"Life became hard for my family after the flood. It took away my three chickens and ruined my bed, leaving me feeling very upset. But I found hope in my three sheep, knowing that once they give birth, I’ll have milk and won’t need to buy it, which will save us money. I believe that as my sheep multiply, I will improve my situation and won’t return to this low point. The GiveDirectly money has helped so much, and I am very grateful for the difference it has made in my life."

"On Sunday, around 3 p.m., I was at church when I received a message on my phone confirming that I had received cash from GiveDirectly. I immediately went outside because I couldn't contain my happiness and just needed to breathe in the fresh air. I was super excited and thought to myself, 'Tomorrow, I must go to town to buy iron sheets so I can start constructing a better, small temporary house.' This was especially important because I had been living in tents ever since my house was destroyed by floods."

"When I received the cash transfer, I knew I had to make decisions that would benefit my family both now and in the future. I started by buying two sheep for $111, which I see as an investment. We already had three sheep, and by adding to the flock, I believe it will help us secure a better future. I then spent $16 on half a bag of maize. Maize is our staple food, and I realized we didn't have any stock at home. It was important to me to make sure we had enough to eat, especially with the unpredictable times we've been facing. Knowing that we have maize stored gives me peace of mind, and I can now focus on other things without worrying about our next meal. With the remaining money, I bought a portable jiko and clothes for myself and my two children. The jiko is perfect for cooking at night and helps warm our house, which can get very cold. As for the clothes, I wanted to make sure we had enough, especially for the children, and to make us feel good about ourselves. Being able to provide these necessities has brought us comfort and a sense of dignity, and I am grateful for the opportunity to improve our lives in this way."

"As a young family, we decided to invest in crop farming to sustain our family of three. This year, with the rains beginning, we saw it as our chance to invest using savings from casual jobs and occasional charcoal production. We leased an additional half-acre of land and planted maize. Everything was going well, and we were motivated, until heavy rains caused flash floods that swept away all our maize. We had planned to use the proceeds to buy goats, which we had always wanted because they multiply quickly and their milk is highly nutritious. Owning goats would save us the cost of buying milk and allow us to sell them as their numbers increased, helping us with other needs. When we received our first transfer, we decided to fulfill this long-term wish by buying three goats for $50, $50, and $45, respectively. Additionally, during the floods, we were temporarily relocated to camps, and our clothes, which we had placed on the bed to keep them off the water, were completely soaked. Surviving with only one pair of clothes was challenging. We spent $45 on new clothes and used the remaining amount to buy food."

"I was just at home preparing to milk my cows when I heard a message sound on my phone. Curious, I checked it, and I couldn't believe my eyes—I had received $200 from GiveDirectly! My three children were with me, and they immediately noticed the excitement on my face. I shared the news with them, and they were equally excited. They had been sent home for unpaid fees, and I didn’t have the money. Now, they were cheered by the news, knowing they finally had something to return to school with."

"Before receiving the transfer, life was incredibly challenging. I didn’t have money, and I had lost my maize and vegetables to floods, which I was relying on for income. With my children’s school fees due, and since they had been sent home two days before the transfer, we were planning to go to the school and speak to the head teacher, unsure of how we’d manage to pay afterward. The total fee was $110, and it felt overwhelming. However, thanks to the GiveDirectly transfer, I was able to reduce that amount significantly, and now I’m only left with $30 to pay for this term. This has brought me relief and peace of mind."

"With my first transfer, I decided to buy two sheep, each costing $60. Compared to goats, sheep are easier to manage because they are calm and require less care, especially since many people in the area have invested in crop farming, which limits grazing fields. This purchase also serves as a future investment for me. Additionally, I bought a bed and mattress for my two children, totaling $56. We had been sharing a bed, but with the arrival of my newborn, there wasn't enough space for all of us. Consequently, the children had to sleep on the floor, which was unsafe given the cold season. As a new mom, food was essential, so I used the remaining funds to buy a variety of food. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for their timely support."

"I went to visit my son, who recently started high school. As we were catching up, I heard a message notification on my phone. Being a businesswoman, I immediately checked, thinking it might be important. To my surprise, I saw that I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. Overjoyed, I couldn't contain my excitement. My son noticed and asked why I was so happy, so I showed him the message. Having never received any support before, I wasn't sure if this would actually happen. But when I saw the confirmation, I felt incredibly grateful and thanked God."

"When I received the unconditional cash transfer, I knew exactly how I wanted to spend it. The first thing I did was buy two sheep for $120, something I had longed to do for a while. I already had three sheep, but adding more to the flock would be beneficial for us in the long run. Seeing the flock grow was a great feeling, knowing that this investment would help secure our future. Next, I used $35 to buy a new mattress for our bed. The mattress we had was old and worn out, and my pregnant wife often woke up with back pain. It was hard seeing her in discomfort every morning, especially with the baby on the way. The new mattress made a significant difference in our lives; we started getting better rest at night, which was especially important when our son was born. Now that he’s three weeks old, we all sleep much better, and I can see how it has improved our overall well-being. With the remaining money, I decided to spend $20 on clothes for myself and our soon-to-be baby. It was comforting to know that we were prepared for his arrival with everything he needed. The last $25 went toward buying food for the household. Ensuring that we had enough to eat was crucial so that I could focus on other important matters without worrying about our daily sustenance. The cash transfer allowed me to make thoughtful decisions that improved our quality of life in multiple ways."

"My goal in the coming year and beyond is to see a specialist who can provide the treatment I need to improve my health. Currently, I am unable to do anything for myself and fully depend on my family members for support. With the money I receive from the transfers next month, I plan to seek better medical care. Additionally, I want to purchase more goats with the transfers so that even after the financial aid ends, I will have a sustainable source of income. I am truly appreciative of the financial support, which is helping uplift my life and that of my family."