"The biggest difference since I started receiving cash transfers from GiveDirectly has been in my bedding, health, and food. Before I received these transfers, I used to sleep on the floor, which was very uncomfortable. Now, I sleep on a comfortable bed with a mattress, and this has greatly improved my well-being. Despite my age, I feel young again. Additionally, before the GiveDirectly cash transfers, I relied heavily on my son to take care of my bills. Now, with the money I received, I have been able to buy food, which has enabled me to be self-dependent. Lastly, after being bitten by a snake, I used some of the money to seek the necessary medical attention. This would have been difficult without the transfer. Overall, these changes have had a positive impact on my life, and I am truly grateful for the support from GiveDirectly."

"Recently, I received $200 from GiveDirectly, and this support came at the perfect time, as the floods that swept through my village had left me feeling hopeless. I have two children in secondary school, and I was worried about how to pay their school fees. They were on the verge of staying home and possibly dropping out of school. But when I received the money from GiveDirectly, I used $120 to pay for their fees. Now, they haven’t missed a day of school, and this fills my heart with joy and gratitude. I also used $37 to buy food since I no longer had a farm to rely on after the floods destroyed everything. At least now we have enough food to eat, which is a great relief. The recent floods also swept away my bedding, so I used $32 to buy a bed, which has greatly improved my sleep and comfort. With this, I can now rest well after a long day. Lastly, I spent the remaining money on clothes for going to events. I didn’t have any nice clothes before, but now I can go out confidently, feeling good about how I look. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for this life-changing support."

"The biggest difference in my life since I started receiving cash from GiveDirectly is that I now have two more sheep. Before, I had eight, and I’ve always wanted to increase their number because they will generate income and help me during emergencies if needed. In addition to that, I was able to buy enough food, which helped my family get through a tough period with plenty to eat. I also managed to clear the small debt I had, and now I live peacefully without the stress of owing anyone. This support has made a huge impact on my life, bringing me closer to my goals and giving me peace of mind."

"Before I started receiving cash transfers from GiveDirectly, my family struggled a lot, especially after floods destroyed our home. We had been living in a small, old manyatta, which was not enough for my family of five children. After the floods swept it away, we were left with very little, and life was hard. However, with the help of the GiveDirectly transfers, I was able to buy building materials and construct a new house. Now, we live in a much better home, and our lives have greatly improved. The house has brought us dignity and comfort, something we didn’t have before. The transfers have also made a big difference in my children's education. Before, my child would miss school for days because I couldn’t afford the fees. But ever since I used the GiveDirectly money to pay for school fees, my child has never missed a single day of school. This has been a huge relief for me, knowing my children’s education is no longer disrupted."

"I separated from my husband a long time ago, and since then, I’ve had to take care of my children on my own. Life has been difficult, trying to meet all their needs by myself. I work as a community mobilizer and have three children. When I received my most recent transfer, the first thing I did was pay $100 for my grandmother’s hospital bill. Sadly, she passed away, but I was relieved to have been able to settle her medical expenses. With the remaining money, I bought a bed and a mattress for $70 because my children had been sleeping on the floor, which was tough for them. I also used the rest of the funds to buy food. This transfer has truly changed our lives, and I am forever grateful for the support that has made things easier for my family."

"Now that I am in my final year of secondary school, preparing for my transition is very important. After secondary school, I want to join college and study education, as I have dreams of becoming a teacher by profession. To do this, I have been buying goats and chickens, and I hope that they multiply in number so that in the future I may be able to sell some of them and use the proceeds to pay my school fees. Additionally, I also intend to continue using a portion of my transfers to pay school fees for myself and assist my parents, as I know this is very heavy on them since they do not have a stable and reliable source of income. I am very grateful for these transfers from GiveDirectly, as they have been very helpful in my educational journey, and I am hopeful that I can achieve my dreams."

"I was on the farm alongside my wife when I received a message from GiveDirectly informing me that I had received $180. I felt a wave of happiness and relief wash over me, especially since I had just been displaced by floods. So much was going on in my mind, but my first thought was to buy building materials. This money could help us rebuild and find some stability amid the chaos."

"In the coming year, my goal is to start goat farming because goats are more affordable and easier to maintain than cows, even though I already have one cow. I plan to save at least $10 monthly from my transfers to accumulate enough to buy one goat at a time. Currently, a goat costs around $50 due to high demand, but with steady savings, I know I can reach that amount. Starting with one goat, I hope to slowly build a herd, which will provide my family with a reliable source of income through offspring and meat selling. Over time, this will not only improve our financial stability but also allow me to expand the farm."

"Since receiving the unconditional cash from GiveDirectly, the biggest difference I've seen is that I was finally able to pay off the school fees arrears for my two children. Before this, they were at risk of being sent home. I mainly depend on maize farming, which I sell to Kenya Seed to raise money. The unfortunate part is that Kenya Seed often delays their payments for a long time, and this has always been a challenge for us. Without timely payments, it’s difficult to handle urgent expenses like school fees, but now, thanks to GiveDirectly, I’ve been able to cover those costs without worrying about when the payments from my maize will come through."

"The biggest difference in my life is the significant improvement in my daily life and overall well-being thanks to the support from GiveDirectly. Before receiving the cash transfer, I often faced food insecurity and skipped meals. Now, I can buy enough food, which has improved my nutrition and given me peace of mind. Also, I can purchase building materials, bringing me closer to a more comfortable and secure home. Transitioning from my traditional manyatta house to a modern one fulfills my long-held desire for better security. Finally, having the means to pay for medical attention has positively impacted my health. Being able to access medication ensures I can manage my health effectively. Overall, the support from GiveDirectly has provided me with transformative change, stability, and improved well-being."