I was at work doing casual labor, and I had left my phone charging. When I came back and switched it on, I heard a message notification, but since I don’t know how to read, I asked my children to read it for me. They told me it was money from GiveDirectly, and I couldn’t believe it—I felt so happy! The first thing that came to mind was how I could now finally buy furniture, something I had been dreaming of for a long time.

The biggest difference I’ve seen after receiving the cash from GiveDirectly is that I finally have a stable bed and a new mattress. My old bed was so broken that I’d sometimes fall over in the middle of the night, and the mattress was so worn out that I would wake up with sore ribs and feeling exhausted. It was frustrating to start each day already tired, even before doing anything productive. Now, with a sturdy bed and a comfortable mattress, my nights are peaceful, and I sleep through the night without any trouble. When I wake up, I feel refreshed and full of energy, ready to tackle whatever the day brings. It’s such a relief knowing I no longer have to deal with those restless nights. This change has made a huge impact on my daily life, and I’m really grateful for it.

When I received the cash transfer, the first thing I did was buy a mattress and a bed for $80. The old mattress I had was completely worn out, and the bed frame was broken, making it impossible to get a good night’s sleep. I really needed that upgrade. After that, I bought a plastic table and two chairs for $36. Before, I only had one chair and no table, which made it hard when guests came over. Now, we have a proper place to sit and eat together as a family. With $40, I was able to pay my son’s school fees. He’s in Form Two, and I didn’t want him to miss any classes because of unpaid fees—it’s very important to me that he stays in school. I also set aside another $40 to buy food. This allowed me to stock up on essential items, which gave me peace of mind knowing that we wouldn't struggle to put meals on the table for a while. The rest of the money went toward buying clothes for my children. They had outgrown most of their clothes, and it felt good to finally be able to replace some of their worn-out items. Watching them walk around in new outfits made me feel proud and grateful.