"For eight years, I felt completely helpless as a mother, watching my daughter unhappy. She couldn’t collect her secondary school certificate because of $150 in unpaid school fees, and it pained me deeply to see her miss out on both college and job opportunities that required that certificate. I tried everything I could. I engaged in crop production to raise the money, but it only led me deeper into debt as I kept losing crops to drought. This year, when the rains finally came, I had a glimmer of hope, but then the floods hit, wiping out all my maize crops on an acre of land. I truly believe God answered my prayers through GiveDirectly. When I received my first transfer, I cleared my daughter’s arrears, and now she has her certificate and is happy. And because of that, I am finally at peace. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for restoring hope in my home."

"Sleeping on a tiny, uncomfortable bed that was barely holding together, propped up by a stone with my wife for three years was a constant struggle. It was so small that we had to coordinate every time we wanted to turn over, and our old mattress was completely worn out. We dreamed of buying a new bed and mattress, but with our unreliable farming income from droughts and floods, plus our son’s school fees, it seemed impossible. When I received my first transfer from GiveDirectly, I made buying a new bed and mattress my top priority, and now we sleep comfortably every night. This change has made a huge difference in our lives. I used to wake up at 5 am because I couldn’t sleep well, but now I can sleep until 7 am, thanks to the comfort of our new bed and mattress. Thank you, GiveDirectly!"

"I am a widow, and my life largely depends on my son, who works as a casual laborer whenever he finds a job. The drought we are experiencing has made hunger a constant threat in our lives, and it has been challenging to make ends meet. With the last three transfers I received, I had to prioritize the most pressing needs of my family. I used a bigger portion of the money, amounting to $72, to buy food. This helped us manage our daily sustenance, ensuring we at least had enough to eat. The relentless drought has pushed food prices up, and securing basic meals for myself and my family has become a top concern. In addition to addressing our immediate hunger, I also used $30 to assist my grandchildren by paying part of their school fees. Their parents were facing financial difficulties and they could not cover the costs themselves. Education is invaluable to me, and I could not bear to see my grandchildren miss out on their learning opportunities just because of the hardships we are facing. Balancing between survival and giving my grandchildren a chance at education is never easy, but it’s something I will always strive to do, no matter how little I have."

"I am a widow taking care of my four grandchildren, who are all orphans. Life has been challenging since I lost my husband, and the responsibility of raising my grandchildren has fallen solely on me. I used to rely on my son for support, but he is now struggling to make ends meet, working casual jobs and dealing with chest problems that make it difficult for him to provide for his own family. That’s why the transfers I receive have become my lifeline. With the most recent transfer, I prioritized my grandchildren's education, using $30 to pay their school fees. Their education means everything to me, as it gives them a chance at a better future. Ensuring that they stay in school is my priority. With the remaining $38 from the transfer, I purchased food for the family. Feeding four growing children is not easy, and every little bit helps to put something on the table. It was a relief to see their smiles as we shared our meals, knowing that we would not have to worry about where the next one was coming from, at least for a while. Though times are tough, I am grateful for the support the transfers provide, as they allow me to fulfill my duty as a grandmother and caretaker. My heart feels lighter knowing my grandchildren are not only fed but also continuing their education, which gives me hope for their future."

"When we received the unconditional cash transfer, our first thought was to build a pit latrine, something we had been needing for a long time. With the $140 we received, we bought 4 iron sheets, posts, cement, wire mesh, nails, and frames, intending to start the construction. However, when we calculated the remaining costs for ballast and labor, we realized that we didn't have enough money to complete the project. So, we decided to change plans. We used the 4 iron sheets to improve a part of our house that didn't look good. The house was once a small kiosk, and its outward appearance was something we had wanted to fix for a while. With the rest of the money, we purchased tomato seeds, which was a timely investment since we had already ploughed the farm. Growing vegetables wasn’t an option because the market was flooded, but tomatoes are different. They grow fast and sell well, so we’re hopeful. Once harvested, the income from selling the tomatoes will help us pay for my daughter's school fees. She's in Grade 6 now and will be joining Junior High next year, so the money will be essential to cover her education costs."

"A few years ago, my house collapsed, and since then, my children and I have been living in my co-wife's house. During the day, we have no choice but to cook outside, and in the evenings, we simply go inside to sleep. This situation has been very distressing for me, especially since I lack a stable source of income apart from the transfers I receive. In the coming year, I am determined to build a house for myself. I have already ordered some building poles and am waiting for their arrival. Additionally, I plan to allocate a portion of my future transfers to continue building this house until it is complete. Once my home is finished, I will feel immense relief and happiness knowing that my children and I will have our own space instead of relying on my co-wife's hospitality. Moreover, I intend to use another portion of my future transfers to pay for my children's school fees, ensuring they receive the education they deserve for a better future. I am fully committed to achieving these goals of building a house and educating my children, and I am hopeful that all of this will come to fruition thanks to the support from GiveDirectly."

"I was at home with my children when I received a message from GiveDirectly confirming that I had received $200. I was so happy because I was broke and facing many challenges. My first thought was to use the money to pay the remaining school fees so that my child, who is joining the university, can get their secondary school certificate. This certificate is a requirement when enrolling in a university."

"When I received $200 from GiveDirectly, I had already planned how to use it. I have two children in secondary school, and I spent $120 on their school fees. I received the money just as the school term was starting, which allowed them to go to school without any delay and continue their education without interruption. With that taken care of, I had always wanted plastic chairs so my visitors could have somewhere to sit. I spent $35 to buy four plastic chairs, and now I no longer worry about where my guests will sit. I used the remaining $30 to buy grains to sustain my family while we waited for the harvesting season. This has ensured we have enough to eat, even before the harvest. I am happy and thankful for this support, which has made a real difference in my family's life."

"Upon receiving $200 from GiveDirectly, I was eager to stick to my planned use for the money. I allocated $170 to start tomato farming, which had been my goal. This amount covered land preparation, irrigation costs, and materials for fencing my farm. Thanks to GiveDirectly, I was able to begin tomato farming for the first time in my life because I finally had the capital to do it. After the recent flood destroyed my maize crop, leaving me with no harvest, this opportunity meant a lot to me. Now, my tomato farm is thriving, and I plan to use the proceeds to improve my standard of living, pay my child's school fees, and ensure the sustainability of this farming venture. I used the remaining money to buy food for my family so that while I am farming, they are well-fed and energized."

"Before receiving the cash transfer, I struggled a lot to pay for my nephew's school fees. My brother, who is now Vincent's father, had previously paid for my fees while I was studying, so I wanted to help him in return. However, the fees were huge for me, and even though my boda boda business was doing well, I couldn't save anything because I was focused on paying the fees. Now, after receiving the money, I feel so happy and thankful to GiveDirectly. I am stress-free because I no longer have any school fee arrears. I can finally start saving money from my boda boda business, which is a great relief for me."