"I was at home preparing meals for my family around 6 pm when I decided to check my phone. To my surprise, I saw that money from GiveDirectly had been sent to me earlier. I was so happy! I immediately told my children that we had received money, and they were just as excited as I was. They had been sent home to fetch school fees, and this money couldn't have come at a better time."

"I spent my recent transfer thoughtfully, focusing on both our immediate needs and future security. I used $110 to buy two goats, but I had to relocate them to a safer place, fearing that future floods could wash them away. These goats are  valuable investment, as they will provide us with milk and can be sold if we face an emergency.I also spent $30 on clothes because we had very few, and we haven’t been able to save for such necessities. Additionally, I used $60 to buy food. Normally, we rely on burning charcoal and farming to stock up on food, but the floods and occasional droughts have made these sources unreliable. We can’t depend on them like we used to.Emotionally, I’m going through a very tough time. My wife recently gave birth, but we tragically lost our two children, and the grief has left me feeling deeply stressed and unhappy. Even with the financial support, it’s hard to find peace after everything we’ve been through."

"It was Sunday afternoon, and I had just come back from church, feeling very stressed. A few days earlier, on Friday, my children were sent home from school because I couldn’t pay their fees. I was worried and didn’t know where the money would come from. The thought of my children missing school made me feel even worse. As the day went on, I was deep in thought when suddenly, my sons ran into the house, shouting excitedly, "Mum! GiveDirectly has sent money!" At first, I didn’t believe it. I quickly picked up my phone to check, and to my surprise, the money was really there. I was so happy and relieved that I started praying, thanking God for such a wonderful blessing. The next day, I was able to send my children back to school, feeling grateful for the help that came at just the right time."

"It was a Sunday. Although I hadn’t gone to church, I was busy at home washing clothes when I heard a message notification. Initially, I ignored it, wanting to finish what I was doing. But after checking the message, I confirmed that I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. A wave of gratitude swept over me because we didn’t have any food in the house, and I wasn’t sure what we were going to do. The timing of the transfer was perfect, like a blessing arriving just when I needed it most."

"Without the GiveDirectly transfer, I wouldn’t have managed to transport and install the milling machine from Nakuru. Before, we struggled with buying already milled maize and dealing with costly transportation from town, which limited our profits. The milling machine had to stay in Nakuru for two weeks because we didn’t have the funds for transportation and installation. Now, with the machine fully operational, I see a significant difference in our situation. Previously, we made a profit of about $2 per 90 kg bag of maize. Since we started milling for ourselves, our profit has increased to $3 per bag. This change not only boosts our earnings but also reduces our expenses on buying and transporting milled maize. Every time I see the machine in operation, I feel grateful for the GiveDirectly support that made this possible. It has transformed our business and improved our financial stability."

"We initially struggled with capital and faced the risk of losing the money we had spent on renting land for maize. After the floods, our plan to plant maize was stalled, and we feared wasting our investment. However, with the transfer, I used the funds to cultivate the land by planting watermelon instead. This choice proved to be a turning point. The watermelon cultivation, which I managed with a $50 investment in seeds, is thriving. I expect to harvest in less than two months and potentially earn about $1,000 if all goes well.The transfer allowed us to turn a challenging situation into an opportunity for growth."

"I used my first transfer to buy livestock—specifically, two sheep, one for $30 and another for $16, and a cow for $140. I chose to invest in livestock because they are assets that I can sell in the future, providing financial support when needed. Two weeks ago, my nephew was joining college. I had supported him through high school, but I didn’t have the money to pay for his college fees. I had hoped to raise it, but unfortunately, I was unable to. So, I sold the cow for $200 to help cover the fees. My brother doesn’t have a job, and his son is passionate about animal health. He did well in high school despite many challenges, and now he’s pursuing a career in animal health. This motivates me because, through his education, he will become self-sufficient, and our family will benefit in the long run."

"I had planned to use the proceeds from selling my maize to buy a plot, but unfortunately, I lost all of it due to the floods. However, with the GiveDirectly transfer, I am now hopeful. I plan to use my next transfer to purchase a plot and finally move to a safer area. Right now, the water is dangerously close to my house, just a few meters away, and every time it rains, I worry I’ll be affected again. But with this opportunity, I can make a lasting change and protect my family from the constant threat of flooding."

"I currently work as a motorcycle driver and my main goal is to own my own motorcycle. Right now, I'm using a motorcycle owned by someone else and paying them $4 each time I use it. This leaves me with very little money for myself, let alone for my family. Due to the increasing living standards and a lack of customers, it's becoming a challenge because I have to pay the motorcycle owner daily, making it a very stressful job. However, thanks to GiveDirectly for coming to our rescue. Previously, my children would sleep without eating, but now, with financial support from GiveDirectly, that doesn't happen anymore. I'm hopeful that once I buy my own motorcycle, I'll be able to provide my family with the life they deserve. I plan to save from my income and transfers, and I'm confident that I will buy the motorcycle, ultimately transforming my life and that of my family."

"Upon receiving $180 from GiveDirectly, I knew it was time to stick to my plan. I had always dreamed of buying a proper mattress. I spent $56 to finally replace the old makeshift bedding I had been using. Now, sleeping on a comfortable mattress has transformed my life. I sometimes even oversleep, but it has greatly improved my overall well-being and relationships. I wake up in a good mood, feeling energized and ready to work, which makes me more productive throughout the day, even if I start a bit later. I allocated $35 to buy food, as my family was going through a severe food crisis. Now, we have enough to eat, and this has given us the strength and energy we needed. With the rest of the money, I allocated $60 to buy construction materials. I plan to start building a new house with the second transfer from GiveDirectly, as our current home is old and no longer meets our needs. The risk of flooding in this area is high, so having a safer, more durable home is essential for my family of two. Lastly, I used the remaining money to buy chairs for us to sit on, which has brought comfort to our home and made life easier when we have visitors. This support from GiveDirectly has truly transformed our lives."