"With the money I received, I decided to buy a bed, chairs, and a metal box to store my belongings. I had no proper furniture in my house, only traditional wooden chairs that were uncomfortable and worn out. Getting these new items felt like a fresh start for me, especially since I had been sleeping on the floor for a long time. The bed brought me so much comfort, and now I finally have a safe place to store my things. It’s a simple change, but it has made my life at home much more comfortable and organized.I used the remaining money to purchase food. I’ve been depending on my children to provide for me, but I know they are struggling with their own families, and I didn’t want to burden them any longer. By buying enough food, I can now manage for a while without asking for help. It felt good to be able to support myself again, even in a small way, and I know it has eased the pressure on my children as well.I live with one of my grandchildren, while my husband, who is very old, stays with his first wife because he is a polygamous man. All my other children are married and have their own families to take care of. Life has been hard, but this cash transfer gave me a chance to improve my living conditions and take some of the pressure off my family. It feels good to stand on my own two feet again, even if just for a little while."

"The biggest difference I've seen since receiving the unconditional cash from GiveDirectly is that I was finally able to buy four chairs and a sofa set. Before the transfers, I used to sit on logs outside, or worse, I had to borrow seats from my neighbors. That never sat well with me, especially because people would talk behind my back, saying things like, I used to be a teacher, but I can't even afford to buy proper seats. It hurt because teaching didn't pay much, and I eventually quit because of the meager salary. But now, thanks to the cash, I no longer have to rely on anyone for something as basic as furniture, and that sense of independence feels incredible."

"I run a kiosk where I used to sell only sugar and soap, starting at just $6.3. With the transfer, I added more stock, and now my business is growing. I used $50 to bring in more items for sale, and my daily sales have improved from $8 to $20. This has helped me expand the business, and I’m now able to meet more customer demands. I also wanted to make sure that I invested in something long-term. So, I used $150 to buy two goats. I see this as a form of saving because goats multiply quickly, and I already have one new kid. This will provide extra income for my family in the future, without spending the money right away on things like house renovations, that I had initially planned to do. I know that once the goats multiply, I'll be able to sell some and generate even more income."

"I spent $80 to stake the maize, pay workers for the harvest, and hire a tractor to transport it to the drying zones before sale. It was harvesting season, and the money couldn’t have come at a better time—without it, we might have lost part of the crop. I used another $80 to buy clothes for my husband, our four children, and myself. The floods destroyed most of what we had, leaving us with very little to wear. It felt good to see my family in clean, decent clothes again, especially for when we need to go to church, the market, or visit others. With $20, I bought food for the household because, at the time, we were surviving on casual jobs, which didn’t always guarantee meals. We spent the remainder of the money to contribute to my father’s funeral—he had just passed away, and it was important for us to give him a respectful send-off. The cash was truly a blessing, helping us survive the season and face some of our biggest challenges with a bit more ease."

"When I received the unconditional cash from GiveDirectly, the biggest difference it made was that I was finally able to pay dowry for my wife. This was a huge relief for me because, before that, things weren’t as smooth. Whenever my wife would go back to her parent's home, it used to feel difficult for me to follow her there since I hadn’t officially fulfilled that obligation. But now that the dowry is paid, our relationship with her family has also improved. I have gained more respect from my in-laws, and there is now a real sense of connection between us.  My wife is happier too, which makes life at home much easier and more fulfilling. With that stress gone, we can now plan better for our future together, and it feels like we are really on the same page. All this became possible because of GiveDirectly, and I am deeply grateful for that."

"I was just relaxing at home when I heard a message notification on my phone right there next to me. Curious, I picked it up and opened the message, and my heart leaped when I saw it was the GiveDirectly transfer! I couldn’t believe it—I felt so excited! The first thing I did was call my husband to tell him the good news. I was overjoyed because I already had a plan in mind: I wanted to lease a piece of land to plant beans, and now I finally had the money to make it happen."

"Immediately after receiving $180 from GiveDirectly, I used $60 to take my son back to school. He had been home for a week due to a lack of school fees, and it was a stressful time for me because I didn’t want his education to be interrupted. Now he’s back in school, and I’m very grateful for that. Next, I addressed the food situation at home. The floods had swept away my farm, leaving me with no harvest. I used $34 to buy food for my family, ensuring we had regular meals during that difficult time. I also used $60 to take my other child, who was sick, to the hospital. The floods brought cold weather, and diseases were common, but thanks to GiveDirectly, my child is now back to good health. Lastly, I spent the remaining money on clothes for my family, and we all appreciated the support. This assistance has made a big difference in our lives."

"Upon receiving $200 from GiveDirectly, I decided to use the money exactly as I had planned. I allocated $40 to support my grandchild’s education, as he stays with me during the holidays, and I wanted to contribute to his schooling. Next, I wanted to improve my comfort, so I spent $60 on a mattress and bed. Previously, I had been sleeping on makeshift bedding, but now I look forward to bedtime because of the comfort that comes with the new setup. I also used $40 to buy a sheep, which I believe will help me face future challenges as it multiplies. I can sell the sheep later to generate income. Lastly, I spent the remaining money on food, ensuring there is enough at home. Before, I used to skip meals, but now I have enough to eat regularly."

"I was at home with my wife, browsing on my phone, when a message popped up informing me that I had received $200 from GiveDirectly. I immediately shared the news with my wife, and we both felt a rush of excitement. The first thought that came to my mind was to get back into tomato farming. My wife and I began to discuss our plans, feeling hopeful about what this new venture could bring for our family. The support from GiveDirectly had opened up a new path for us, and we were eager to make the most of it"

"I live alone, and one evening my neighbor came to inform me that GiveDirectly had sent money. Since I am old and can't read, I had to wait for my assigned helper. After a week, when he finally came, he confirmed that GiveDirectly had indeed sent the transfer. I was so happy and filled with gratitude because this support meant so much to me. The first thought that came to my mind was to use the money to buy a bed and a mattress, something I really needed. I felt a great sense of relief, knowing that I could now improve my comfort and rest better."