits. The milling machine had to stay in Nakuru for two weeks because we didn’t have the funds for transportation and installation. Now, with the machine fully operational, I see a significant difference in our situation. Previously, we made a profit of about $2 per 90 kg bag of maize. Since we started milling for ourselves, our profit has increased to $3 per bag. This change not only boosts our earnings but also reduces our expenses on buying and transporting milled maize. Every time I see the machine in operation, I feel grateful for the GiveDirectly support that made this possible. It has transformed our business and improved our financial stability."

"We initially struggled with capital and faced the risk of losing the money we had spent on renting land for maize. After the floods, our plan to plant maize was stalled, and we feared wasting our investment. However, with the transfer, I used the funds to cultivate the land by planting watermelon instead. This choice proved to be a turning point. The watermelon cultivation, which I managed with a $50 investment in seeds, is thriving. I expect to harvest in less than two months and potentially earn about $1,000 if all goes well.The transfer allowed us to turn a challenging situation into an opportunity for growth."

"GiveDirectly’s transfer has empowered me in terms of development. With the cash, I was able to buy livestock (sheep and a cow). Although I later sold the cow to raise fees for my nephew, it allowed him to join college. Meanwhile, my sheep will continue to help me as they multiply, providing future financial support. Knowing I am expecting another transfer, I feel hopeful because I plan to advance my agriculture by starting poultry farming, something I’ve always wanted to do. This shift from crop farming, due to the frequent floods, will help me secure a more stable and reliable source of income for my family."

"As my wife was preparing supper, I sat in our living room waiting patiently when my phone buzzed. I checked it, and, to my surprise, I saw that I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I rushed outside to share the exciting news with my mom, wife, and children. We all felt happy as a family. Later, we sat down to enjoy our dinner, with smiles on our faces, knowing this was a turning point for us."

"I currently work as a motorcycle driver and my main goal is to own my own motorcycle. Right now, I'm using a motorcycle owned by someone else and paying them $4 each time I use it. This leaves me with very little money for myself, let alone for my family. Due to the increasing living standards and a lack of customers, it's becoming a challenge because I have to pay the motorcycle owner daily, making it a very stressful job. However, thanks to GiveDirectly for coming to our rescue. Previously, my children would sleep without eating, but now, with financial support from GiveDirectly, that doesn't happen anymore. I'm hopeful that once I buy my own motorcycle, I'll be able to provide my family with the life they deserve. I plan to save from my income and transfers, and I'm confident that I will buy the motorcycle, ultimately transforming my life and that of my family."

"Upon receiving $180 from GiveDirectly, I knew it was time to stick to my plan. I had always dreamed of buying a proper mattress. I spent $56 to finally replace the old makeshift bedding I had been using. Now, sleeping on a comfortable mattress has transformed my life. I sometimes even oversleep, but it has greatly improved my overall well-being and relationships. I wake up in a good mood, feeling energized and ready to work, which makes me more productive throughout the day, even if I start a bit later. I allocated $35 to buy food, as my family was going through a severe food crisis. Now, we have enough to eat, and this has given us the strength and energy we needed. With the rest of the money, I allocated $60 to buy construction materials. I plan to start building a new house with the second transfer from GiveDirectly, as our current home is old and no longer meets our needs. The risk of flooding in this area is high, so having a safer, more durable home is essential for my family of two. Lastly, I used the remaining money to buy chairs for us to sit on, which has brought comfort to our home and made life easier when we have visitors. This support from GiveDirectly has truly transformed our lives."

"I attended a fundraiser in my village, and while there, I heard people whispering that they had received money from GiveDirectly. I didn’t have my phone with me because I had left it at home to charge. After the event, I was eager to check if I had also received the money. Two friends accompanied me as I rushed back home, filled with excitement. When I finally checked my phone, I was delighted to see that I had received $180 from GiveDirectly. I was overjoyed, and my first thought was to buy a bed and mattress, as I had been sleeping on a makeshift bedding that was very uncomfortable."

"The biggest change in my life since I started receiving transfers from GiveDirectly is the immense sense of relief I’ve felt knowing that my daughter’s school fees have been paid. This was made possible entirely because of GiveDirectly. Without their support, my child would have fallen behind in her studies, as I had no other funds available at that moment. This assistance has been crucial in ensuring her continued education and has greatly alleviated my worries. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for this timely support."

"When I received $180 from GiveDirectly, I was excited and knew I had to stick to my original plan, despite having many pressing issues. I allocated $105 to buy two sheep, increasing my flock from three to five. I chose to invest in sheep for their long-term benefits. With two young children, I want to ensure that I can cover their school fees in the future, and by letting the sheep multiply, I hope to secure a stable income to support their education without struggling. I also set aside $35 to buy food for my children. At that time, we struggled with food since we had just returned from a camp after being displaced by floods. With this money, we could have enough food, which brought happiness to my family. Additionally, my farm needed irrigation, so I used $15 for that purpose. I spent the remaining money on clothes for everyone in my family. Thanks to the support from GiveDirectly, I was able to address these immediate needs and make a meaningful investment in our future."