"The biggest change in my life since I started receiving cash transfers from GiveDirectly is the ability to sleep on a mattress. Before this, I had no choice but to sleep on the floor, which was uncomfortable and difficult, especially given my old age. Now, every night I enjoy a restful sleep, which has greatly improved my overall well-being. Additionally, I no longer feel embarrassed when I have visitors because I can now offer them chairs to sit on. This small but significant change has made my home a more welcoming place, allowing me to welcome guests comfortably and enjoy their company without the worry of inadequate seating. Overall, these improvements have brought a sense of dignity and comfort to my daily life."

"I was at home after finishing my usual casual labor when I suddenly received a message. Upon checking, I saw that it was from GiveDirectly, informing me that I had received $180. This was a timely support for my family, and I felt a wave of relief and happiness. I couldn't help but smile as I thought about how I would use the money to shop the next day. This unexpected assistance filled me with hope and excitement for what I could do for my family."

"It was in the evening when I received a message confirming that I had received $180 from GiveDirectly. At that moment, I was at the nearby river, checking on a piece of land that I wanted to cultivate. Excited by the news, I rushed back home to inform."

"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"

"I married my wonderful husband who was working as a teacher. For many years, life was smooth as his salary comfortably supported our family of seven. However, since his retirement last year, we have faced significant challenges, particularly with paying school fees for our five children, who are in college and secondary school. Our firstborn, pursuing a diploma in hospitality, had to drop out this year due to unpaid fees. The other children are still in school, but their academic performance has been affected by the financial strain because they are in and out of school. As a housewife, I have found it difficult to support him because I am a house wife and unemployment has become one of the greatest challenges I am facing."

"I have been living with my family, which includes my elderly spouse, my co-wife, and our six children, at my brother-in-law's compound. My desire has always been to buy my land and build a home for my family since the daily conflicts with my brother made us feel like a burden to him. However, due to the financial hardships I face as the sole breadwinner, relying on any job that comes my way, I lacked the resources to buy my land. When I received my transfer, I prioritized this goal and was able to acquire the land. This has made the biggest difference in my daily life because now my children will have a place of their own to build their homes, and it’s also a valuable asset for us. In addition, we will now avoid the ongoing family conflict, bringing peace of mind to my family."

"I remember very well that it was around 7 in the morning, just after I had finished bathing my children to prepare them for school when one of them informed me that I had received the money. I was overjoyed, knowing that my life was about to change for the better. I also knew that I would finally be able to buy a piece of land, something I had been yearning for since I currently don't own any. My brother-in-law has been hosting us, but lately, there have been family conflicts, which I feel we need to resolve."

"In the coming months, I plan to use the remaining transfers to pay the required labor fees to finalize the construction of the house. Once the house is fully completed, my next goal is to start a kiosk business. Establishing this business will diversify my income sources and provide me with additional financial stability to support my family. I am already a member of a savings group and intend to save more once the house is complete, so I can accumulate enough capital to launch the business next year. I am deeply appreciative of the support from GiveDirectly, which has empowered me to make significant strides towards my goals, especially rebuilding my home and planning for a more secure financial future."

"Before I received the unconditional cash from GiveDirectly, I had never slept on a mattress. I didn't realize how comfortable it could be until I finally bought one with the money I received. Now, when I wake up, I feel good and full of energy. I no longer have body aches that made me feel like I was aging too fast. At night, I get into bed and sleep so deeply. It feels amazing to be so comfortable, and I can't believe how happy I am. Every morning, I wake up feeling refreshed and over the moon, ready to take on the day. This simple change has made a huge difference in my life."