"One morning, my son came to me with exciting news. He told me that the GiveDirectly money had arrived, and I was overjoyed. I had no idea the money had come because he was the one with the phone. I instantly felt a wave of relief and happiness. For a long time, I had been sleeping on a mattress on the ground, and each morning, I would wake up feeling tired and in pain because of my back. The thought of finally being able to buy a bed brought me so much hope. I knew this money would change my life and ease my daily struggles."

"When I received the unconditional cash, I knew exactly what I needed to do. I started by buying four plastic chairs for $30 and a sofa set for $55. Before that, I used to sit on a stone outside, and whenever I went into the house, I'd have to sit on the bed. Having proper chairs makes such a difference—it feels like a real home now, and I no longer feel embarrassed when visitors come over. In addition to the furniture, I used $95 to buy two sheep. For me, this was an important investment because sheep multiply quickly. They provide an opportunity to earn money when I need it, especially during emergencies. I can sell one or two if something urgent comes up, and in the meantime, they continue to grow and multiply. Lastly, I also used a part of the money to buy food for my family. The cash transfer helped me prioritize things that will make a lasting difference. Now, I feel more secure knowing I have made some smart investments and improved my home."

"The biggest difference I've seen since receiving the unconditional cash from GiveDirectly is how much I've been able to boost my business. I'm a lot busier now than I was before, and it's been a good change. With the profits I’ve made, which is about $2 from both my shop and small restaurant, I’ve been able to invest in planting half an acre of watermelon. This has given me even more potential for growth. Most importantly, my three children are now constantly in school, unlike before when they used to get sent home for lack of fees. It's a huge relief to know they're getting an uninterrupted education."

"I was at home with my sister, just relaxing around 3 pm, holding my phone, when a message came through. I opened it, and the moment I saw it was from GiveDirectly, I got so excited! I couldn’t wait to share the news. When my husband came home, I told him, “The money has arrived! We can finally harvest our maize.” He smiled, and we both felt a huge sense of relief—it was like everything we’d been waiting for was finally falling into place."

"I  was at the farm, busy weeding my tomatoes, when I suddenly heard a message notification on my phone. My neighbor was with me at the time, and just as I was wondering what the message could be, her daughter came running over to tell us that her mother had received the transfers from GiveDirectly. I quickly checked my phone, and there it was—the money had come through! I was overjoyed, and we celebrated right there in the field, laughing and thanking God. I already knew exactly what I was going to do: buy stakes for my tomatoes to keep them upright and finally pay the dowry for my wife."

"I was just relaxing at home when I heard a message notification on my phone right there next to me. Curious, I picked it up and opened the message, and my heart leaped when I saw it was the GiveDirectly transfer! I couldn’t believe it—I felt so excited! The first thing I did was call my husband to tell him the good news. I was overjoyed because I already had a plan in mind: I wanted to lease a piece of land to plant beans, and now I finally had the money to make it happen."

"Immediately after receiving $180 from GiveDirectly, I used $60 to take my son back to school. He had been home for a week due to a lack of school fees, and it was a stressful time for me because I didn’t want his education to be interrupted. Now he’s back in school, and I’m very grateful for that. Next, I addressed the food situation at home. The floods had swept away my farm, leaving me with no harvest. I used $34 to buy food for my family, ensuring we had regular meals during that difficult time. I also used $60 to take my other child, who was sick, to the hospital. The floods brought cold weather, and diseases were common, but thanks to GiveDirectly, my child is now back to good health. Lastly, I spent the remaining money on clothes for my family, and we all appreciated the support. This assistance has made a big difference in our lives."

"Upon receiving $200 from GiveDirectly, I decided to use the money exactly as I had planned. I allocated $40 to support my grandchild’s education, as he stays with me during the holidays, and I wanted to contribute to his schooling. Next, I wanted to improve my comfort, so I spent $60 on a mattress and bed. Previously, I had been sleeping on makeshift bedding, but now I look forward to bedtime because of the comfort that comes with the new setup. I also used $40 to buy a sheep, which I believe will help me face future challenges as it multiplies. I can sell the sheep later to generate income. Lastly, I spent the remaining money on food, ensuring there is enough at home. Before, I used to skip meals, but now I have enough to eat regularly."

"I was at home with my wife, browsing on my phone, when a message popped up informing me that I had received $200 from GiveDirectly. I immediately shared the news with my wife, and we both felt a rush of excitement. The first thought that came to my mind was to get back into tomato farming. My wife and I began to discuss our plans, feeling hopeful about what this new venture could bring for our family. The support from GiveDirectly had opened up a new path for us, and we were eager to make the most of it"

"The biggest difference since I started receiving cash transfers from GiveDirectly has been in my bedding, health, and food. Before I received these transfers, I used to sleep on the floor, which was very uncomfortable. Now, I sleep on a comfortable bed with a mattress, and this has greatly improved my well-being. Despite my age, I feel young again. Additionally, before the GiveDirectly cash transfers, I relied heavily on my son to take care of my bills. Now, with the money I received, I have been able to buy food, which has enabled me to be self-dependent. Lastly, after being bitten by a snake, I used some of the money to seek the necessary medical attention. This would have been difficult without the transfer. Overall, these changes have had a positive impact on my life, and I am truly grateful for the support from GiveDirectly."