"The day I got the cash transfer, I knew exactly how I would spend it. I immediately bought a cow for $140, which I consider an important asset. A cow is more than just livestock; it’s an investment. In case of an emergency, I can sell it to cover urgent expenses. Having this cow makes me feel secure, knowing that I have something valuable to rely on in the future. This is my way of planning ahead, especially since life can be unpredictable.With $20, I bought some food to stock up, just a little bit since I only have one child, and the food will last us for a while. I used $10 to buy a plastic table, which may sound small, but it has been really useful. I already had one table, but I wanted a portable one that I could carry outside to enjoy my morning tea in the fresh air. It’s these small comforts that make life feel a bit more enjoyable, and now, I have that.The remaining $30 went to paying for my wife's college fees. She’s studying, and it’s been a challenge to manage her school fees. In the past, we’ve had to rely on fundraising or my income from farming, but this transfer made it much easier. I feel proud that I could support her education without much struggle this time. My boda boda business brings in about $10 a day, which helps with the rest of our daily needs, but this transfer has really helped us manage things better."

"Life has been a constant struggle for me and my family, especially with five children to care for. My wife and I often rely on casual jobs just to cover the basics—mostly for school fees and food. The hardest part has been my daughter's illness. She suffers from liver cirrhosis, and her medication costs more than we can ever manage to save. Every month is a battle, and without a steady source of income, we’ve been living day by day, unsure how long we could keep going. When the cash transfer arrived, it felt like a heavy weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I immediately used $120 to pay my children's school fees, which brought immense relief as they were close to being sent home. The pressure of balancing their education with our other needs had been overwhelming, but with that money, I knew they could stay in school for a little while longer. Additionally, I spent $60 on food, ensuring my family wouldn’t have to worry about meals for some time.Although my daughter’s illness remains a major challenge, and we still need a lot of money for her treatment, I’m grateful for the chance to breathe a little easier. Knowing that my children’s education and basic needs are secure, this has given me some peace of mind."

"Before receiving the transfer, I was completely lost, unsure of how to pay the large medical bill for my wife’s cancer treatment. Even with the help of my neighbors who conducted a fundraiser, it wasn’t enough to cover all the expenses. The pressure was overwhelming, and I didn’t know where else to turn for help. After receiving the transfer, I was able to clear the hospital bill, but sadly, my wife still passed away. The biggest difference now is that I have some financial relief to focus on my children, especially their school fees. Life is still tough, but at least I no longer have the weight of the hospital debt on my shoulders."

"Currently, my family and I reside in a small one-room house. I have always wished to build a better and more spacious house for us, but due to limited income as a peasant farmer, this has not been possible. However, since I joined the GiveDirectly program, I have gained hope and determination to work towards constructing a new house in the coming year and beyond. My plan is to build a new house to provide my children with their own space and to give the adults in the family their own space as well. To achieve this, I intend to allocate my transfers towards paying school fees for my children and purchasing building materials for the house. This way, I can gradually work towards constructing a new home for us. Additionally, I have aspirations to own cows for plowing my farm. To accomplish this, I have been investing in chickens, hoping that they will multiply. In the future, I plan to trade the chickens for goats, allow the goats to multiply and increase in value, and eventually trade them for cows. Achieving these goals means a lot to me and will bring me great happiness."

"The biggest difference since I started receiving money from GiveDirectly has been the ability to rest. With food in the house, I no longer need to take low-paying odd jobs, which has greatly improved my health. This stability has allowed me to look for other opportunities, such as opening a business shortly. My home now looks appealing thanks to the new household items I was able to buy with the GiveDirectly transfers, items that I did not own before. I am truly grateful to GiveDirectly for their timely support, which has made a significant impact on my life."

"After receiving $180 from GiveDirectly and the initial excitement wore off, I focused on achieving my goals. I used $60 to buy a new mattress. Previously, I had to sleep on the floor with makeshift bedding, which was uncomfortable, especially considering my old age. Now, I enjoy a good night’s sleep and look forward to bedtime, a feeling I had not experienced before. I spent $50 to buy food, which was a huge relief since I have no farm due to the floods that swept it away, and I no longer have the energy for casual labor. This situation had forced me to rely on my daughter for support, which added an extra burden on her. Now, I have enough food to eat. Finally, I used $32 to buy chairs, making it possible to welcome guests with dignity. In the past, I felt embarrassed to have guests because there was nowhere for them to sit."

"When I received $180 from GiveDirectly, I had a significant burden of school fees. I have two children in secondary school, and I spent $100 to pay their fees. This support came at a crucial time, as they had missed several days of school. Thanks to GiveDirectly, I was able to send them back to school, and they have had uninterrupted studies so far, which I am truly grateful for. Previously, I struggled with casual labor that didn’t provide enough to cover their fees, leaving them at a disadvantage because they spent most days at home. After paying the school fees, I spent $45 to buy a mattress and chairs. The mattress has greatly improved our health and overall well-being, as I used to sleep on the floor, and now I finally have a comfortable place to rest. With the remaining money, I bought food since the recent floods had swept away my farm, leaving me with no harvest and no food at home. This assistance from GiveDirectly has made a significant difference in our lives, and I am deeply thankful for it."

"Recently, after receiving $180 from GiveDirectly, I wanted to invest in something sustainable that would help me remember the support even after the transfers are done. I spent $70 to buy a goat, which has since given birth, and now I have two goats. This feels like a double blessing, especially since I didn’t own any livestock before. I recently married seven months ago and have a young family, so I also spent $25 on essential household items that we didn’t have, including a utensil stand and a charcoal _jiko_. The _jiko_ has been especially helpful for cooking during the rainy season when we cannot find firewood. After that, I used $48 to irrigate my piece of land where I have planted vegetables. These vegetables will serve as food for my family, and I plan to sell any surplus to meet other household needs. The rest of the money went toward buying new clothes for me and my wife. This support from GiveDirectly has greatly improved our lives, and I am truly grateful."

"The biggest change since I started receiving cash transfers from GiveDirectly has been the ability to lease a one-acre piece of land for farming. This felt like a dream come true because I have always wanted to start maize farming. With this farm, I can generate more income, which will open up more opportunities for me to develop myself and sustain my farming activities. For this, I am truly grateful to GiveDirectly."

"Recently, after receiving $180 from GiveDirectly, my husband and I had many pressing issues to address, so we sat down together to plan. One of our main concerns was our daughter, who is in form four. I didn't want her studies interrupted, especially since it was her final term, so I took $50 from the transfer to clear her school fees balance. This ensured that she could stay in school and focus on her studies, which is crucial as she prepares for the upcoming national exam. I am hopeful that she will perform well. With the school fees settled, we focused on our housing situation. We live in a small, old house that doesn’t meet our needs, and it's also at risk of flooding if the rains come again. I used $120 from the transfer to buy construction materials, including iron sheets and frames, with the hope of completing the construction with future transfers. This will give my family a safer and more spacious home, away from the threat of floods. I used the remaining money to buy kale seeds for my home garden. The kales have since matured, helping to meet my family’s food needs, and I can also sell some to cover other household expenses. This support from GiveDirectly has made a real difference in addressing our most urgent needs"