"The biggest difference that this money brought into our lives is that my son is finally settled in school. Before we received this help, it was heartbreaking to see him stressed out, always wondering if he'd be able to stay in school the next day or if he'd be sent back home again. This uncertainty weighed heavily on him, especially since he's a candidate preparing for his final exams. Thanks to the support from GiveDirectly, all that has changed. The school fees are now paid, and he no longer has to worry about being sent home. With that stress lifted, he can finally focus on his studies and prepare for his exams with a clear mind."

"The biggest difference in my life since receiving $200 from GiveDirectly has been the acquisition of household assets and gaining exposure to handling a significant amount of money. For the first time, I was able to buy essential items like a cupboard and utensils, preparing my home for when I married. I also improved my living conditions by repairing a leaking roof and invested in a smartphone to stay updated with news. This experience has not only helped me build a more stable home but also given me confidence in managing and using a substantial amount of money wisely."

"The biggest difference in my life since receiving $180 from GiveDirectly is the profound improvement in my overall well-being. At 82 years old, I was struggling with illness and lacked basic comforts. The money allowed me to get necessary medical care, buy a new bed and mattress for the first time, and secure enough food for the next two months. Most importantly, it enabled me to move in with my elder son, where I can receive the close care I need. This support from GiveDirectly has significantly transformed my quality of life, bringing me comfort, health, and peace of mind."

"The biggest difference in my life since I started receiving money from GiveDirectly is that I no longer sleep on the floor. After the floods damaged my bed and mattress, I had no choice but to sleep on the floor. It was cold and uncomfortable, and I would wake up feeling tired and sick from the chill. Now, with the new bed and mattress, I was able to buy, I sleep comfortably and look forward to bedtime. It has become an enjoyable and restful experience, and it has made a significant improvement in my overall well-being."

"The biggest difference in my life has been seeing my child join university. He is the first in our household to reach this milestone, and there are very few children in my village who have made it this far. Thanks to GiveDirectly, my child, who had been called to join university, didn’t have to miss out on this opportunity. GiveDirectly has also made sure that my family has enough food, even after the floods that ruined our farm. Before, there were days when we had to skip meals because we didn’t have enough to eat, but now we have food every day. This support has brought great relief and made a huge difference in our lives."

"I was home that evening, busy with household chores, when my neighbor came to see me. She told me that GiveDirectly had sent money and that I should check my phone to confirm if I had received it. Since I don’t know how to read messages because of my age, my neighbor kindly offered to help me. She took my phone, opened the message, and confirmed that indeed, GiveDirectly had sent me $180. I was filled with excitement. My first thought was to send my child back to school, as she had been home for two days because I couldn’t afford the school fees. Now, I could pay, and my child would continue their education. It was such a relief!"

"For about nine months, my son had been seriously ill with chronic typhoid, undergoing multiple surgeries. The medical bills piled up so high that we had to sell nearly everything at home just to cover the costs. We sold our chickens, livestock, and even organized numerous fundraisers to raise money. Life became incredibly stressful. My husband works as a watchman guarding an office in Nairobi, but his salary is so small that it could barely make a dent in the medical bills. To make matters worse, our area flooded, and my house was destroyed, forcing me to relocate to a new place. Adjusting to life in this new location has been very challenging.When I received the cash transfer, I finally felt a sense of relief and calm. I immediately sent $50 to my husband, who has been taking care of our sick son. With part of the remaining money, I used $50 to pay school fees for my five children. Sometimes we get bursaries to help with the fees, but I also rely on farming to sell crops and cover their education. However, farming has been difficult recently due to the floods, so this money came at the right time.Additionally, my house had no chairs, so I saw it as a good idea to use $70 to buy a sofa set. This way, I can focus on other pressing needs when I receive the next transfer. Finally, I spent the last $30 on food. Getting food for my family has always been a struggle because I rely on casual jobs and burning charcoal, which is unpredictable."

"The biggest difference in my life since receiving the cash from GiveDirectly is that I've been able to plant tomatoes for the first time. Before, I had a piece of land—about 3/4 of an acre—that I had ploughed, but I didn't have the money to buy seeds. It was frustrating to see the land just sitting there, ready but unused. Thanks to the support from GiveDirectly, I finally got the money I needed to purchase the seeds and start my tomato farm. Now, I can proudly say that I’m a tomato farmer. This has been a dream of mine for a long time, and it feels incredible to see it come to life. The tomatoes are growing well, and I’m hopeful that this harvest will bring in a good income, which will help me improve my family's life. I’m deeply grateful for this opportunity, as it has opened up a new chapter in my life that I never thought I would be able to achieve on my own."

"When we moved here in 2021, we had big dreams of building a better house, but with our limited resources, it felt like it would take us a lifetime to accomplish. We were determined, but the progress was slow but then,  GiveDirectly stepped in, and everything changed.The biggest difference I've seen is the tangible progress we've made. Before, the idea of buying iron sheets for the roof was just that—an idea, something we hoped for but couldn't quite reach. But now, with the funds from GiveDirectly, we’ve been able to purchase them, and seeing those sheets stacked and ready to go feels like seeing light at the end of the tunnel. It’s a sign that our dream of a better home is finally coming true, and that gives us so much hope and motivation to keep going."

"When I received my cash transfer, the first thing I did was use $50 to pay off my son’s school fees at Sabor Secondary School. He is in Form Four, and he was about to be sent home to fetch the money, but I didn’t have anything to give him. I didn’t want him to miss school or have to worry about fees instead of focusing on his studies, so clearing that debt was my top priority. Next, I spent $50 to repair the television in my small restaurant. The television plays a big role in attracting customers, as many people come to watch the news while enjoying tea or snacks. I knew fixing it would help me bring in more business and keep regular customers returning. With the remaining $40, I bought food items to ensure my family had enough to eat. After that, I used what was left to restock my restaurant with supplies. Balancing the needs of my business and feeding my children has been hard, so this money helped lighten the load and allowed me to invest a little back into my business.It’s been a relief to get through these challenges with that extra support."