"GiveDirectly had the best approach to helping us improve our lives. The cash was unconditional, and no one was told what to do with it. Instead, we were given the freedom to choose what was best for our household. This stood out to me because we all have different needs, and it was empowering for them to let us make the decisions. Thanks to this, I now have a toilet, was able to put in a concrete floor in my house, and even have goats. I don’t think there’s anything this organization needs to change, and I hope they continue the great work."

"I am a widow with six children, and I rely on farming and doing casual jobs to support my family. When I received my most recent transfer, I decided to prioritize paying the school fees for my son, who is in secondary school. He is in form four, and his education is very important, so I used $300 to make sure his fees were fully covered. After that, I spent $150 on 10 iron sheets, as I plan to build a new house. Our current home was destroyed by floods, so rebuilding is a priority for us. This support has truly uplifted our lives. I am overjoyed to finally pay my son's fees without any struggle and start preparing for a new house. I am so grateful for this help, which has made such a difference for my family."

"Since I started receiving support from GiveDirectly, the biggest change in my life has been the relief from constantly taking on exhausting odd jobs to make ends meet. Before, I struggled to cover my bills and my children’s school fees, always worrying about how to make it work. Now, with the help from GiveDirectly, I don’t have to push myself so hard. The money has allowed me to focus on my family and other important things, knowing my bills are paid, and my children’s education is taken care of. I am truly grateful for this support, which has brought so much peace into my life."

"I used $100 to buy a metal door and installed it in my house, as I had been using a curtain as a door. I felt the security of my house was compromised, and my belongings were at risk of being stolen, as anyone could easily enter. Now, I feel much more secure because I have a proper door with a lock, allowing me to leave the house without worrying about someone stealing my things, unlike before when it was very risky. Later, I also bought two ducks for $12, which I am raising at home. They will help me in the long run because if I ever have a financial emergency, I can sell them to cover the necessary expenses. Before, I had no livestock, and it was difficult to manage during emergencies. With the $420, I bought food, as I used to eat only once a day. After receiving the cash support, we now eat three meals a day. My charcoal business has not been doing well lately, which has sometimes made it difficult for us to have enough food. This situation used to worry me, especially when I couldn't provide enough for my two children."

"My main priority going forward is to acquire dairy cows. These animals are very valuable assets as they offer multiple benefits at home, such as providing milk. I plan to acquire them by allowing my goats to grow into a large herd so that I can exchange some of them for a cow, as I currently don't have the funds to buy one. Once I succeed, I believe I will have enough milk for my family’s consumption, and I can sell the extra milk to my neighbors for an income, with a liter going for 50. Through this business, I will be able to pay my children's school fees more easily, unlike before when I struggled due to relying primarily on casual jobs."

"I was at home one afternoon, relaxing, when my phone beeped with a message. Since I can't read, I called my son to check it for me. When he read it, he said it was the GiveDirectly transfer, and I felt so happy! My son and I immediately started talking about what to do with the money and decided we would buy sheep. It was such a good moment, knowing this support had come through."

"I wasn’t with my phone that day since I had left it at home with someone, and my son had my SIM card. So, he came running to tell me that the money had arrived, and honestly, I couldn’t believe it at first—it felt unreal! This was the best news I could’ve hoped for because I had been anxiously waiting for it. The moment I heard, all I could think about was how this money would finally allow me to place a deposit on the piece of land I’d been eyeing for a while. "

"One afternoon, after I got home from the farm where I'd spent hours weeding vegetables, I took my phone out of my pocket and saw there was a message. Curiosity got the best of me, so I quickly opened it, and there it was — the GiveDirectly transfer! I felt an overwhelming surge of excitement and immediately rushed to tell my mother-in-law, who had also received the money. She was just as thrilled as I was. Later that evening, I called my husband to share the good news, and he was so happy that he promised to travel back soon. Together, we would buy iron sheets and start preparing to build our dream house."

"When I received the cash transfer, it felt like a lifeline, especially after the floods destroyed most of what we had. First, I bought a goat for $65. Milk has become too expensive to buy daily, so once the goat starts producing, I’ll be able to get milk from it and save money. I also bought a mattress and a bed for $66. The floods ruined my old one, and I had been sleeping on a mat, which was uncomfortable. Now, at least I can sleep better at night. I used $13 to buy new cooking pots since the water carried away most of my kitchen items. I also had been unwell, so I went to the hospital and used $15 for the necessary medication. With the money, I bought enough food items for the household and made sure to leave enough for my husband, who is elderly. He must have milk daily, so this will help while we still have to buy it."

"I am a crop farmer, and this year has not been lucky for me. I lost 1.5 acres of maize and an acre of melon, which was a great loss, but I didn’t give up. When the water receded, I replanted maize, and luckily, it did well. However, when it was ready for harvesting, I didn’t have the money, so my family and I were going to harvest it ourselves, which would have taken longer. With the rains, I was afraid I would lose it again. Thankfully, I received the GiveDirectly cash just in time, which helped me with the harvesting. I didn’t lose my maize for the second time. God bless you, GiveDirectly."