"Immediately after receiving $180 from GiveDirectly, I used $60 to take my son back to school. He had been home for a week due to a lack of school fees, and it was a stressful time for me because I didn’t want his education to be interrupted. Now he’s back in school, and I’m very grateful for that. Next, I addressed the food situation at home. The floods had swept away my farm, leaving me with no harvest. I used $34 to buy food for my family, ensuring we had regular meals during that difficult time. I also used $60 to take my other child, who was sick, to the hospital. The floods brought cold weather, and diseases were common, but thanks to GiveDirectly, my child is now back to good health. Lastly, I spent the remaining money on clothes for my family, and we all appreciated the support. This assistance has made a big difference in our lives."

"I was at home, unable to read messages because of my age, so I was waiting for someone to help me check if I had received any transfers from GiveDirectly. My assigned helper was far away, so I had to wait. Then, a GiveDirectly officer visited me and informed me that I had received $200. I was so happy when I heard the news! The first thought that came to my mind was to use the money to pay school fees for my grandchild. It gave me such relief knowing that I could now support their education. This assistance from GiveDirectly truly lifted a burden off my shoulders."

"The biggest difference in my life since I started receiving cash transfers from GiveDirectly has been my ability to get back to farming after the floods. Previously, my one-acre tomato farm was swept away by the floods, which affected me deeply since it was my only source of income. I felt lost and uncertain about the future. However, with the support from GiveDirectly, I was able to return to farming. I found a much safer piece of land, away from the threat of floods, where I could plant tomatoes again. This opportunity has brought me so much joy and relief. I am incredibly grateful for the help I received, as it has allowed me to regain my passion for farming and secure a means of income for my family. Thanks to GiveDirectly, I am back to doing what I love, and I look forward to a better future."

"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."

"The biggest difference since I started receiving cash transfers from GiveDirectly has been in my children's education and providing food for my family. Before, my children would often have to stay home because I couldn't afford their school fees, and they would miss several days of school. But with GiveDirectly’s support, I was able to pay their fees, and for the first time, they will complete a whole term without missing a single day of studies. On the food front, the cash transfers have enabled my family to have regular meals. After the floods destroyed my farm and left me with no harvest, it was a struggle to feed my family. Thanks to GiveDirectly, we now have enough food, and I no longer have to worry about where our next meal will come from."

"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."

"Before I started receiving cash transfers from GiveDirectly, my family struggled a lot, especially after floods destroyed our home. We had been living in a small, old manyatta, which was not enough for my family of five children. After the floods swept it away, we were left with very little, and life was hard. However, with the help of the GiveDirectly transfers, I was able to buy building materials and construct a new house. Now, we live in a much better home, and our lives have greatly improved. The house has brought us dignity and comfort, something we didn’t have before. The transfers have also made a big difference in my children's education. Before, my child would miss school for days because I couldn’t afford the fees. But ever since I used the GiveDirectly money to pay for school fees, my child has never missed a single day of school. This has been a huge relief for me, knowing my children’s education is no longer disrupted."

"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."

"Last year, my life took an unexpected turn when my already weak and dilapidated house couldn't withstand heavy rains and storms. It collapsed, leaving my family and me without shelter, marking the beginning of a challenging period. I had worked hard to build that house, so watching it crumble was heartbreaking. Suddenly, finding myself facing homelessness was something I had never anticipated. Afterwards, finding a new place to call home seemed like an impossible task. With limited resources and the urgent need to provide for my family, I couldn't save enough to build a new house immediately. Fortunately, a relative offered me a job looking after their farm and built a small structure for me to live in. However, the turning point came when I received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. Determined to change my life, I felt empowered to start building a new, decent, iron-roofed house. I immediately set out to purchase 24 iron sheets, nails, and building poles and cover the labour costs, which amounted to $500. I'm now building the new house, and I can't wait to move into my own home where I can live peacefully. I spent the remaining $50 on buying foodstuffs, such as maize flour, which could last for weeks, ensuring that my household would not go hungry."

"I clearly remember the day I received my transfer from GiveDirectly. It was 3 p.m., and I was resting at home after a long, hot day on the farm when my phone suddenly rang. Curious, I checked it and was overjoyed to see that GiveDirectly had sent me money. I was filled with happiness, and the excitement of all the possibilities rushed through me. Right away, I started thinking about how to use the funds wisely, especially to help pay for my grandmother's hospital bill. Receiving that transfer was a life-changing moment for me. I'm so grateful for the support from the organization, which has made such a big difference in my life."