"As an elderly woman, I am no longer able to work and provide for myself. I rely heavily on my sons, who work as casual laborers, to help meet my needs. I also try to support my eight grandchildren, all of whom are in school. When their parents are unable to pay school fees, I do what I can to assist. Recently, I spent $10 to cover fee arrears for three of my grandchildren, who had been sent home. I was relieved to see them return to school in time for their end-of-term exams. In addition, I used $40 to purchase a wooden bed, which is a significant improvement from the sisal twine bed I’ve been sleeping on. The old bed has been uncomfortable, and I’m happy to finally have a more comfortable place to sleep. I also saved $20 in a savings group, with the hope of using it in the future to buy livestock. I spent $12 on food to ensure that my family and I had enough to eat, and we didn’t have to go to bed hungry. Unfortunately, I also had to spend $20 on travel expenses to attend my grandson's funeral. Despite these challenges, I am very grateful for the financial support that has helped me meet both my needs and those of my family."

"Looking forward, my main goal for the coming year and beyond is to ensure that my family is well-fed. I plan to use future transfers to purchase food for them. Another important goal is to ensure that my children continue their education and receive the best opportunities possible. The financial support will be essential in helping me cover their school fees. I am deeply thankful and appreciative of the transfers, as they have not only helped me take care of my family but have also made it possible to work towards a better future for my children."

"Upon receiving $200 from GiveDirectly, I used $160 to buy three goats. The reason for this is that goats do very well in the area where I now live. I used to be a crop farmer, but after being displaced by floods, I had to move to a new location that doesn’t support crop farming. However, this place is ideal for keeping livestock, and by buying these goats, I can ensure that the support I receive will provide a sustainable and consistent income for my family. With the remaining $30, I paid school fees for my child. This allowed him to sit for his end-of-term exams without stress, and now I can start the next term without any outstanding balances. This support has truly helped me provide for both my family’s future and my child’s education."

"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."

"When I received the cash transfer, my first thought was to help my brother in college. He had arrears of $100, and without clearing them, he couldn’t attend his classes. I knew how important it was for him to stay in school, so I took care of that immediately. I also had to support my niece, who is in Form 1. She had been sent home because of unpaid school fees, so I used $80 to settle her dues and get her back to school. Next, I decided to improve my living conditions. I spent $100 on a bed, two plastic chairs, a mattress, and some curtains because the ones I had were worn out, and I needed a fresh start. I also used $15 as a deposit for a pay-as-you-go solar system since I had been relying on a torch for lighting at night. Having proper light at home was a small but significant change. The rest of the money went into long-term investments. I bought construction metals for $30, planning to use them for building soon. I also used $100 to lease an acre of land where I’ll plant maize next year. This way, I’m hoping to increase my income and ensure food security. Every coin I spent was purposeful, addressing immediate needs while also securing my future."

"When I received the cash, the first thing I did was buy two bags of maize for $54. I depend on casual labor and selling charcoal to make ends meet, and having food stocked up gave me peace of mind. Feeding my family is always a struggle, so I knew this would keep us going for a while without worrying about our next meal. I also bought a goat and a sheep for $110, something I’ve always dreamed of owning. In the future, they can multiply or be sold during hard times. Having them makes me feel more secure because they’re assets I can rely on when I need quick income. Since I wasn’t feeling well, I spent $5 on medication to treat myself. I couldn’t afford to let the illness slow me down with so much to do. Lastly, I used $8 on my children’s school fees. Education is very important to me, and I want my kids to have better opportunities, even if it’s only a small contribution for now. Every bit helps keep them in school."

"First, I used $200 to pay off my daughter’s school fees for Form 2. Clearing the arrears has brought me so much relief, as I no longer have to worry about her missing classes due to unpaid fees. Next, I used $100 to buy household food items. We were running low on food, and with the schools closing soon, we needed to ensure we had enough supplies to feed everyone. The crops we had planted were destroyed by recent floods, so this money came at the perfect time to help us restock. Having enough food at home means a lot, especially when we can’t rely on our usual harvest. I spent $35 to plough an acre of land, then $20 to prepare ridges to control water flow during irrigation. I also used $44 to pay for labor to help with planting tomatoes. Lastly, I bought tomato seeds, which are now in the soil, hopefully growing into a successful crop. This investment in farming will help us generate income, and I hope that with a good harvest, I can continue to improve our living conditions."

"I am grateful for the financial assistance from GiveDirectly. Recently, a severe windstorm damaged my house by blowing off the roof, making it necessary for me to rebuild. When I received my latest transfer, I focused on this urgent need first. I bought ten second-hand clothes for $30 and nails for $4 to help with the repairs. Many others in my village experienced similar difficulties, but fortunately, no one was hurt. With the remaining funds, I allocated $68 for my younger siblings' school fees in secondary school. It was important to me that they could sit for their exams, as they would be denied the opportunity if the fees weren't paid, and I had no other means to cover these costs."

"After the flooding, I had given up on farming. I’d watched my fields drown, seen the work of my hands wash away, and for a long time, I just couldn’t imagine going back. But lately, something in me has shifted, and I've realized that I'm ready to start again. So, here I am, thinking of returning to farming, with a focus on maize, beans, and vegetable crops. These are the things we need most—things my family relies on for both food and income. The hope is that, this time around, I can make it work. I want to use the upcoming 3rd transfer as my starting point, to buy seeds, and start planting again. This time, I see it not just as work but as an investment. I keep telling myself, Once I harvest, I’ll finally have the resources to support my family. And it’s not just about food; I want to be able to cover school fees, to give my children a chance to learn and grow, without worrying about where the next meal will come from."

"I used $200 to buy pesticides and herbicides for my tomato crop since it’s planting season, and my tomatoes need proper care to produce a good harvest. So far, they’re growing well, and I expect to harvest them next week. This investment should lead to a strong yield and some extra income. I also spent another $200 to buy three sheep and one goat. For me, this is a long-term investment, as livestock can multiply quickly. Over time, as the animals breed, they’ll become valuable assets that can help cover future needs, like school fees or household expenses. It’s a small step toward building stability for my family. With the remaining funds, I bought food items to make sure we had enough to eat as we continued working on the farm. Knowing that our basic needs are covered allows us to focus on our farm and livestock without worrying about where our next meal will come from. This cash transfer has given me hope for a better future and a way to create a stable, supportive home for my family."