"After the recent floods, my house was submerged in water, forcing us to relocate temporarily to a camp at the nearby center across the river for one month. When I returned, hoping the water had receded, I was shocked to find the house still damp. I had no other option but to stay with my youngest daughter, who is in primary school. The situation was unbearable. A few weeks later, I got sick with pneumonia and had to go to the hospital. My daughter also caught a cold, and as a mother, it pained me deeply that I couldn't do anything to improve our situation. Then, GiveDirectly's first transfer restored my hope. After receiving it, I couldn’t think of anything else but building a new house. My brother kindly gave me a piece of land to build on without hesitation. I had some savings left after paying my children’s school fees, around $100, which I combined with the entire GiveDirectly transfer. I also sold one of my goats to top up the amount needed to build the house. Now, I am living comfortably in my new home. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for their support."

"Thanks to the financial transfers, I now have nine hens. My plan is to expand further by investing in more livestock. I am especially interested in purchasing goats with my upcoming transfers because they breed quickly. This will allow me to sell some in a short time and generate income. I'm deeply grateful for the support, which is helping me become more financially independent and capable of meeting my needs."

"The biggest difference in my life right now is that we enjoy meals in a well-lit and airy space on the verandah that I extended from the main house. Before I received the cash from GiveDirectly, my children and I would eat in the sitting room, which was always hot and stuffy. The children often spilled food, making a huge mess, which was embarrassing, especially when we had visitors. Now, with the extra space, we can sit comfortably outside, and the kids have more room to move around without creating such a mess. The verandah has also become a welcoming space for visitors, so I no longer feel embarrassed when people come over. Instead, I'm proud to host them in this new, beautiful part of our home."

"My husband is a fisherman, and I do casual jobs like burning charcoal. However, we don’t rely heavily on charcoal; most of our income comes from my husband’s earnings, which are about $3 a day. He used to be the primary breadwinner, but sometimes we struggle to find a market for the fish, making it difficult to afford basic necessities. When I received the cash transfer, we had no savings, and my daughter-in-law was at the maternity ward, so I used $50 to purchase clothes for the newborn and other essentials. Additionally, I spent $50 on food to ensure we had enough at home. This allowed us to focus on our 2-hectare maize farm without worrying about where our next meal would come from. I also had outstanding school fees, so I allocated $40 to clear those arrears and ensure my child could stay in school without any interruptions.With the remaining $30, we decided to buy new clothes for my family of five, ensuring that everyone had something new to wear. The cash transfer came at the perfect time and helped us cover our immediate needs while allowing us to plan for the future."

"With my first transfer of $180, I invested all of it in agriculture, specifically to plant watermelons. I'm expecting to harvest enough to fill one lorry, which I can sell for around $1,500. I have four children, and my wife is an ECD (Early Childhood Development) teacher, earning about $9,000 per month. While waiting for the watermelon harvest, I’ve also planted kales, which provide around $60 to cover basic needs. Additionally, I own 30 sheep, and I plan to sell some in case of an emergency, giving us a backup source of income.The watermelons are a major opportunity because they have the potential for high profit. Once we harvest, I will use the money from the watermelons to expand my business by buying and selling livestock. My plan is to purchase sheep at $50 and sell them at $70, making a profit of $20 per sheep. This would be a huge turning point for me, allowing us to grow our income steadily.For watermelon farming, I use a generator and pipes to pump water from the nearby river, ensuring the crops are well-irrigated. I'm hopeful that this venture will bring in a good profit, and I’m looking forward to reinvesting in more sheep with the next transfer. This will help me build a more stable financial future for my family and expand our farming and livestock businesses."

"With the unconditional cash transfer, I was able to make a significant difference in our lives. I used $50 to pay for my children's school fees, ensuring their education continues without interruption. I also bought six chickens for $20, planning to sell them gradually to help cover future school expenses as they multiply. Additionally, I purchased a bed for $50 and chairs for $40, which has made our home much more comfortable. I spent $40 on clothes so that my children could have new outfits and feel happy, as they had very few clothes before.Life has been challenging since separating from my husband ten years ago. I manage everything on my own while also trying to balance charcoal burning and farming. Unfortunately, this year's farming was a complete loss due to floods that destroyed my crops. The floods also took away six of my chickens, further straining our situation.Despite these hardships, the cash transfer has provided a much-needed boost. It has allowed me to address some urgent needs and bring a bit of relief and comfort to my children. Even though the struggle continues, knowing that we have essential items and a small source of future income from the chickens gives me hope for a better future."

"My two sons had been sent home from high school to collect their school fees, and I used $100 to pay what was due. It was such a relief because they could finally return to school without further interruptions. I also used $15 to pay the fees for my daughter, who is in Grade 8. The timing couldn’t have been better, as I had been worried about how to keep them in school. I spent $35 on a bag of maize, which was essential since we had been struggling to buy food due to my reliance on casual jobs. Knowing that I wouldn’t have to worry about our next meal brought me a sense of security I hadn’t felt in a while. I also used $10 to buy sugar and cooking oil, which are necessities that have been difficult to afford lately. The remaining amount, though small, allowed me to start a small grocery business. I knew that depending solely on casual labor wasn’t sustainable, so I invested the little money left to buy mangoes, oranges and spices to sell.This little business gives me a way to earn more consistently, helping to stabilize our household finances. It’s a small start, but it offers hope for a better future."

"The moment I received the money was unforgettable. It was around 4 p.m., and I was at home with my wife after coming back from the farm. I was feeling a mix of exhaustion and worry, as the floods had almost pushed us back to square one, taking away much of what we had. There was no way to burn charcoal, which is how we make a living, and we were struggling to buy even the basics.When I checked and saw the money, I was filled with joy and relief. It felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Without wasting any time, I rushed to the nearby center to buy flour, knowing that at least we would have food to eat. It was a moment of pure happiness because, for the first time in a long while, we had hope and some security. The timing couldn’t have been better."

"I now feel a sense of relief and comfort. Before, life was extremely difficult. I used to sleep on sacks, which left me feeling exhausted every day. But now, I sleep on a proper mattress, and it has made a huge difference in how I feel physically and emotionally. I thank God for that blessing. My family is happier, and we have a bit more stability. The floods had destroyed my house and washed away some of my chickens, even taking my previous mattress. It was a tough time, but with the cash support, I’ve been able to rebuild small parts of our life, settle bills, and make our home more comfortable again. The support has brought us hope and a chance to recover from the damage."

"Life was difficult for me and my children. For years, we slept on the floor with no mattress, exposed to the cold every night. The floor was hard and uncomfortable, and we used mats as makeshift mattresses. My children, being young, were especially vulnerable. Without proper bedding, they often caught colds and the flu, which made them feel miserable and added to my worries. Every night, I would lie awake, uncomfortable and exhausted, constantly concerned about their health. Since getting the mattresses and bed, the difference has been remarkable. My children no longer sleep on the cold, hard floor, and they have been healthier. I no longer have to worry about them getting sick as often. We finally have a sense of comfort and safety, and it has made a huge impact on our daily lives. Thank you, GiveDirectly."