"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!"

"Before receiving the transfer from GiveDirectly, life was a constant struggle. The floods had left my home unlivable, forcing my youngest daughter and me to relocate to a camp. Even after returning, the house was still damp, and soon after, I fell ill with pneumonia. My daughter also got sick with a cold, and I felt helpless as a mother. However, after receiving GiveDirectly's first transfer, everything changed. My first thought was to build a new house, a safe and dry place where we could live without the fear of floods or illness. My brother generously gave me land to build on, and with my savings, GiveDirectly cash, and selling one of my goats, I was able to build a proper house. Now, life is so much better. I wake up every day feeling grateful and relieved that my daughter and I have a comfortable home."

"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."

"I was in Marigat town, where I usually take vegetables to sell when I suddenly saw a message notification on my phone. To my surprise, it was a message saying I had received money from GiveDirectly. I can't even describe how happy I was at that moment because I had been eagerly waiting for this money to help with my construction plans at home. The timing couldn't have been better. Without wasting any time, I walked straight to the nearest hardware store and paid for all the materials I needed. Then, I headed home, excited to tell my wife about this unexpected blessing."

"The biggest difference since receiving the cash transfer is that it provided my family with immediate relief and stability. We no longer had to worry about food, which allowed us to focus on our maize farm without the constant stress of daily survival. Clearing the school fees ensured my child stayed in school without any interruptions, bringing me peace of mind. Additionally, the new clothes for my family lifted our spirits, helping us feel better despite the challenges we continue to face. The transfer has given us a sense of security and hope for a more stable future. I am truly grateful to GiveDirectly for their support."

"The biggest difference for me since receiving the cash transfer is the chance to invest in agriculture, which has completely changed my family’s financial future. With the funds, I was able to plant watermelons, and I anticipate a significant profit that will help me start a business in buying and selling sheep. This support has given me the opportunity to build a path out of poverty, something I never thought possible before. Without GiveDirectly, I wouldn’t have had the means to begin farming, as watermelon cultivation requires a substantial amount of capital."

"Receiving the transfer has made a huge difference in my life. Before, I was constantly stressed about how to pay my children’s school fees. Without the support from GiveDirectly, my kids might have been stuck at home, and I would have felt ashamed in the village seeing them not attending school. They had already been out of school for about five weeks, which was a difficult time for us. Thanks to the transfer, I was able to pay their fees and get them back into school. Now, I am much more at ease, knowing they are receiving their education and not falling behind. "

"I was at home preparing meals for my family around 6 pm when I decided to check my phone. To my surprise, I saw that money from GiveDirectly had been sent to me earlier. I was so happy! I immediately told my children that we had received money, and they were just as excited as I was. They had been sent home to fetch school fees, and this money couldn't have come at a better time."

"The moment I received the money was unforgettable. It was around 4 p.m., and I was at home with my wife after coming back from the farm. I was feeling a mix of exhaustion and worry, as the floods had almost pushed us back to square one, taking away much of what we had. There was no way to burn charcoal, which is how we make a living, and we were struggling to buy even the basics.When I checked and saw the money, I was filled with joy and relief. It felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Without wasting any time, I rushed to the nearby center to buy flour, knowing that at least we would have food to eat. It was a moment of pure happiness because, for the first time in a long while, we had hope and some security. The timing couldn’t have been better."

"It was Sunday afternoon, and I had just come back from church, feeling very stressed. A few days earlier, on Friday, my children were sent home from school because I couldn’t pay their fees. I was worried and didn’t know where the money would come from. The thought of my children missing school made me feel even worse. As the day went on, I was deep in thought when suddenly, my sons ran into the house, shouting excitedly, "Mum! GiveDirectly has sent money!" At first, I didn’t believe it. I quickly picked up my phone to check, and to my surprise, the money was really there. I was so happy and relieved that I started praying, thanking God for such a wonderful blessing. The next day, I was able to send my children back to school, feeling grateful for the help that came at just the right time."