"My children were frequently sent home from school because I couldn't pay their fees on time. It was heartbreaking to see their educational dreams at risk due to financial constraints. Receiving my first transfer from GiveDirectly was a huge relief because I used $150 to clear my children's fee arrears, allowing them to return to school. I also spent $250 on building materials such as 16 iron sheets, building poles, and nails to continue building a house for my children. I had started building the house but had to stop due to lack of materials, forcing us to live in a cramped space. With the support, I've resumed building the house and I am grateful that my children will soon have a place of their own. The remaining amount was used to buy food, including a bag of maize flour, ensuring that my family had enough to eat, especially since farming didn't yield much this season, which we rely on for sustenance."

"My husband is a farmer, and I sell fish to support our family. We have six children, four of whom are in primary school. When I received my most recent transfer, I decided to use part of it to strengthen my business. I invested $20 into my fish business to increase our earnings, and with the remaining funds, I bought household items like utensils and clothes worth $70. I also purchased foodstuff, including beans and maize, for $60. These purchases were essential for us, but the business boost was a priority because it’s our main source of income. Before receiving this transfer, I was unable to invest in my business due to financial difficulties. We were always struggling to make ends meet, and saving enough to grow the business seemed impossible. Now, with this support, I have been able to lift my business, provide for my family, and bring smiles to their faces. We are truly grateful for this assistance."

"I was at home, doing laundry, when I suddenly heard my neighbors celebrating loudly. They had just received their transfers from GiveDirectly. Within moments, I heard the familiar notification sound. When I opened the message, there it was—my transfer had come through! I couldn’t believe it. It was such a beautiful and emotional moment for all of us in the community. I had been looking forward to this day, especially since now I could finally pay my children's school fees."

"In the coming months, my goal is to continue using my subsequent transfers to purchase food. This will ensure that my family has a consistent food supply, and we never miss any meals. Additionally, I want to invest in livestock. The ability of livestock to multiply over time makes them a good investment. Once they reproduce, I can sell some and earn money that I can use to address my family's needs. To achieve this goal, I plan to save a portion of my transfers every month and use the accumulated amount to buy livestock. I am very happy and appreciative of the financial support that has helped my family live a better life despite the challenges we face. This assistance has given us hope and allowed us to maintain a good quality of life even in the face of difficult circumstances."

"My goal in the coming months is to continue using a portion of my transfers to buy food and ensure my family is well-fed. In addition to purchasing food, I want to invest in more livestock. To achieve this, I plan to save part of the transfers, which will eventually allow me to buy additional goats. Livestock is a good investment for me because they have the potential to multiply over time. Once the herd grows, I can sell some of them and use the money to address my family's needs, providing us with a stable source of income. I am very happy and appreciative of the financial support, which has helped me live a better life despite my financial struggles. This support has given me hope and allowed me to plan for a more secure and sustainable future for my family."

"When I came home in the evening after tending to my livestock, my son, who helps me, told me the money had arrived. I was excited but couldn't quite believe it at first. I decided not to rush, so I told him, "Let's wait until tomorrow to withdraw and confirm it's real." As I lay down that night, my thoughts were filled with ideas, and the first thing that came to mind was furnishing my house. My children had built me a house, but I had no chairs or tables. The joy of finally being able to fill my home with furniture was overwhelming."

"Life was very tough before, especially with seven children and the burden of school fees. I was burning charcoal, doing casual jobs, and farming just to provide for my family, but it was never enough. My husband is too old to work, so everything fell on my shoulders. Things got worse when floods destroyed my maize farm, which I had depended on for food and income. I was left frustrated and desperate, especially with so many children at home needing school fees. With the money I received, I immediately used $160 to pay all the school fees for my secondary school children. It was such a relief to clear those fees because they had been sent home multiple times. I had $20 left, and I used that to buy new uniforms for my younger children in primary school, as their old ones were worn out. It was important for me to make sure they were presentable and felt comfortable at school.This cash transfer has completely changed my life. I no longer feel as overwhelmed and desperate as I did before. With the school fees settled, I can focus on farming and other jobs without constant worry about how I will pay for their education. I am grateful beyond words for this support, as it has lifted a huge weight off my shoulders and given me hope for a better future for my children and myself."

"Before receiving the cash transfer, I had no money to start livestock farming, and I felt hopeless after closing my business. I struggled to provide for my family and had to depend on my husband's irregular income. However, after getting the transfer, everything changed for the better. I was able to buy a cow and a sheep, making my dream of farming come true. Now I have a source of income and food for my family, which has reduced my stress. I am very grateful to GiveDirectly for this opportunity that has opened a new door in my life."

"Before receiving the transfer, I had no capital to start farming because all my money went towards enrolling my children in university. I struggled without savings and was constantly worried about how to provide for my family. When GiveDirectly stepped in, it changed everything. With the money, I was able to lease land for farming and ensure we had enough food at home, which reduced a lot of my stress. Now, I’ve even saved some income from my casual jobs and managed to open a small grocery kiosk to help cover daily needs like milk and vegetables. This support has made a big difference in my life, giving me stability and hope for the future. Thanks so much Givedirectly."

"As a businesswoman who buys and sells maize, I was fortunate enough to receive an unconditional cash transfer at just the right time. Maize prices were low, so I used $160 to buy seven bags of maize to sell. This decision brought me a profit of around $14, which, while modest, helped me keep the business running. I've always had a passion for doing business, and alongside selling maize, I sometimes sell vegetables and fruits depending on the season. With some of the transfer, I also took care of my family’s needs. I spent $20 on clothes for my daughter, my husband, and myself. We hadn’t bought new clothes in a while, and I believe it’s important to look good and present ourselves well, even during hard times. It felt good to finally address that need, which we had been putting off for some time."