"After receiving $180 from GiveDirectly, the first thing I needed to address was my bedding. I had been sleeping on the floor and had never owned a mattress before. So, I used $80 to buy a bed and a comfortable mattress. Now, my nights have changed for the better. I enjoy my sleep, and my health and overall well-being have improved. I no longer feel old and tired. Next, I used $70 to buy food. It was important for me to stock up on food since my age limits my ability to work. I don’t have much energy, and I depend on my younger son for help. With this food, I can rely less on him, as I now have enough to eat and can take regular meals. During that time, I was bitten by a snake, and I used $15 to get the necessary medication. Thankfully, I am back to my normal health now. Without the money from GiveDirectly, I wouldn’t have been able to afford the medical attention I needed after such a serious attack. Finally, I used the remaining money to pay my youngest child's school fees. I didn’t want him to be chased away from school for lack of fees, so I made sure he could continue his education. This support from GiveDirectly has made a significant difference in my life and the lives of my family members."

"Recently, I received $200 from GiveDirectly, and this support came at the perfect time, as the floods that swept through my village had left me feeling hopeless. I have two children in secondary school, and I was worried about how to pay their school fees. They were on the verge of staying home and possibly dropping out of school. But when I received the money from GiveDirectly, I used $120 to pay for their fees. Now, they haven’t missed a day of school, and this fills my heart with joy and gratitude. I also used $37 to buy food since I no longer had a farm to rely on after the floods destroyed everything. At least now we have enough food to eat, which is a great relief. The recent floods also swept away my bedding, so I used $32 to buy a bed, which has greatly improved my sleep and comfort. With this, I can now rest well after a long day. Lastly, I spent the remaining money on clothes for going to events. I didn’t have any nice clothes before, but now I can go out confidently, feeling good about how I look. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for this life-changing support."

"I was out looking after my farm when I received a notification on my phone, telling me that I had received $180. At first, I couldn’t believe it was true. I felt unsure, so I decided to buy some airtime to check if the money was really there. To my surprise, when I checked, I confirmed that the money had indeed been sent to me. I was so excited and couldn’t hold back my joy. My heart was full of gratitude, knowing how much this would help me."

"I had just returned from attending a funeral in our neighborhood. Since my phone didn’t have any charge, I left it at home to charge while I was away. Upon arriving home, I powered on my phone and immediately received a message from GiveDirectly informing me that I had received $200. It caught me off guard because I wasn’t aware that the transfers had been sent. Excitedly, I shared the news with my children. Our first thought was to use the money to address our family’s housing situation, something we had been wanting to improve for a long time."

"The biggest change in my daily life is that my children now have a comfortable place to sleep since I was able to buy a bed and mattress. Before, we used to sleep on the floor, which was hard. I also managed to stock up on food, so now we can have at least two meals a day. Before this, we could only afford to eat once a day. I am forever grateful for the support that has brought smiles in our faces."

"Now that I am in my final year of secondary school, preparing for my transition is very important. After secondary school, I want to join college and study education, as I have dreams of becoming a teacher by profession. To do this, I have been buying goats and chickens, and I hope that they multiply in number so that in the future I may be able to sell some of them and use the proceeds to pay my school fees. Additionally, I also intend to continue using a portion of my transfers to pay school fees for myself and assist my parents, as I know this is very heavy on them since they do not have a stable and reliable source of income. I am very grateful for these transfers from GiveDirectly, as they have been very helpful in my educational journey, and I am hopeful that I can achieve my dreams."

"I was on the farm alongside my wife when I received a message from GiveDirectly informing me that I had received $180. I felt a wave of happiness and relief wash over me, especially since I had just been displaced by floods. So much was going on in my mind, but my first thought was to buy building materials. This money could help us rebuild and find some stability amid the chaos."

"In the coming year, my goal is to start goat farming because goats are more affordable and easier to maintain than cows, even though I already have one cow. I plan to save at least $10 monthly from my transfers to accumulate enough to buy one goat at a time. Currently, a goat costs around $50 due to high demand, but with steady savings, I know I can reach that amount. Starting with one goat, I hope to slowly build a herd, which will provide my family with a reliable source of income through offspring and meat selling. Over time, this will not only improve our financial stability but also allow me to expand the farm."

"I remember being at my farm, weeding the maize when I heard the familiar tone of my phone. I quickly put down my tools and pulled my phone from my pocket to check the notification. When I saw that the message was from GiveDirectly and it was the cash transfer I had been hoping for, my heart leaped with excitement. I rushed to tell my children, barely able to contain my joy, and as we stood together, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. Finally, I was going to pay the school fees for my two children in secondary school."

"The biggest difference in my life is the significant improvement in my daily life and overall well-being thanks to the support from GiveDirectly. Before receiving the cash transfer, I often faced food insecurity and skipped meals. Now, I can buy enough food, which has improved my nutrition and given me peace of mind. Also, I can purchase building materials, bringing me closer to a more comfortable and secure home. Transitioning from my traditional manyatta house to a modern one fulfills my long-held desire for better security. Finally, having the means to pay for medical attention has positively impacted my health. Being able to access medication ensures I can manage my health effectively. Overall, the support from GiveDirectly has provided me with transformative change, stability, and improved well-being."