"Around 4 pm, my phone ran out of charge, so I plugged it in to recharge, unaware that this was the day GiveDirectly had promised to send the transfer. Later in the evening, I overheard my neighbors talking about receiving their transfers from GiveDirectly, which prompted me to quickly unplug my phone and check. As soon as I turned it on, an Mpesa message appeared on the screen. When I read it, I was overjoyed to discover that I had received my transfer as well. I couldn’t help but feel grateful and immediately began planning to purchase building materials to renovate my house."

"Around 4 pm, my phone ran out of charge, so I plugged it in to recharge, unaware that this was the day GiveDirectly had promised to send the transfer. Later in the evening, I overheard my neighbors talking about receiving their transfers from GiveDirectly, which prompted me to quickly unplug my phone and check. As soon as I turned it on, an Mpesa message appeared on the screen. When I read it, I was overjoyed to discover that I had received my transfer as well. I couldn’t help but feel grateful and immediately began planning to purchase building materials to renovate my house."

"A few years ago, I was doing tailoring at home, which was my only source of income to support my family of three. However, when my sewing machine broke down, I could no longer continue, as I didn’t have the money needed for repairs. To make ends meet, I started selling snacks at a nearby school. While this worked well during the school term, my earnings dropped significantly when the students were on break. Receiving my first transfer was a huge relief because I was able to repair my sewing machine and purchase a stock of textile materials. Furthermore, I am also in the process of building a small workspace to properly run my tailoring business. Additionally, I replaced my old bedding with a new bed and mattress, making my nights much more comfortable. Unlike before, when I struggled with sleepless and uncomfortable nights, I now enjoy restful and peaceful sleep."

"A few years ago, I was doing tailoring at home, which was my only source of income to support my family of three. However, when my sewing machine broke down, I could no longer continue, as I didn’t have the money needed for repairs. To make ends meet, I started selling snacks at a nearby school. While this worked well during the school term, my earnings dropped significantly when the students were on break. Receiving my first transfer was a huge relief because I was able to repair my sewing machine and purchase a stock of textile materials. Furthermore, I am also in the process of building a small workspace to properly run my tailoring business. Additionally, I replaced my old bedding with a new bed and mattress, making my nights much more comfortable. Unlike before, when I struggled with sleepless and uncomfortable nights, I now enjoy restful and peaceful sleep."

"In the evenings, I usually spend time at my wife's grocery shop after returning from the grazing fields, allowing her to focus on the evening chores. One such evening, while serving customers at the shop, I received a message on my phone. When I checked it, I couldn’t contain the sudden rush of joy—I had just received the first transfer from GiveDirectly! I was overwhelmed with happiness, knowing that what once seemed impossible due to financial constraints, such as improving our grocery shop and building a new permanent home, was now within reach."

"Having a secure and comfortable home for my family has been a long-standing goal, but financial constraints have prevented me from turning this dream into reality. The condition of my current shelter has deteriorated over the years. Built with mud, the walls have gradually weakened, bearing the brunt of storms and heavy rains. Its current state is deplorable, with one side on the verge of collapsing. As a result, building a new and more permanent brick house became my only viable option since renovating the existing structure is no longer feasible. I am glad that, the recent transfer gave me a financial breakthrough towards achieving this goal. I was able to order two truckloads of bricks to kickstart the construction of a new three-room permanent house. I am now in the process of gathering additional building materials and preparing to begin the project soon. Having a safe and reliable home is an urgent priority for me, as it will alleviate the challenges I am currently facing with my deteriorating house."

"My primary goal for the coming year and beyond is to significantly improve my health. To achieve this, I plan to use a portion of my transfers to seek better medical care from qualified health practitioners. Accessing quality healthcare will ensure that my health continues to improve and I can recover fully. In addition, I intend to use my transfers to maintain a steady supply of food. Consistent and nutritious meals are essential for my recovery, as they will help me maintain my strength and overall wellbeing. I am deeply appreciative of the financial support, which is enabling me to prioritize my health and access the resources I need for a better recovery. This support has given me hope and the means to work towards a healthier and more stable future."

"The main challenge I face is the lack of a stable source of income, as I rely solely on groundnut sales to support my family. Unfortunately, the earnings generated from these sales are insufficient to meet my basic needs, particularly given the escalating cost of living."

"The biggest difference in my life since receiving the transfers is the newfound sense of peace and contentment. I am overjoyed knowing that, after a long time, I am finally on the path to achieving my dream of building a permanent house. This house will provide a safe and comfortable space for me and will allow me to host all my grandchildren when they visit during the holidays—a vision I have held dear for years but was unable to realize due to financial constraints. Thanks to the transfers, I now feel optimistic and hopeful about the future. I am confident that, with this support, I will be able to reach my goal and improve the quality of life for myself and my family. This newfound peace has brought immense happiness and gratitude to my life."

"I am very old, and with my deteriorating hearing and poor eyesight, I am unable to work or provide for myself. I rely heavily on my sons for financial support, but since they are casual laborers with families of their own to support, their help is limited, often covering only food and occasional medical expenses. Being enrolled in the cash program was a turning point in my life. I saw it as an opportunity to fulfill some of the long-term goals I had almost given up on due to financial challenges. Upon receiving the transfers, I spent $400 to purchase two lorries of building stones. On a piece of land I inherited from my late husband, I plan to build a two-room permanent house. This house will provide a durable and safe shelter for me and my grandchildren, who often visit me during holidays. My current mud house, though spacious, is prone to frequent damage and requires constant repairs, which I can no longer manage. I also paid $100 in school fees for my granddaughter, who is in primary school. This payment ensured that she could continue her education without interruptions or worries. The remaining $50 went towards purchasing food for myself and my two grandchildren, who live with me. Thanks to this, we had enough to eat and never went hungry. I am deeply grateful for the financial support. It has given me hope and a renewed sense of purpose, knowing I am now closer to achieving my dream of building a permanent house and ensuring my family’s well-being."