"When I received the unconditional cash transfer, I prioritized paying off the school fees arrears for my three children in secondary school, which cost me $200. Education is very important to me, and I didn’t want them to miss any more classes due to unpaid fees. Clearing their balances brought me a huge sense of relief, knowing they could now focus fully on their studies without the worry of being sent home. I also spent $100 to replace my bed and mattress, which were destroyed by floods. For months, I’d been sleeping on sacks and mats, and finally having a proper bed again felt like a return to dignity and comfort. It was a long-awaited change, and I’m grateful to have a place to sleep that provides me with proper rest. With the remaining money, I bought household essentials, including two bags of maize to ensure my family had enough food. Food security has been a constant concern, so securing this supply was a top priority. I also set aside a small amount for emergencies or additional food needs that may arise. This support has truly helped me stabilize my household and provide a better environment for my family."

"When I first heard about the GiveDirectly program, I was skeptical, but as soon as the money was sent directly to me, that skepticism turned into relief. For once, I felt like I had control over my own life and choices, knowing that they trusted me with this support. They didn’t try to tell me what to do or restrict me; instead, they left the decision entirely up to me. What stood out to me was how clear and transparent GiveDirectly was from the beginning. They explained everything well, making sure I understood how the program worked and what to expect. There was no confusion or worry because they communicated everything in a way that made sense to us. It’s hard to think of anything that should be changed, as they’ve approached this perfectly—letting us be in charge of our choices, believing in us, and providing us with resources we need. I am grateful that, for once, an organization trusted us enough to empower us, without conditions or interference."

"I had long yearned to own livestock at my homestead, but I didn’t have the funds to buy any. As soon as I received some money, I spent $140 to purchase two goats, which are now at my home. I’m confident that these goats will soon multiply, allowing me to achieve several goals through them, including the possibility of exchanging them for dairy cows in the future. This will help me sustain myself in the long term. My son has been taking care of me all this time, even though I am still able to work. Additionally, I bought a large cooking pot for $100 specifically for business purposes; I plan to rent it to neighbours whenever they have events, generating income from that. My house was only halfway built, and I didn’t have enough money to complete it. I used $100 to buy the remaining materials to finish it properly. Previously, some areas, including closets and other parts of the room, were exposed to the rain, but now I feel at ease since my house is fully secure, and I no longer worry about rain getting inside. Finally, I spent $210 on food, as this has been a major concern that could negatively affect our health if not addressed."

"When I received the first cash transfer, I used $390 to buy 30 iron sheets. I’ve been living in a mud house, but it’s barely standing now. The floods hit us hard, and although I’ve tried to repair it, the house keeps falling apart. My goal is to build something more permanent, and these iron sheets are the first step. I’m waiting for the third transfer so I can buy wooden frames and finally get the house construction going. With the rest of the money, I bought food for my household. The floods destroyed our crops, and we lost everything we had planted, leaving us with no harvest. As a single mother with four children, it’s my responsibility to make sure they don’t go hungry. The food I bought has given us some relief, and I can now focus on our next steps without the immediate worry of hunger weighing on me. This support has made a real difference, but I know there’s still a long way to go. Once the house is done, things will start to feel more stable. Until then, I’ll keep pushing forward, knowing that each small step brings us closer to the life I want for my family."

"I want to start a business where I’ll exchange maize for maize flour. You see, the maize mills are really far from here, and it takes around 30 minutes just to have your maize milled. That’s quite inconvenient for many people around. I plan to begin by milling just two bags of maize at first. Then, I’ll offer flour to my neighbors in exchange for their maize, which will keep things circulating locally without everyone having to travel far. The money I’ve made from farming will help me kick off the business. I believe it’ll be profitable, but more than that, it’ll make life easier for my neighbors. In the end, I’ll not only be making a living but also helping my community solve a challenge that’s been here for a long time."

"I used $240 to buy a generator, which I now use to pump water from the river. Before this, I had to rely on borrowing pumps from my neighbors, and it was always a challenge when I needed to water my crops but their pump was in use. Now, I no longer have to wait or negotiate for equipment, and it feels good to manage my farm on my own schedule. Yesterday, I spent most of the day irrigating my maize, and it was a relief to do it without any delays. I also invested $175 in three sheep because they are easy to care for and survive well in this area. I chose sheep not only for their resilience but also as a kind of savings. If an emergency arises, I can sell one and solve the problem quickly without scrambling for money. Lastly, I used $35 to plough an acre of land in preparation for planting maize. The seeds are already in the ground, and I’ve been keeping an eye on them, especially now that I have my own irrigation setup. Having control over the water supply has made a huge difference—I'm no longer worried about missing watering times or depending on anyone else. I’m excited to see how things turn out this season."

"I am currently facing a challenge in providing for my family of seven. I work as a house manager for a neighbor, earning KES 4000 a month. While I use this money to buy food, it is often not enough. Sometimes, I have to take goods on credit from shops, hoping my husband can repay them through his driving job. With schools closing soon, I am worried because I will have to pause my job since my employer will be home full-time. This adds even more stress to an already difficult situation because there will be no salary for those days. For this period , I will reinvest in my tailoring business so as to earn an income from repairing clothes."

"Since receiving cash from GiveDirectly, the biggest difference in my life has been the ability to prioritize my child’s education. By paying the school fees, I have ensured that my child can focus on their national examinations without any interruptions. This brings me immense comfort, knowing they are supported during such an important time. Additionally, addressing our immediate food needs has greatly improved our daily lives. With enough food to eat, my family can go about our activities without the constant worry of hunger. Finally, purchasing the goat represents a step toward sustainability and financial stability. I feel empowered knowing that this investment will multiply and provide us with future resources. Overall, these changes have given me hope and a sense of security for my family’s future."

"The biggest difference since I started receiving cash transfers from GiveDirectly has been in the areas of food and housing. Before this support, my family often struggled to put enough food on the table, which made it difficult to save money. Now, with a consistent supply of food, I have been able to build a saving culture within my family. Most of my income no longer goes toward buying food, allowing us to set aside money for other needs. In terms of housing, I am almost finished building my own house. For seven years, I lived in a borrowed home, which often felt uncertain and temporary. Now, the dream of becoming a homeowner is within reach. Soon, we will move into our new house, bringing a sense of stability and pride to my family. This transformation has truly changed our lives for the better, and I am incredibly grateful for the support from GiveDirectly."

"I was at home alone one morning when I received a message notification on my phone. When I checked it, I saw that GiveDirectly had sent me $200. I felt an overwhelming sense of happiness and gratitude. My first thought was to improve the appearance of my house by buying the necessary furniture. This money would allow me to create a more comfortable and welcoming environment for my family. I couldn’t wait to start making these improvements and enjoy the benefits of a better living space."