"I was doing my usual job of tapping wine from my relative's palm trees in the afternoon for sale and taking care of his farm when I received a message on my phone. When I checked the message to confirm receipt and who could have sent it, I was surprised to see that it was an Mpesa message. I was even more thrilled to discover that it was my first transfer from GiveDirectly. Receiving this money made me really happy because it meant that I could finally build a new home for myself after struggling with shelter for years."

"I was doing my usual job of tapping wine from my relative's palm trees in the afternoon for sale and taking care of his farm when I received a message on my phone. When I checked the message to confirm receipt and who could have sent it, I was surprised to see that it was an Mpesa message. I was even more thrilled to discover that it was my first transfer from GiveDirectly. Receiving this money made me really happy because it meant that I could finally build a new home for myself after struggling with shelter for years."

"I separated from my husband a long time ago, and since then, I’ve had to take care of my children on my own. Life has been difficult, trying to meet all their needs by myself. I work as a community mobilizer and have three children. When I received my most recent transfer, the first thing I did was pay $100 for my grandmother’s hospital bill. Sadly, she passed away, but I was relieved to have been able to settle her medical expenses. With the remaining money, I bought a bed and a mattress for $70 because my children had been sleeping on the floor, which was tough for them. I also used the rest of the funds to buy food. This transfer has truly changed our lives, and I am forever grateful for the support that has made things easier for my family."

"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 used $60 to clear the school fee arrears for my two daughters in secondary school. I couldn’t bear the thought of them being sent home because they’d miss out on so much learning. Their education is a top priority for me, and this payment helped me ensure that they could stay in school without interruptions. I also used $36 to buy six plastic chairs, adding to the two that I already had. Now, when visitors come over, I don’t have to worry about where they will sit. Additionally, I bought a bag of maize for $30, as we had none left in storage. With the maize, I know our family has food security for the coming weeks, which gives me peace of mind. I used another $15 to finally pay off a debt that had been lingering for too long, and it was causing tension with the person I owed. Clearing that debt lifted a weight off my shoulders. The remainder of the money went towards household food items, and I also spent $10 on clothes for my children. Being able to provide these essentials, thanks to the transfer, has brought much-needed relief to our family."

"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."

"I was sitting outside my home, enjoying the fresh air. At eight months pregnant, I was feeling a bit tired, but it was a peaceful moment. Suddenly, I heard a notification on my phone. Curious, I reached for it and saw a message from GiveDirectly. They had sent me $200! Excitement rushed through me, and my heart filled with joy. The first thought that came to mind was how I could use this money to pay school fees for my children. With this, they could open the term on time, and their education could continue without  interruptions."

"My current house is small, cramped, and has leaking issues, which makes it difficult for my family to sleep comfortably. To enhance our living conditions, I intend to set aside a portion of my transfers in our savings group. Once the savings reach maturity in December, I will withdraw them and allocate the funds towards constructing a new two-room house for my family, ensuring that we can rest comfortably and stay warm. Furthermore, I aim to expand my livestock by using the transfers to purchase goats, in addition to the chickens I already own. The chickens are expected to multiply, allowing me to sell them in case of any unforeseen emergencies. The goats will increase in number and value, eventually enabling me to exchange them for cows in the future. These cows will then be utilized for plowing my farm. I am truly appreciative and optimistic about my plans as they hold significant importance for me."