"The floods brought so much destruction to my life, sweeping away my four acres of maize and damaging everything I owned, from my household items to my eight goats. Life was already hard, and the floods made it worse. I was struggling to make ends meet, relying on casual jobs and farming whenever the rains were kind to us. My two children depend on me, and after separating from my wife 20 years ago, I’ve been the sole provider. The money from the cash transfer came at a time when I needed it most, offering hope and relief in the midst of my challenges.I used $60 to pay my children’s school fees, which was a huge burden lifted off my shoulders. I used to rely on casual work and farming to cover the fees, but it was never enough, and sometimes I couldn’t even get casual work. I then spent $35 on a mattress because the old one we had was completely worn out, and my children had been sleeping uncomfortably. It was a small comfort, but it meant a lot to see them finally sleep well. I also bought kitchen utensils for $16, as I had very few, and it was difficult to serve guests without proper items. I purchased new clothes for $10, as I had no good clothes to wear, especially for occasions like vacations. The remaining $14 went towards buying new cups, as the ones I had were broken. Lastly, I used the rest of the money to buy food, which was a huge relief. Before, I had to rely on casual jobs that earned me just $3 a day, which was never consistent. Some days, I didn’t even have food to give my children. Now, I feel more secure knowing that I have food in the house and my children’s school fees are paid. The transfer has made a big difference in our lives, bringing hope and stability where there was once struggle."

"Life had been a constant struggle, and I had grown used to facing it all on my own. Raising four children without any support was overwhelming; I had never married, and every responsibility fell on me. Paying school fees was one of my biggest burdens—I often had to sell my livestock, organize small fundraisers, or rely on farming to scrape together enough. When I received the cash transfer, I used $80 to pay for their fees, finally easing that load. Knowing my children could continue their education without interruption gave me a deep sense of relief and hope.With another $60, I bought a bed and mattress, something I’d needed for so long. Before this, I had been sleeping on a broken bed with no mattress, which made for long, uncomfortable nights. Having a proper bed to sleep on has changed my nights completely, and I finally wake up rested and ready for the day. It’s a simple thing, but for me, it’s been a huge improvement. I’m grateful for this small comfort, which has made such a big difference in my life.Lastly, I spent $40 on food. I used to rely on casual jobs to feed my family, but work was never guaranteed. My usual place to burn charcoal, a source of income for us, was no longer available after the lake submerged the trees. With the cash transfer, I could buy enough food to keep my family going without the constant worry of where our next meal would come from. This support has truly changed our lives, giving us stability and a chance to focus on other things besides daily survival."

"I am a widow with five children, and we depend on the support of my eldest son, who does casual jobs to help us get by. When I received the last three transfers from GiveDirectly, I decided first to address a long-standing personal need. I purchased a mattress for $45, as I had been sleeping on a sisal-roped bed for years, which left me waking up exhausted and sore every morning. This new mattress has brought me so much comfort; now I wake up refreshed and ready to face the day with more energy. It feels like a great relief after years of discomfort, and I am truly grateful for this change. After securing the mattress, I focused on my children's education. I spent $26 on their school fees because education is essential for a brighter future. I also wanted to plan ahead, so I saved $20 in a merry-go-round group, ensuring I had something set aside for future needs or emergencies. Lastly, I used $26 for food, ensuring my family had enough to eat. These transfers have not only provided immediate relief but have also allowed me to plan for a more secure and comfortable future for my family."

"The biggest difference in my life since receiving $180 from GiveDirectly has been the comfort and relief it brought during a tough time. Being unwell and unable to support my family was difficult, but this money allowed me to provide food for my family and bring comfort into our home. With $45, I bought food, which ensured we all had enough to eat and helped us stay healthy and energized. I also bought essential furniture, including a bed, mattress, and plastic chairs, which not only improved our home but gave me a comfortable place to rest and recover. This comfort has helped me heal faster, and I feel stronger each day. I’m deeply thankful to GiveDirectly for bringing this positive change into our lives."

"Upon receiving $450 from GiveDirectly, I felt happy and grateful, seeing it as a chance to address my most pressing needs. I have two children—one daughter in secondary school and a son in university. Covering their school fees has been a heavy burden, and I often rely on their older siblings for help, though they don’t have stable jobs either. So, I used $310 to pay for their school fees, which has brought me a huge relief, as I no longer feel the stress and pressure of unpaid fees. With that settled, I used $80 to buy two beds—one for my daughter and one for myself. Previously, we only had mattresses and were sleeping on the floor, but now we sleep comfortably, and it has also improved our privacy at home. Finally, I spent the remaining amount on food to meet our immediate needs, as it’s a constant struggle to provide food, often relying on casual labor to get by. This support from GiveDirectly has made a tremendous difference in easing my worries and improving our quality of life."

"Upon receiving the $200 from GiveDirectly, my husband and I sat down to carefully plan how best to use the money. We decided to focus this first transfer primarily on our children’s well-being. First, I used $90 to buy new clothing for everyone in the family. This has brought so much joy to our home – my children are happier, and they feel supported and cared for. Next, we spent $50 to buy a new mattress for one of my sons, who had been sleeping on a torn, old mattress. This change has significantly improved his sleep quality and well-being, giving him better rest and comfort each night. Finally, we decided to use $50 to buy a goat. This goat holds special meaning for us as a reminder of GiveDirectly’s support. It also serves as a sustainable food source by providing milk and, as it multiplies, could generate future income for our family."

"The biggest difference in my life after receiving the transfer is that my children can now sleep comfortably on a mattress. Before, it was a constant worry for me, knowing they were sleeping on a hard wooden bed with no mattress, which made their nights uncomfortable. While I was able to manage other basic needs, the mattress was something I couldn’t afford, and it caused me a lot of stress. Now, seeing my children happy and resting well at night brings me great relief. They wake up refreshed, and I feel peace knowing they have something comfortable to sleep on. This change has made our home feel much warmer and more complete, and I am grateful every day for this simple yet essential improvement."

"The biggest differences since receiving cash from GiveDirectly have been in my comfort, independence, and security. Firstly, having a comfortable bed and mattress has made a world of difference. Before, I was sleeping on an uncomfortable makeshift bed, but now I look forward to bedtime each night, knowing I’ll wake up feeling happy and well-rested. This simple change has improved my overall well-being and mood each day. Secondly, having enough food at home has given me a sense of independence. As an elderly person, it’s difficult for me to go out and earn money. Now, I don’t have to rely as heavily on my children for food, which has brought me peace of mind. Lastly, strengthening my fence has enhanced the security of my home and my small poultry. I now feel safer, knowing my chickens are protected and that my home is secure. Thanks to GiveDirectly, I am happier, more self-reliant, and feel safer each day."

"Recently, I received $450 from GiveDirectly, and I thanked God for this support. I used $160 to improve my bedding. Before, I used to sleep on the floor with makeshift bedding that was very uncomfortable. With this money, I bought a bed and a comfortable mattress, which has transformed my nights—I now sleep well and wake up feeling well-rested. This change has greatly improved my overall well-being. I spent $110 to buy two goats because I want something that will continue to generate income even after the program ends. Goats are ideal for this, as they multiply and do very well in our hot climate. I also used $68 to buy a comfortable sofa set to improve my living space, so now I have a nice place for visitors to sit. Finally, I used the rest of the money to buy food, ensuring I stay well-fed and energized while caring for my livestock."

"When I received $450 from GiveDirectly, I felt overjoyed—it truly marked a new beginning for me and my family. Currently, we live in an old Manyatta, which is not only too small for my three children and me but also unsafe, especially with the constant threat of flooding. With this money, I used $84 to buy iron sheets to start building a new home. I want to create a space that is large enough for us and, most importantly, one that will keep us safe, even during floods. I also used $200 to help pay a significant hospital bill for my husband’s brother, who was very sick. This support from GiveDirectly was a huge relief, as it lifted a heavy burden from our family. I spent $30 to buy a mattress, something we didn’t have before. This simple addition has brought so much comfort and improved our well-being. Finally, I used the rest of the money to ensure we had enough food, addressing our immediate needs and giving us a sense of security. Thanks to this support, I feel hopeful for a safer, healthier future for my family."