"I was at home doing house chores when my phone rang. When I checked, I realized I had received a transfer from GiveDirectly. Overwhelmed with joy, I immediately shared the news with my husband, who was also home at the time. He was just as happy as I was. We quickly sat down together to plan how best to use the funds. We knew this was the start of a better future for us, and we couldn’t be more grateful."

"I used $100 to pay for my two children’s school fees. My daughter is in Form 1, and my son is in Grade 2. With this money, I managed to clear her school fee arrears and pay for this term as well. I didn’t want her to be sent home due to unpaid fees, so this was a huge relief for me. I also used $50 to start a small business selling fruits and blended juice. This was especially important because the floods had destroyed everything on our farm. Now, I have a way to earn some income and support my family. Additionally, I spent $20 on clothes for my children. They didn’t have nice clothes to wear when going out, and I wanted them to feel good about themselves. Finally, I used the remaining $30 to buy food items for our household. We had been struggling with food insecurity, and this money helped us restock essential food items. I feel more secure now, knowing that my children are fed and that I am working toward a better future for our family."

"In the coming months, my goal is to continue using my subsequent transfers to purchase food. This will ensure that my family has a consistent food supply, and we never miss any meals. Additionally, I want to invest in livestock. The ability of livestock to multiply over time makes them a good investment. Once they reproduce, I can sell some and earn money that I can use to address my family's needs. To achieve this goal, I plan to save a portion of my transfers every month and use the accumulated amount to buy livestock. I am very happy and appreciative of the financial support that has helped my family live a better life despite the challenges we face. This assistance has given us hope and allowed us to maintain a good quality of life even in the face of difficult circumstances."

"My goal in the coming months is to continue using a portion of my transfers to buy food and ensure my family is well-fed. In addition to purchasing food, I want to invest in more livestock. To achieve this, I plan to save part of the transfers, which will eventually allow me to buy additional goats. Livestock is a good investment for me because they have the potential to multiply over time. Once the herd grows, I can sell some of them and use the money to address my family's needs, providing us with a stable source of income. I am very happy and appreciative of the financial support, which has helped me live a better life despite my financial struggles. This support has given me hope and allowed me to plan for a more secure and sustainable future for my family."

"With the money I received, the first thing I did was buy house furniture. I spent $100 on plastic chairs, a sofa set, and utensils because my house was completely empty. My child had built me a house, but we hadn’t been able to furnish it yet. Now, I can finally sit comfortably in my own home, and it feels like a big improvement. Having proper furniture gives me pride and comfort, especially when guests come to visit. Additionally, I used $30 to purchase a sheep. My plan is to let it multiply so that I can sell some in the future if there's an emergency or when I need extra money. Livestock is a form of savings for me, and once it grows, I'll use the income to invest in agricultural farming. It's my way of ensuring that I have a reliable source of income, even when times get tough. Lastly, I spent the remaining $50 on foodstuffs to stock my home. I used to depend on casual jobs like weeding, where I would earn $200 a day, but it wasn’t enough to cover everything. I am the only one at home since all my children are married, and my husband passed away three years ago. This cash transfer has made a big difference, giving me the peace of mind that my basic needs are now taken care of, and I can focus on growing my future."

"That day, while I was busy doing my house chores, my daughter came over and asked, "Mum, did you hear a message on your phone?" I told her, "Yes, but I haven’t checked it yet." Curious, I handed her my phone, and she said, "People are saying the money has arrived; let me check for you." When she looked, to my surprise, she smiled and told me, "Yes, you’ve received money from GiveDirectly!" I was overjoyed and immediately thanked God for sending blessings to my home. My first thought was to use the money to pay the school fees for my three children, who had been sent home due to unpaid fees. I had been so stressed, not knowing how to get them back to school, and this felt like a huge relief."

"It was around 3pm, and I was outside doing laundry when the money arrived. My phone was inside the house, so I didn't check it right away. After finishing my washing, I went back inside and saw the notification on my phone—it was the money! I felt a wave of happiness and relief wash over me. Instantly, my mind started racing with plans. I had always wanted to own more livestock, and now, with this money, I knew I could finally buy cows and sheep. It felt like a dream come true, and I was so grateful for the opportunity."

"Before receiving the transfer, I had no capital to start farming because all my money went towards enrolling my children in university. I struggled without savings and was constantly worried about how to provide for my family. When GiveDirectly stepped in, it changed everything. With the money, I was able to lease land for farming and ensure we had enough food at home, which reduced a lot of my stress. Now, I’ve even saved some income from my casual jobs and managed to open a small grocery kiosk to help cover daily needs like milk and vegetables. This support has made a big difference in my life, giving me stability and hope for the future. Thanks so much Givedirectly."

"Since I received the unconditional cash from GiveDirectly, the biggest difference I've seen is in the stability it has brought to my life. So far, since I started my small business, I’ve made a profit of $500, which allowed my family and me to buy a small piece of land, 50 by 100 feet, in a raised area that's safe from floods. This was such a relief, knowing we now have a secure place to live. I'm also expecting a baby in December, and by then, I plan to use the second transfer to build a new house on the land we bought, so my family can have a safe and comfortable home. This support has completely changed our future for the better."

"My neighbor was having a video shoot with the GiveDirectly staff, and they casually informed us that we’d be receiving money that very day. I wasn’t sure at first, but I kept my phone close, just in case. After a short while, I heard the familiar chime of a message coming through. When I checked, there it was – the GiveDirectly transfer! I was overwhelmed with happiness, knowing that I could finally buy the household essentials I had been needing for so long. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders."