"While asleep, I heard a message tone from my phone but I ignored it since I do not know how to read. My husband who is also my helper wakem up to see what kind of a message it was. When he checked, he looked straight into my eyes and smiled before breaking the news that it was the first transfer of $550 from GiveDirectly. My heart was filled with happiness for receiving the money. I tried to hold back and not attract the attention of other people that night though Ifelt like ululating due to happiness."

"Initially, the struggle was real. Getting some food was a big challenge since I solely relied on making and selling charcoals which was not a reliable business. I used to go up to at least three days a week without food. Currently, I am very grateful for the support I received from GiveDirectly because I changed the hunger song I used to sing. I have now taken a break from going to the forest to make charcoals for sale yet I get food not like before. This could not be the case if it were not for GiveDirectly."

"While resting under a shade at home at around 4 pm, my helper who is also my son approached me with good news. He had heard neighbors talking about receiving their transfers from GiveDirectly. Therefore, he took my phone to confirm whether I had also received mine. I was surprised after the confirmation that I had received the money in the past 4 hours. I felt very happy and thankful for the help. Being a widow has been the most challenging thing to go about since I solely depend on charcoal burning."

"Before getting the first transfer, I was going through a tough ailing time with no money for medication. Currently, I am doing well because the money boosted me for medication. In addition to that, I will not strain much on school fees because I saved some amount for them. I also bought some food to ensure food security. Initially, I used to go without food for at least a day a week but now I have access to food. I register my gratitude to the organization."

"During the last year, the intensive rains which come from uphill destroyed my crops(beans) in the gardens. This happens as the heavy rains come, it washes away all the soils and destroys the crops. This left us with scarcity of food and we have to struggle to get two full meal in a day."

"I planted my trees on one acer of land in October 2017, but they were all washed away by land slides that happened in 2018. I and children would get income for sustainability, school fee and food at home,once I sold these trees. But since the incidence happened my financial status got so worse that buying food for my Family is now a challenge since I am a widow. It is also so hard for me to acquire income to buy maize seeds and onion for me to plant, yet while the trees were around this was not a challenge at all,because I would buy the various seeds I needed whenever I would sold my trees."

"Words can't express the happiness that I had when I saw a text message on my screen displayed showing I had received money from GiveDirectly. It was at 3 pm, seated outside my house reading. There was too much heat inside the house. I asked my son to come and confirm whether what I had read in the text was true. He confirmed, and at that moment it was when I believed. I'm grateful for the support of this cash transfer that's nondiscriminatory to anyone. Since we were all equally served respectfully."

"The moment I received my transfer, I can vividly recall that it was in the evening when I was at home relaxing. I was told by my neighbour that he had received money from GiveDirectly, When I went to check if what he was saving was indeed true, that was when I confirmed to have received money from GiveDirectly. This was the best news that I had received that day. It was so refreshing that forgot that I was tired after a long day in the sun. I was overwhelmed with joy because I knew God had answered our prayers. We embarked on planning how we would utilise the money."

"Upon receiving my transfer, I recall I had to prioritize buying food for my family to suppress the drought conditions we were experiencing. We had no maize at our home. I had an empty pocket, and in my old age, I'm no longer productive and energetic as before to work. I am left to rely on my children, my poultry project, and well-wishers for upkeep. I live with my grandchildren. I spent $100 on buying two goats, $60 on foodstuff, and saved $40 for our future daily needs. I was so relieved that my grandchildren would have enough to eat in the days to come."

"I normally rely on casual jobs and farming which help me earn an income that caters to my needs and those of my children. It's barely enough though to care for all our needs. My husband does casual jobs as well although outside of our village. We have seven kids. Upon receipt of my cash transfer, I spent $25 to buy chicken that I rear for business as well as for them to provide us with eggs for home consumption. I spent $55 to purchase a bag of maize, and $50 was spent to purchase a goat. This would have been tough to do because of financial constraints. I am happy to have been able to boost my income through the cash transfer."