"Before I received the cash transfer from GiveDirectly, I had no idea how I was going to cover the school fees for my son, especially now that he's in Form Four and the final exams are approaching. It was such a stressful time because I knew how important it was for him to focus on his studies, yet the fees balances were piling up, and I feared he might get sent home. But thanks to GiveDirectly, I was able to clear the fees, and my son hasn't missed any classes. On top of that, I was able to invest in my business by buying more stock and repairing the television that was broken, which has brought my business back to life. These transfers have relieved so much stress, and I couldn't be more grateful."

"I take on various part-time jobs, such as washing and serving in hotels, to make ends meet. In addition to this, I run a grocery business to support my family. In the coming year and beyond, my goal is to have a spacious separate house where I can have some peace. Currently, we are living in the same house as the goats, in separate rooms. This situation isn't healthy at all. I also have skills in tailoring and would like to start my own tailoring business. However, my major challenge is that I have not been able to afford a tailoring machine, and I am also looking for a suitable business premise. Therefore, I have started saving a portion of my GiveDirectly transfers in our merry-go-round group. This savings will help me acquire the sewing machine and set up the business premise. I am truly grateful for the financial support, as it has helped me to progress to a higher level."

"I am grateful to GiveDirectly for enabling me to acquire seven goats through their transfers. This is an investment that I had longed to establish, and I am pleased with the progress I have made. I still plan to continue investing in this project as it will act as my future financial security. I am aware that these transfers will soon come to an end, and this project will serve as a lasting reminder of the support I received. Looking forward, I have two priority items. Firstly, I am determined to ensure that I can afford to send my child to college. To achieve this, I am saving in our merry-go-round to generate enough income to support my child's education. Education is the key to success, and I want to ensure that my children receive the best education possible. Secondly, I intend to continue investing in goat rearing. As the goats multiply, I will be able to sell them and support my children's needs."

"As a mother of two children, I am fully dedicated to ensuring they receive a good education despite the financial challenges we face. Our eldest son has recently completed his Form Four, and we are extremely grateful for the opportunities he has had. Currently, our focus is on supporting our other son, Karisa, to enroll and complete his education as well. Financial stability is an ongoing concern for us, particularly because my husband's income from cutting and selling brushing sticks is not consistent, and I am currently unemployed. I am managing our home and saving diligently from transfers to make ends meet. Our approach involves prioritizing one child's education at a time. At present, our main goal is to support our eldest son through his mechanical engineering studies. We firmly believe that once he completes his education, he will be able to secure a good job that will enable him to support our family and help our son attend college."

"Buying furniture using my first transfer from GiveDirectly has made a huge difference in my life. At my age of about 60 today, I had never owned any furniture due to financial constraints. I am happy now because, for the first time, I have a sofa and a cupboard in my home. My eight children, six of whom are married, have never seen a sofa or a cupboard in our house before. This new addition is more than just furniture; it’s a symbol of progress and comfort that we’ve longed for."

"I was on my farm tending to my calves when I heard my phone beep with a message. Curious, I checked, and there it was: I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I couldn’t believe it at first and had to check it twice just to be sure. I rushed home to tell my wife, and we both couldn’t stop smiling. Things had been really tough for us at that time, and this transfer felt like a lifeline. It was a moment of pure relief and joy."

"I was outside my house, waiting for supper while my wife was cooking. Suddenly, I heard my phone beep with a message; upon checking, I had received my first transfer. Excited, I called my wife over and showed her the message. We both felt a surge of happiness. My first thought was of my tomato farm, which had been struggling with pests due to a lack of pesticides. Now, I could finally do something about it. The timing couldn't have been more perfect!"

"As I was coming back from my farm after harvesting the little maize that survived the floods, I heard my phone beep around 3 p.m. I handed it to my daughter, who’s in primary school, to check the message for me since I can’t read. 'Mom, you've received money!' she told me excitedly. When she mentioned the amount, I immediately knew it was from GiveDirectly. I felt so overjoyed—it was the best news ever. At that moment, I knew my days of living in a damp house, caused by the floods, were coming to an end. Thank you, GiveDirectly!"

"After completing my secondary school education with a C plain in 2021, I had hoped to pursue a teaching course. However, due to financial constraints, my mother could not afford it. Instead, she enrolled me in a hairdressing course because it was a bit cheaper, to provide me with a skill for future income. While I successfully completed the course, I am yet to start my own salon and become self-employed, as financial limitations continue to be my biggest challenge."

"Thanks to the financial transfers, I now have nine hens. My plan is to expand further by investing in more livestock. I am especially interested in purchasing goats with my upcoming transfers because they breed quickly. This will allow me to sell some in a short time and generate income. I'm deeply grateful for the support, which is helping me become more financially independent and capable of meeting my needs."