"When I received $180 from GiveDirectly, I had several pressing issues, and the most urgent one was my son's education. He had been accepted to join university, but I didn’t have the money to send him. I used $100 to cover his travel and other expenses, allowing him to finally join. He is now in school, and I am preparing to support him consistently because he values his education and doesn’t want to be left behind while others study. I also used $30 to buy food for my family. After the floods that destroyed my farm, it became essential to ensure we had enough to eat. The support from GiveDirectly allowed me to provide for them during this difficult time. Additionally, I was sleeping on an old bed with a torn mattress, which made resting uncomfortable. With the remaining money, I bought a new mattress, and now I can sleep with dignity and comfort. Thanks to GiveDirectly, my family and I are living with more security and peace."

"Upon receiving the $180 from GiveDirectly, I was full of excitement and immediately began allocating the money to address the most pressing needs in my family. At the time, my youngest child had been sent home from school due to unpaid fees. It pained me to see her at home while her classmates continued their studies. I knew how much she valued education, and seeing her fall behind was deeply troubling. That’s why I used $100 to pay her school fees. The very next day, she returned to school, and the smile on her face as she walked out the door filled my heart with joy. Knowing she was back on track with her peers made me proud. Her happiness meant everything to me because I wanted her to succeed and stay on par with the other children. The money also came at a time when my family was struggling to put food on the table. With three children to feed, I decided to use $30 to buy enough food that would last us for at least a month. This brought great relief, as I no longer had to worry about where our next meal would come from. I also used $20 to buy clothes for myself and my children. It was important to me that we all felt the impact of GiveDirectly’s support, not just through food and education but in small comforts like having decent clothes to wear. With the remaining money, I bought a charcoal stove, something I had needed for a long time. Cooking had become a challenge, especially during the rainy season. During the last flood, everything in my homestead was swept away, and I wanted to be better prepared. The stove would make cooking easier, even during tough weather conditions."

"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."

"My house had been badly damaged when the floods came, with the mud walls collapsing and leaving us exposed. I used $132 to buy 12 iron sheets as the first step toward building a more durable home. While I still need about 32 sheets to complete the house, these 12 sheets are a good start toward making sure my family has a safe place to live. My goal is to replace the mud walls with iron sheets so we won’t have to worry about the next rainy season. With $35, I bought maize to ensure my family wouldn't go hungry. At the time, we had nothing to eat, and my children needed food. This purchase was crucial for us to be food secure, especially since we rely on casual jobs, which are not always available. The remainder of the money, I spent on transport to town to withdraw the cash and on a simple lunch while I was there. The trip was necessary to access the funds, and I was careful to stretch every dollar as much as possible. The cash transfer has been a lifeline for us, helping to address our most immediate needs in the face of uncertainty."

"I remember that Sunday evening when I went to bed, leaving my phone to charge because it had completely run out of battery. I had no idea what was waiting for me the next morning. As soon as I woke up and switched on my phone, a message came through almost immediately. When I checked it, I saw it was the GiveDirectly transfer. I was overwhelmed with joy—honestly, it felt like a miracle. For days, I had been stressing about how I was going to come up with the money to pay my son's school fees. And just like that, the GiveDirectly funds had arrived at exactly the right moment."

"I take on various part-time jobs, such as washing and serving in hotels, to make ends meet. In addition to this, I run a grocery business to support my family. In the coming year and beyond, my goal is to have a spacious separate house where I can have some peace. Currently, we are living in the same house as the goats, in separate rooms. This situation isn't healthy at all. I also have skills in tailoring and would like to start my own tailoring business. However, my major challenge is that I have not been able to afford a tailoring machine, and I am also looking for a suitable business premise. Therefore, I have started saving a portion of my GiveDirectly transfers in our merry-go-round group. This savings will help me acquire the sewing machine and set up the business premise. I am truly grateful for the financial support, as it has helped me to progress to a higher level."

"I am grateful to GiveDirectly for enabling me to acquire seven goats through their transfers. This is an investment that I had longed to establish, and I am pleased with the progress I have made. I still plan to continue investing in this project as it will act as my future financial security. I am aware that these transfers will soon come to an end, and this project will serve as a lasting reminder of the support I received. Looking forward, I have two priority items. Firstly, I am determined to ensure that I can afford to send my child to college. To achieve this, I am saving in our merry-go-round to generate enough income to support my child's education. Education is the key to success, and I want to ensure that my children receive the best education possible. Secondly, I intend to continue investing in goat rearing. As the goats multiply, I will be able to sell them and support my children's needs."

"As a mother of two children, I am fully dedicated to ensuring they receive a good education despite the financial challenges we face. Our eldest son has recently completed his Form Four, and we are extremely grateful for the opportunities he has had. Currently, our focus is on supporting our other son, Karisa, to enroll and complete his education as well. Financial stability is an ongoing concern for us, particularly because my husband's income from cutting and selling brushing sticks is not consistent, and I am currently unemployed. I am managing our home and saving diligently from transfers to make ends meet. Our approach involves prioritizing one child's education at a time. At present, our main goal is to support our eldest son through his mechanical engineering studies. We firmly believe that once he completes his education, he will be able to secure a good job that will enable him to support our family and help our son attend college."

"I was on my way home from church when I heard my phone beep with a message. Since I can’t read, I ignored it and continued home. Once I got there, I asked my children to check the message for me. They gave me the best news ever; I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I kept saying "thank you" repeatedly, overwhelmed with disbelief and joy. I had plans I had never actualized, and at that moment I knew I would fulfill them. Thanks, GiveDirectly!"