"I am a businesswoman with a small kiosk, and my husband manages our crop farming. When I received my first transfer from GiveDirectly, my kiosk was struggling due to low stock. I had started the business three years ago with a small inventory, but it had not grown quickly because we often relied on it for daily needs and dealt with unpaid debts. With the transfer, I used $100 to restock my shop with items like sugar, cereals, milk, and other essentials. Now, my customers can find almost everything they need, and my sales have increased from $50 to $80 a day, which has helped us cover other expenses like paying school fees for our son in boarding school. I also bought household items, including a table for $35, as the one we had was too small. Additionally, I bought clothes for my family of four worth $50, so we could all look presentable and celebrate the joy of the cash transfer. To keep our clothes organized, I purchased a suitcase for $15. Thank you, GiveDirectly!"

"Owning the goats feels like a blessing to me and my family, and it has made the biggest difference in my life. I am optimistic that these goats will allow me to generate money whenever I need it to meet pressing needs. First, the issue of raising school fees and providing food for the family is well sorted. Previously, I couldn't afford to own even one goat since they were a bit costly. Right now, all three of my children are still in primary school, and by the time they join high school or even college, the goats will have multiplied in number. Therefore, it will be easier for me to support them throughout their educational journey. This is a lifetime investment that I can't thank Give Directly enough for; without these goats, I don’t know how I would be able to send my children to secondary school or college."

"Life in a polygamous marriage has been very hard for me, considering that my spouse barely meets the family's needs since he depends on charcoal jobs for a living. Therefore, it was difficult for him to build us a decent house, which has always been a major challenge for me. Our previous house was too small to accommodate our family of eight people comfortably. Things became even more challenging when my older daughter, who is now married, came to visit us. It was hectic because we had to squeeze into the limited space, and I felt this lowered my dignity as a mother. My beliefs were also exposed due to the lack of space, leading to a sense of insecurity. Upon receiving the cash, I used $351 to buy iron sheets, pole threads, nails, and even labour charges for constructing a new house. This was to avoid the humiliations and embarrassments my family and I had been enduring. I believe this new house will bring more dignity and respect to us. I also bought a mattress for $50, as I had been using mats before and experienced significant pain at night. I dreaded the arrival of night because of the discomfort I endured. I am happy that this has come to an end, as I am now experiencing much more comfort. Additionally, I paid $60 in school fees for my three children in lower grades. This has allowed them to have a better experience in school, as they were often sent home previously, which affected their performance. I also bought two goats for $70, and I believe that I will be able to acquire more. They will serve as a form of security for me; if my child is sent home from school, I can sell one goat to address the issue immediately. With the remaining $18, I purchased food for my household, ensuring my family stays healthy and fit, as this has been a constant concern."

"While I was at my farm, away from home, my daughter called me around 3 PM while I was irrigating the crops. She excitedly told me, "Dad, the money from GiveDirectly has arrived!" I immediately instructed her to keep it safe until I returned in the evening so I could check it myself. Since she had my phone, I couldn’t see the amount right away. As I continued working, my mind was filled with thoughts about my daughter's school fees. I had been struggling to pay them, and she had been in and out of school because the arrears were too much for her teachers to tolerate. The news of the money gave me a glimmer of hope as I imagined how I could finally settle her fees."

"Before I received the transfer, I was filled with stress and anxiety about how to pay my son's university rent. I constantly worried about where to find the money, and I was reluctant to sell my goat, knowing it could be an important investment for the future. I felt overwhelmed and unsure about how to manage all my expenses. However, once the cash transfer came through, everything changed. I could pay the rent without needing to sell my goat, which lifted a significant weight off my shoulders. Now, I can concentrate on supporting my family and running my farm instead of being consumed by financial worries. This transfer has truly transformed my life for the better."

"When I received the cash transfer, it felt like a ray of hope during a difficult time. I used $160 to pay for the university fees of my two daughters, which had been stressing me out. Their fees were huge, and to cover them, I had to sell three cows and some goats, in addition to the money from GiveDirectly. The floods had already swept away my two acres of maize, adding to my struggles. However, thanks to GiveDirectly, I was able to meet my daughters' educational needs, and for that, I am truly grateful.Furthermore, I used $40 to buy food for my family. Although my grocery business could provide some food, this extra amount helped ensure we wouldn't go hungry. My husband is a polygamous man, and sometimes it is hard for him to support me fully, but he managed to contribute a little toward the fees. With five people in my family to care for, the financial burden can be heavy, but the cash transfer made a big difference.Now, I feel a sense of relief knowing my daughters can continue their education without interruption. The support from GiveDirectly has given me hope and made life a bit easier during these challenging times. I am thankful for this assistance, as it has helped me prioritize my family's needs while managing our everyday expenses."

"The day I got the cash transfer, I knew exactly how I would spend it. I immediately bought a cow for $140, which I consider an important asset. A cow is more than just livestock; it’s an investment. In case of an emergency, I can sell it to cover urgent expenses. Having this cow makes me feel secure, knowing that I have something valuable to rely on in the future. This is my way of planning ahead, especially since life can be unpredictable.With $20, I bought some food to stock up, just a little bit since I only have one child, and the food will last us for a while. I used $10 to buy a plastic table, which may sound small, but it has been really useful. I already had one table, but I wanted a portable one that I could carry outside to enjoy my morning tea in the fresh air. It’s these small comforts that make life feel a bit more enjoyable, and now, I have that.The remaining $30 went to paying for my wife's college fees. She’s studying, and it’s been a challenge to manage her school fees. In the past, we’ve had to rely on fundraising or my income from farming, but this transfer made it much easier. I feel proud that I could support her education without much struggle this time. My boda boda business brings in about $10 a day, which helps with the rest of our daily needs, but this transfer has really helped us manage things better."

"Life has been a constant struggle for me and my family, especially with five children to care for. My wife and I often rely on casual jobs just to cover the basics—mostly for school fees and food. The hardest part has been my daughter's illness. She suffers from liver cirrhosis, and her medication costs more than we can ever manage to save. Every month is a battle, and without a steady source of income, we’ve been living day by day, unsure how long we could keep going. When the cash transfer arrived, it felt like a heavy weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I immediately used $120 to pay my children's school fees, which brought immense relief as they were close to being sent home. The pressure of balancing their education with our other needs had been overwhelming, but with that money, I knew they could stay in school for a little while longer. Additionally, I spent $60 on food, ensuring my family wouldn’t have to worry about meals for some time.Although my daughter’s illness remains a major challenge, and we still need a lot of money for her treatment, I’m grateful for the chance to breathe a little easier. Knowing that my children’s education and basic needs are secure, this has given me some peace of mind."

"It was around 3pm, and I had just returned home from doing some casual work when my phone rang. I checked it, and to my surprise, it was an M-Pesa notification from GiveDirectly. At that moment, I felt a rush of relief and joy because my wife was in the hospital, admitted with a large medical bill that had been weighing heavily on my mind. I had no idea how I was going to manage such an amount, and it felt like a burden I couldn’t escape. But I thank God, because the money came right when I needed it most. Without wasting any time, I rushed to the hospital to settle the bill, feeling grateful and at peace."

"The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am now sleeping in a decent two-room house. To me, this is the greatest fulfilment that will forever remain in my heart. The shelter has been my biggest challenge since our old house was in a pathetic state and too small to accommodate my family of three. The harsh weather and cold nights were unbearable, as there were holes all over the walls. I had no hope of upgrading to a better house since I depend on my palm wine job, which does not pay well at all. My income only covered our daily food, which was sometimes insufficient. I am at peace and grateful to GiveDirectly for enabling me to build a new, decent house to live in with my family. I am no longer worried about rain or other insecurities. I also no longer have to be concerned about hosting visitors; I can now welcome them comfortably."