Next year, my husband and I are planning to lease a piece of land so we can start farming. We’ve been thinking about it for a while, and now seems like the right time. We want to focus on green peas and maize. You see, this is a farming region, and green peas are great because they’re drought-resistant. Even if the rains don’t come as expected, we’ll still have a chance at a decent crop. We’re waiting on one last transfer, and once that comes through, we’ll use the money to set everything up for the venture. We’re really hopeful that the harvest will be good. If things go well, we want to use the profits to open a small business. That way, we can stay independent and sustain ourselves without having to rely on anyone else. It’s a dream we’ve had for a while, and we’re ready to make it happen.

Their staff came to visit us to understand our living conditions, which made me feel seen and valued. They didn’t send middlemen; instead, they came themselves, which built trust right from the start. Throughout the process, they spoke to us with kindness and respect—there was no harassment or pressure, just clear communication. They explained everything thoroughly, so I knew exactly what to expect and how the funds would come. Even after receiving the money, GiveDirectly didn’t forget about us. They followed up to check how we were doing, ensuring we were managing well and finding out if the support made a difference. Honestly, I wouldn’t change anything about how they operate—they’ve done everything right. Their approach was transparent, respectful, and effective, which makes all the difference for people like us who rarely experience such direct and dignified support.

The first thing I did when I received the transfer was buy a three-seater sofa set for $50. We only had a two-seater, and whenever guests visited, it wasn’t enough to accommodate everyone comfortably. I also bought a table for $40 because we didn’t have one, and it felt awkward serving people without a proper place to put things. For $5, I got a plastic chair for one of my children since I had bought only one earlier, and the other child still needed theirs. I used $35 to buy a bag of maize and spent another $30 on other food items to ensure we had enough to eat for the month. With $40, I decided to boost my mandazi business. This small investment has really paid off, and now the business runs on its own without needing any more cash injections. Additionally, I used $15 to buy some clothes for the children so they could have decent things to wear both at home and when visiting relatives. The remaining amount, we decided to save. My husband plans to add it to his salary so we can buy a cow. Having a cow will not only provide us with milk but also help us improve our family's nutrition and cut down on some expenses. This support has truly given us a solid foundation, and I am optimistic about the future.

I was at home with my husband and our two kids, feeling very broke. We had no money and were worried about how we would manage. Suddenly, I received a message from GiveDirectly telling me that I had received $200. I was overjoyed! I immediately shared the news with my family, and our home was instantly filled with happiness. My first thought was to sit down with my family and plan how we would use the money wisely. We wanted to make sure we prioritized our most pressing needs. At that moment, we had no food left to eat, so I quickly rushed to the nearby shop to buy just enough food for that day. We decided that my husband would go to town the next day to do the general shopping and buy everything we had budgeted for. Thanks to GiveDirectly, we were able to meet our urgent needs, and our home was filled with joy and relief.

Since I started receiving transfers from GiveDirectly, I have experienced two major changes in my life. The first big change is that I no longer sleep on the floor. Before, I didn’t have a bed and had no choice but to spend my nights on the floor, which was very challenging. Now, I sleep in comfort and with dignity. The second big change is that my family now has enough food. We used to struggle with just two meals a day, but now, we can enjoy three meals daily. This has greatly improved our health and overall family life. We are joyful and incredibly grateful for this support.

When I received $200 from GiveDirectly, my family and I decided to carefully budget the money based on our most urgent needs. At that time, we had no food to eat, and with two kids to take care of, this was our top priority. I allocated $80 to buy enough food for my family, and now we have plenty to eat. Our lives have greatly improved because we no longer worry about where our next meal will come from. Before receiving the money, I didn’t have a bed and had been sleeping on the floor. It was uncomfortable and tiring. So, I decided to use $50 to buy a bed. Now, I can enjoy a good night’s sleep with comfort. Another challenge we faced was having no chairs in our home. It was sometimes embarrassing when visitors came, and we had nowhere for them to sit. I spent $21 to buy three plastic chairs, and now when we have guests, they can comfortably sit down. With our immediate needs met, I used the remaining money to boost my small business, which was struggling at the time. I sell snacks, and the additional funds have helped me keep the business running. Thanks to this, I can now meet my daily needs and continue supporting my family.