"When the money came, it was at night while I was sleeping. I checked my phone at 6am and saw the message. I became very happy and thought to myself that I would take some time to figure out the best way to use the money. The first thing that came to my mind was my child's school fees. I had some arrears, and I wanted to clear them so that my child could study peacefully without any disturbance. I felt relieved knowing that with this money, I could finally bring some peace to my home and focus on my child’s education without worrying about fees."

"Since we received the GiveDirectly transfer, our village has been positively impacted. You reached us directly, without any intermediaries like headmen or chiefs, which we really appreciated. It was clear that you are an independent organization, and we felt respected by how you handled everything. Also, the one-month gap between transfers gave us time to think carefully about what to do next and plan how to use the money wisely. I did not see anything bad in the way you operated; everything was well done. You are a perfect organization, and we just hope that you will come back and continue supporting us with more transfers."

"Receiving the cash transfer from GiveDirectly changed everything for my family and me. Expanding my shop with just $100 made a huge difference; before, I struggled to earn even $20 a day, but now I’m making $50 daily. The extra income has eased my worries, and I’m incredibly grateful for the chance to provide more for my family. I also spent $150 on three young cows and $120 on three sheep, knowing they would be valuable assets for the future. If emergencies come up, I can sell them for quick support. With five children in school, I used $80 to cover some of their fees, which used to be a struggle relying only on my shop’s income. Now, my business and livestock give me a stable foundation, and it feels wonderful to plan ahead with confidence.Life has truly turned around with GiveDirectly’s help. My husband, who is a boda boda rider, and I can now support each other more easily, and we’re both focused on building a brighter future for our kids. This support has given us the strength to look forward, knowing we can finally secure a stable and comfortable life for our family."

"GiveDirectly has truly kept its promises, always sending the money right on time, and I am so grateful for this free support. I appreciate how respectfully the staff treat us, making sure we feel valued and understood. The transfers have made a real difference in my life, allowing me to make improvements I hadn’t thought possible before. Honestly, I haven’t noticed anything negative about GiveDirectly—they’ve done everything they promised. I just hope they can continue reaching out to others in need, as they’ve done for us. This program has been a true blessing for my family and me."

"The biggest difference in my life after receiving the transfer is the relief from school fees stress. Before, I struggled to keep up with fees, and my child had to miss a week of school because I couldn’t pay. It broke my heart to see him falling behind in his studies while I had no way to help. Now, he is back in school, learning well, and I feel so happy knowing he can focus on his education without interruption. The transfer has taken away the worry of finding money for school fees, something that used to keep me awake at night. Now, I feel at peace, knowing I can keep my child in school, and I have more hope for his future."

"The biggest difference since I received the GiveDirectly transfers has been having a roof over my head. When my house collapsed, I was shocked and saddened, knowing that rebuilding would take a long time due to my son's limited earnings from casual labor. Staying in my relative's home was a blessing, but it came with challenges, especially a lack of privacy. Now, having my own house gives me a sense of confidence and privacy that I deeply missed. I also feel secure knowing my property is safe, even when I am away. I am incredibly grateful for this financial support, which has allowed me to achieve this goal much sooner than I ever thought possible."

"Just minutes after returning from a relative’s burial, my granddaughter came up to me, holding my phone. She leaned in, her voice soft but excited, and whispered that the money I had been waiting for had finally arrived. To reassure me, she showed me the message on the phone, reading it out loud so I could hear every word. In that moment, a wave of relief and gratitude washed over me. Tears of joy filled my eyes and streamed down my cheeks as I hugged my granddaughter tightly, overcome with emotion. I murmured a short prayer, thanking God for this miracle, feeling an immense sense of hope and gratitude."

"In the coming year and beyond, I want to accomplish the goal of starting a grocery store in my village. We currently have no nearby grocery, and I see this as a great opportunity for an income-generating activity that will benefit both my family and the community. Once I finish fixing the windows in my house, I plan to use the transfers I receive to fund this venture. I estimate that it will require about $40 in starting capital, and I am excited about the possibilities it will open up for us. This grocery store will provide a steady source of income and fill a crucial need in our area."

"In the coming year and beyond, I want to accomplish the renovation of my house by building pillars to make it more resilient against the fierce winds that we sometimes experience in our area. This is important for the safety and security of my family, as I want to ensure that we are protected from the unpredictable weather. To achieve this, I have been diligently saving $20 every month from my transfers, and I am determined to continue this effort until I can afford to complete the renovation. This improvement will give us peace of mind and a stronger, safer home."

"In the coming year and beyond, my biggest goal is to build a good, secure house because the one I currently have is in poor condition and on the verge of collapsing. It has been a constant worry, and I know my family deserves better. To make this dream a reality, I have committed to saving $10 monthly from my transfers. It may take time, but I am determined to steadily build towards a safer, more stable home for my family. This goal is more than just shelter; it’s about giving us the security and peace of mind we’ve long needed."