"When I turned on my phone early in the morning, after it had been off and charging overnight, an Mpesa message popped up on the screen. Curious to see who might have sent me money so early, I opened the message—and to my surprise, it was my first transfer from GiveDirectly! I had been eagerly waiting for this support to renovate my house, and seeing the message filled me with joy. It truly brightened my day, and I immediately began planning to buy the building materials I needed to rebuild my home, which was nearly collapsing."

"As I considered my options for investing the funds from these transfers, I decided to focus on an income-generating venture. I ultimately chose goat rearing and am pleased to have acquired nine goats so far. I believe that investing in goats is a wise strategy due to their ability to multiply quickly. This allows me to either sell them or trade them for dairy cows, which is my long-term goal. Once my goat population grows sufficiently, I aim to exchange some of them for a dairy cow. Having a dairy cow would be advantageous as it would provide me with milk to sell, generating additional income to support my family. I am confident that expanding into dairy farming will greatly enhance my family’s well-being and help secure a better future for us."

"I am currently employed as a motorcycle driver while my wife runs a small fried chicken business. With five school-aged children, we have to work diligently to generate enough income to support them. The assistance we receive from GiveDirectly has significantly reduced our financial strain, allowing us to have extra income for our family. Looking ahead to the next year and beyond, I have two main priorities to address. First, I aim to build a proper coop for my poultry. I started this project to prepare for when the transfers end, ensuring that I will have a sustainable investment that provides income during financial difficulties. Chickens reproduce quickly and have a strong market demand, which is why I chose to invest my transfers in this venture. I plan to continue using part of my transfers to purchase more chickens and expand my poultry farming. I am pleased to say that I already have ten chickens, which is a solid starting point. Additionally, I want to prioritize my children's education by allocating another portion of my transfer to cover their school fees, ensuring they receive the best possible education. As the saying goes, education is the key to success, and I want to make certain that my children are well-educated so they can support themselves and their families in the future."

"I am incredibly grateful for the support I’ve received, which has truly been a lifeline for me. Three years ago, a growth began to develop in my throat. After several consultations and tests, I was advised to undergo surgery and treatment that would be costly. Although I managed to go through some initial procedures and imaging, financial limitations prevented me from moving forward with the surgery. For the past three years, I’ve relied on medication, hoping to raise the funds needed for the operation, but that day never came. Even the doctors who initially committed to perform the surgery postponed it indefinitely. Despite taking medication, the pain was often unbearable. Receiving this financial support has been an enormous relief. I was able to return for further assessments, and now, with the resources to afford the surgery, I’ve finally been given a date for the procedure. I am sincerely grateful to GiveDirectly and look forward to regaining my health after the surgery."

"I am incredibly grateful for the support I’ve received, which has truly been a lifeline for me. Three years ago, a growth began to develop in my throat. After several consultations and tests, I was advised to undergo surgery and treatment that would be costly. Although I managed to go through some initial procedures and imaging, financial limitations prevented me from moving forward with the surgery. For the past three years, I’ve relied on medication, hoping to raise the funds needed for the operation, but that day never came. Even the doctors who initially committed to perform the surgery postponed it indefinitely. Despite taking medication, the pain was often unbearable. Receiving this financial support has been an enormous relief. I was able to return for further assessments, and now, with the resources to afford the surgery, I’ve finally been given a date for the procedure. I am sincerely grateful to GiveDirectly and look forward to regaining my health after the surgery."

"I am a widow with three children, and I rely on my son who does casual jobs for provision. When I received my most recent transfers, I knew I had to make some important investments. First, I invested $150 on a cow. This cow will help us produce milk, which is a valuable source of food and income for our family. After that, I spent $129 to renovate the roof of my house because it was leaking during the rainy season. Fixing the roof was essential to keep us safe and dry. With $41, I bought a sack of maize to ensure we had enough food at home. I need to keep my family well-fed and healthy. I also used $30 to pay school fees for my grandchildren, as their education is a priority for me. After taking care of these urgent needs, I saved the remaining $200 to help build a house for my daughter, who separated from her husband. It breaks my heart to see her struggle, and I want to provide her with a safe place to call home. These transfers have allowed me to support my family and make a positive impact on their lives."

"The biggest difference in my life after receiving payments from GiveDirectly is that I now have invested in a cow. This investment will not only provide our family with fresh milk but also allow me to sell some of it, creating an additional source of income. Additionally, I now have access to daily food, which was not possible before. This change has significantly improved my family's well-being and security, enabling us to live healthier and more stable lives. I can now focus on our nutrition without worrying about where our next meal will come from, which brings us incredible relief and newfound joy."

"When I withdrew the money from my most recent transfer, I first spent $50 on tithe, a priority for me as I believe in giving back and expressing gratitude for the blessings I receive. After that, I invested $55 in purchasing two goats, adding to the three I already owned. This was an important step for my future, as I knew these goats would grow and provide a steady source of income and security for me and my family. Being a widow, I need to think long-term, and livestock is a reliable investment. I also used $30 for agricultural work to improve my small farm, knowing it would help us with food and income in the future. Since I rely on fetching and selling firewood, which has become difficult due to the scarcity of trees, I set aside $50 for food, ensuring my family would have enough to eat. Realizing the unpredictability of my firewood business, I used $40 to revive my petrol-selling business, which had collapsed earlier. This business serves motorbike riders in the village, and I felt reviving it was a wise decision to create a more stable income. Finally, I saved the remaining $325, intending to renovate my old house, which is almost collapsing. This has been a dream of mine, and with these savings, I am one step closer to making my home safer and more comfortable for my family."

"It was around 5 AM when I was awakened by the familiar sound of a message on my phone. Since I didn’t know how to read, I called out to my granddaughter, Neema, who was sleeping beside me. She checked the message and, with a bright smile, confirmed that I had received my first transfer. At that moment, my heart swelled with joy, and I felt a deep sense of relief wash over me. The first thought that crossed my mind was to revive my petrol business, which had collapsed. I had long dreamed of restarting it, and now, with this money, it felt possible again."

"The most significant change in my life after receiving payments from GiveDirectly has been the relief of finally being able to afford medical treatment. Before this, life was difficult, and I struggled to cover the costs of the care I needed for my health. Now, thanks to the transfers, I have been able to access treatment and focus more on my well-being. This change has brought a sense of security and peace to my family. We are healthier now, and I no longer worry as much about medical expenses. This is something I couldn’t accomplish before, and it has made all the difference for our future."