"When I received the cash transfer, I knew I had to prioritize my daughter’s education. She is in Form Four, and her future depends on how well she does in her final exams. The $50 I spent on her school fees was essential because she had arrears that needed clearing. After that, I spent $48 on maize and beans to feed my family. The floods had devastated our farm, destroying everything we had planted. With no harvest and no casual jobs available, putting food on the table had become a daily struggle. The maize and beans will sustain us for a while, ensuring that my family doesn’t go to bed hungry as we try to get back on our feet. The rest of the money went towards replacing essential household items and addressing my son's health needs. I bought three plastic chairs, a table, and some plates and cups since the floods had swept away what we owned. Every cent was spent with careful thought, addressing our most pressing needs to help us move forward."

"The biggest difference that this money brought into our lives is that my son is finally settled in school. Before we received this help, it was heartbreaking to see him stressed out, always wondering if he'd be able to stay in school the next day or if he'd be sent back home again. This uncertainty weighed heavily on him, especially since he's a candidate preparing for his final exams. Thanks to the support from GiveDirectly, all that has changed. The school fees are now paid, and he no longer has to worry about being sent home. With that stress lifted, he can finally focus on his studies and prepare for his exams with a clear mind."

"In the afternoon, while I was in the farm with my sister, taking care of the crops, a message popped up on my phone. When I checked it, I saw that GiveDirectly had sent me $200. I immediately told my sister, and we both celebrated the good news, as it was a huge support for us. My first thought was to stay calm and not let my excitement get the better of me, so I could stick to my plan for using the money wisely."

"I was sitting outside at home, enjoying the sunset, when my son came to tell me that I had received $180 from GiveDirectly. This was exactly the news I needed at that moment. All my worries seemed to lighten, and my heart was filled with joy and gratitude. My first thought was to use the money to go to the hospital, as I had been sick and didn’t have the funds for treatment. The news brought me immense relief and a sense of hope."

"I was at home that evening when my helper brought me the good news that GiveDirectly had sent me $180. It was a moment of pure joy because I knew exactly how this money would help me. My immediate thought was to use it to buy new bedding, so I could finally enjoy a comfortable sleep. The excitement I felt was overwhelming, as I had been longing for this comfort for a long time."

"When I received $180 from GiveDirectly, I had several pressing issues, and the most urgent one was my son's education. He had been accepted to join university, but I didn’t have the money to send him. I used $100 to cover his travel and other expenses, allowing him to finally join. He is now in school, and I am preparing to support him consistently because he values his education and doesn’t want to be left behind while others study. I also used $30 to buy food for my family. After the floods that destroyed my farm, it became essential to ensure we had enough to eat. The support from GiveDirectly allowed me to provide for them during this difficult time. Additionally, I was sleeping on an old bed with a torn mattress, which made resting uncomfortable. With the remaining money, I bought a new mattress, and now I can sleep with dignity and comfort. Thanks to GiveDirectly, my family and I are living with more security and peace."

"Upon receiving the $180 from GiveDirectly, I was full of excitement and immediately began allocating the money to address the most pressing needs in my family. At the time, my youngest child had been sent home from school due to unpaid fees. It pained me to see her at home while her classmates continued their studies. I knew how much she valued education, and seeing her fall behind was deeply troubling. That’s why I used $100 to pay her school fees. The very next day, she returned to school, and the smile on her face as she walked out the door filled my heart with joy. Knowing she was back on track with her peers made me proud. Her happiness meant everything to me because I wanted her to succeed and stay on par with the other children. The money also came at a time when my family was struggling to put food on the table. With three children to feed, I decided to use $30 to buy enough food that would last us for at least a month. This brought great relief, as I no longer had to worry about where our next meal would come from. I also used $20 to buy clothes for myself and my children. It was important to me that we all felt the impact of GiveDirectly’s support, not just through food and education but in small comforts like having decent clothes to wear. With the remaining money, I bought a charcoal stove, something I had needed for a long time. Cooking had become a challenge, especially during the rainy season. During the last flood, everything in my homestead was swept away, and I wanted to be better prepared. The stove would make cooking easier, even during tough weather conditions."

"While cleaning my clothes at home, I received a message on my phone but didn’t check it immediately. Later, I realized it was a notification of a transfer from GiveDirectly, and I was overwhelmed with excitement, quickly calling my children to share the news. The relief was immense, as I had been stressed over my son's hospital bills after months of illness, and I immediately sent some of the money to cover those expenses."

"The biggest difference in my life since receiving the cash from GiveDirectly is that I've been able to plant tomatoes for the first time. Before, I had a piece of land—about 3/4 of an acre—that I had ploughed, but I didn't have the money to buy seeds. It was frustrating to see the land just sitting there, ready but unused. Thanks to the support from GiveDirectly, I finally got the money I needed to purchase the seeds and start my tomato farm. Now, I can proudly say that I’m a tomato farmer. This has been a dream of mine for a long time, and it feels incredible to see it come to life. The tomatoes are growing well, and I’m hopeful that this harvest will bring in a good income, which will help me improve my family's life. I’m deeply grateful for this opportunity, as it has opened up a new chapter in my life that I never thought I would be able to achieve on my own."

"When we moved here in 2021, we had big dreams of building a better house, but with our limited resources, it felt like it would take us a lifetime to accomplish. We were determined, but the progress was slow but then,  GiveDirectly stepped in, and everything changed.The biggest difference I've seen is the tangible progress we've made. Before, the idea of buying iron sheets for the roof was just that—an idea, something we hoped for but couldn't quite reach. But now, with the funds from GiveDirectly, we’ve been able to purchase them, and seeing those sheets stacked and ready to go feels like seeing light at the end of the tunnel. It’s a sign that our dream of a better home is finally coming true, and that gives us so much hope and motivation to keep going."