"I was in town doing my shopping around 4 PM when I heard a notification on my phone. When I checked the message, I saw that I had received the money, and I was overjoyed! For the past five years, my house has been without sofas and curtains, so this was a big deal for me. I immediately thought about how I could improve the appearance of my home. It felt like a wonderful opportunity to make my living space more comfortable and welcoming. I couldn't wait to use the money to buy the things my home had been missing for so long!"

"The day I received my unconditional cash transfer felt like a blessing for my family. With nine children, our old house was too small to accommodate all of us comfortably. Therefore, I decided to buy iron sheets for $50 to construct a new home where my children can live safely and happily. This investment was not just about shelter; it was about creating a better future for my family, where we could grow without feeling cramped. Furthermore, I used another $50 to purchase a sheep, which is an important investment for our livelihood. Since we didn’t own any livestock, having a sheep would help improve our situation over time. I believe that as it grows and multiplies, it will provide us with additional resources and income. This decision brought me hope and excitement about what our future could hold. Additionally, I spent $40 on clothes for my family. We had no decent clothes for vacations, and I wanted my children to feel proud when we went out together. Lastly, I allocated $40 for food supplies, which we desperately needed since our farming efforts were disrupted by floods that destroyed our two acres of maize. My husband and I had to rely on casual jobs and charcoal burning, but this cash transfer allowed us to meet our basic needs and feel a sense of security again."

"When I received my cash transfer, I felt a wave of hope wash over me. I immediately decided to spend $50 on a bed and a mattress for my children. Before this, they had no proper place to sleep and often went to our neighbor's house at night. It was not safe for them to walk outside our home after dark, and I wanted to change that. Additionally, I spent $110 on a new cupboard because the old one was too small and often left my things disorganized. My children would accidentally knock utensils down, making a mess, and I knew I needed a better solution to keep our home tidy. With the remaining money, I decided to purchase more food stock for my tailoring business. I make a modest income from my tailoring work at the local center, earning about $2 per day. This extra food stock allows me to save some of my income instead of constantly buying groceries. My husband works as a court clerk, bringing in a net salary of $350 a month, and together we strive to provide for our two children. Life has been challenging since we lost our two acres of maize in the floods, but we are learning to balance our finances. Furthermore, having a proper bed and a well-organized cupboard has brought peace to our home. My children are now sleeping soundly in their own bed, and I feel more at ease knowing they are safe. I also feel proud that I can manage my tailoring business better with the new supplies. Each improvement, no matter how small, makes a big difference in our lives. Thanks to this cash transfer, I feel more confident and hopeful about our future."

"Before receiving the transfer, I only had the sheep that were given to me as a wedding gift, and I didn't feel like I truly owned enough livestock of my own. However, after getting the money, I was able to buy more sheep, which made me feel proud because now I have something that I personally invested in. Adding more sheep also means that they will multiply, giving me more animals in the future. This has brought a sense of security and confidence, knowing I can build my own wealth. The difference is now I feel more in control of my livestock, not just relying on gifts. It's a big step forward for me and my family's future."

"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."

"The biggest difference I've seen since receiving the unconditional cash from GiveDirectly is that I was finally able to buy four chairs and a sofa set. Before the transfers, I used to sit on logs outside, or worse, I had to borrow seats from my neighbors. That never sat well with me, especially because people would talk behind my back, saying things like, I used to be a teacher, but I can't even afford to buy proper seats. It hurt because teaching didn't pay much, and I eventually quit because of the meager salary. But now, thanks to the cash, I no longer have to rely on anyone for something as basic as furniture, and that sense of independence feels incredible."

"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 used the transfer to pay workers to help me harvest, which made a big difference because, in the past, I would have had to find casual jobs just to raise enough money. That would mean spending valuable time working elsewhere instead of focusing on my farm. Sometimes, I’d also borrow from neighbors, but borrowing comes with its stress—people expect their money back quickly, even when you don’t have it. The pressure to repay would hang over me for weeks, making things hard. With the cash I received, I avoided all that hassle and stress. More importantly, I didn’t have to take on any debt. I could handle everything smoothly, and now, I can plan better for the next season. The harvest was completed without delays, and I have peace of mind knowing I owe no one. "

"When I received the unconditional cash from GiveDirectly, the biggest difference it made was that I was finally able to pay dowry for my wife. This was a huge relief for me because, before that, things weren’t as smooth. Whenever my wife would go back to her parent's home, it used to feel difficult for me to follow her there since I hadn’t officially fulfilled that obligation. But now that the dowry is paid, our relationship with her family has also improved. I have gained more respect from my in-laws, and there is now a real sense of connection between us.  My wife is happier too, which makes life at home much easier and more fulfilling. With that stress gone, we can now plan better for our future together, and it feels like we are really on the same page. All this became possible because of GiveDirectly, and I am deeply grateful for that."

"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."