"As usual, I woke up early to get my children ready for school. Since there’s not enough lighting in my home, I often use my phone to see in the dark. Just as I was about to begin my morning chores, I noticed a new message on my screen. It was an Mpesa notification, and as I read through it, I was overjoyed to see it was my first transfer from GiveDirectly. At daybreak, I couldn’t wait to express my gratitude for this support, which would now allow me to meet my financial needs with much greater ease."

"It was early in the morning when I heard the familiar sound of a message from my phone, pulling me from my dreams. Since I did not know how to read, I asked my grandchild to check the message. As she looked at the screen and turned to me with a smile, I felt a wave of happiness wash over me, and I smiled back. She told me I had received my first transfer, and my joy felt like a warm light inside me. In that exciting moment, the first thought that crossed my mind was to invest in a cow. I could already picture how having a cow would help provide for my family, offering both food and a way to earn some money."

"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."

"The biggest difference in my life after receiving the transfer from GiveDirectly is the transformation of my financial stability. Before, I struggled to make ends meet through firewood selling, but now, I have managed to revive my petrol business, selling small quantities to motorbike riders in the village. This new stream of income has not only brought relief but has also allowed me to provide more consistently for my family. We are in a much better place now, and I can contribute more meaningfully to our household. Running this business was something I couldn’t do before due to a lack of capital, but now I have the means to sustain it."

"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 a calm afternoon when my phone suddenly buzzed with a message. Since I couldn't read, I handed the phone to a family member to read for me. As they opened the message and began reading, a smile spread across their face. "You've received your first transfer!" they exclaimed. In that moment, joy filled my heart, and I felt an overwhelming sense of relief. I had been waiting for this day for so long, and now it had finally come. But the first thought that came to my mind was my health. I wasn't feeling well, and I knew that with this money, I could finally seek the treatment I needed. The weight of worry that had been on my shoulders suddenly felt lighter."

"It was a calm afternoon when my phone suddenly buzzed with a message. Since I couldn't read, I handed the phone to a family member to read for me. As they opened the message and began reading, a smile spread across their face. "You've received your first transfer!" they exclaimed. In that moment, joy filled my heart, and I felt an overwhelming sense of relief. I had been waiting for this day for so long, and now it had finally come. But the first thought that came to my mind was my health. I wasn't feeling well, and I knew that with this money, I could finally seek the treatment I needed. The weight of worry that had been on my shoulders suddenly felt lighter."

"The biggest difference in my life after receiving the transfer from GiveDirectly is the sense of security and progress I now have. Previously, it was challenging to plan for the future, but with the transfers, I have invested in goats, which will multiply and help secure a better future for my family. Soon, I will also have a swamp for irrigation, which will enhance my farming through improved water management. My family is much better off now. I can now invest in things that will benefit us in the long term, such as livestock and farming; opportunities I couldn’t pursue before. These changes have given us hope and the ability to plan for a brighter future."

"The biggest difference in my life after receiving the transfer from GiveDirectly is the sense of security and progress I now have. Previously, it was challenging to plan for the future, but with the transfers, I have invested in goats, which will multiply and help secure a better future for my family. Soon, I will also have a swamp for irrigation, which will enhance my farming through improved water management. My family is much better off now. I can now invest in things that will benefit us in the long term, such as livestock and farming; opportunities I couldn’t pursue before. These changes have given us hope and the ability to plan for a brighter future."

"I am currently in my third year of secondary school, and I am looking forward to completing my education soon. Right now, my focus is on my studies as I have some outstanding fees to settle. I plan to use my transfers to clear these balances. Additionally, in the upcoming years, I aim to build my own house. I intend to start using a portion of my monthly transfer to cover the building expenses. This way, I can gradually purchase the necessary materials until I have everything I need for construction. I am glad I have managed to start buying a few iron sheet for preparation.Owning a house provides a level of comfort that you don't get when you're relying on others for shelter. Therefore, I am optimistic that I can achieve my dream of having my own house."