"I was sitting at home when I heard my phone beep with a message notification. Since I don’t know how to read, I quickly called my daughter, who helps me with such things, and asked her to check it for me. She looked at the screen and then excitedly told me it was the transfer from GiveDirectly. I could hardly contain my joy when I heard that! Finally, I knew that my plans to buy a goat and a new mattress would come true. It felt like a huge weight was lifted, and I couldn't wait to make those purchases for our home."

"With my first transfer, I prioritized buying food for us, as my maize was still unripe and we had to purchase our meals. I bought 45 kg of maize for $30 to sustain us, and I also bought other food items, such as milk and beans, for $50. Additionally, during the floods, water came into our house. We had to run for our lives. When we returned after temporarily relocating, everything was ruined. My children were left without a mattress, a bed, or enough clothes, as theirs were ruined by the floods. It pained me as a mother to see them sleeping on rugs on the floor and wearing almost the same pair of clothes. I couldn’t do anything about it since I had limited income; all I relied on were casual jobs, which earned me $3 a day, and it was not consistent. I purchased a mattress, a bed, and clothes for my children, which cost $40, $30, and $50, respectively with the remaining money. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for the support!"

"I had been planning to buy a bed and mattress after receiving my payout from Kenya Seed Company for the maize I managed to harvest. My nights had been a struggle, sleeping uncomfortably on a worn-out tarpaulin and rags, and my bed was old and faulty. I knew I had to be patient for four months to get my payout, so my struggles would have continued until December. But lucky enough, the GiveDirectly cash arrived just in time, and I was able to buy the bed and mattress without waiting. Now, I sleep comfortably, and my nights are finally restful."

"It was just after lunch, and I heard my phone buzz with a message. At first, I didn’t bother to check it, thinking it was just another one of those usual texts from Safaricom. After about 30 minutes, curiosity got the best of me, and I decided to look at my phone. To my surprise, I saw that I had received $200 from GiveDirectly! I couldn’t believe it, so I rushed over to my neighbor’s house to see if she had received hers too. When she said yes, we both started laughing with joy. Right away, I began thinking of how I could finally furnish my house with a proper cupboard, a comfortable bed, and a good mattress. It felt like a blessing had just arrived."

"One morning, my son came to me with exciting news. He told me that the GiveDirectly money had arrived, and I was overjoyed. I had no idea the money had come because he was the one with the phone. I instantly felt a wave of relief and happiness. For a long time, I had been sleeping on a mattress on the ground, and each morning, I would wake up feeling tired and in pain because of my back. The thought of finally being able to buy a bed brought me so much hope. I knew this money would change my life and ease my daily struggles."

"The biggest difference since I started receiving cash transfers from GiveDirectly has been in education and bedding. Before these transfers, I was unable to support my grandchild’s education, even though he stays with me during holidays. Now, my heart is filled with happiness knowing that I have been able to contribute to his schooling. Since replacing the makeshift bedding with a comfortable bed and mattress, my nights have completely changed. I now sleep with dignity, and it has greatly improved my overall well-being. The support from GiveDirectly has truly made a significant impact on my life."

"I live alone, and one evening my neighbor came to inform me that GiveDirectly had sent money. Since I am old and can't read, I had to wait for my assigned helper. After a week, when he finally came, he confirmed that GiveDirectly had indeed sent the transfer. I was so happy and filled with gratitude because this support meant so much to me. The first thought that came to my mind was to use the money to buy a bed and a mattress, something I really needed. I felt a great sense of relief, knowing that I could now improve my comfort and rest better."

"When I received $200 from GiveDirectly, I was filled with happiness, knowing it was time to make changes in my life. At that time, floods had just occurred, and one of my houses was swept away, leaving me with only an old traditional Manyatta. With five children, this house wasn’t enough for us, so I decided to use $110 to buy building materials to build a new house. I was able to add some money from my pocket, and now I have a house that is spacious enough for my family. After completing the house, I spent $47 to buy a mattress since I didn’t have one before. This has greatly improved my sleep and overall health. As a single mother, providing for my family is challenging, especially without a permanent job. I rely on temporary, odd jobs to support us. With part of the money, I paid $30 in school fees for one of my children in secondary school. This has allowed her to stay in school, something she used to miss often because I couldn’t always afford the fees. Lastly, I used $12 to buy food, making sure my children had enough to eat. This support has been a big relief for us during these difficult times."

"The biggest change in my daily life is that my children now have a comfortable place to sleep since I was able to buy a bed and mattress. Before, we used to sleep on the floor, which was hard. I also managed to stock up on food, so now we can have at least two meals a day. Before this, we could only afford to eat once a day. I am forever grateful for the support that has brought smiles in our faces."

"When I received $180 from GiveDirectly, I felt deeply grateful to God. This money was a chance for me to rebuild my life, especially after being displaced by floods. I used $50 to buy iron sheets, and I am planning to add more with future transfers to construct a house. Currently, my family is living in a temporary makeshift shelter, which puts us at risk of floods and diseases. I have a two-year-old child, and this motivates me to use the money wisely to ensure their safety and well-being. With $98, I purchased household items, including utensils, a table, plastic chairs, and a mattress. These items helped me recover from the floods, as all my previous belongings were swept away by the rushing waters. Now, I have essential items that make our daily life easier. Finally, I spent $32 on food for my family. This was crucial because I had no harvest due to the floods and no job to earn money for food. I am incredibly thankful to GiveDirectly for their support, which has made a significant difference in our lives."