"My daughter finished high school eight years ago, but she had never picked up her KCSE certificate because we owed $150 in school fees. We had reduced the debt from $180 to $150, but clearing the arrears was challenging since I rely on crop farming, which can be unreliable during the dry season when water is scarce. For many years, we lost our crops, leading to debt accumulation because I had to take loans to cover production costs. This year seemed promising with the rains, and I planted maize on my half-acre land, but unfortunately, I lost all the crops to floods. When I received my first GiveDirectly transfer, it restored my hope, and I decided to pay off the $150 debt to finally get my daughter her certificate. For eight years, her dream was shattered; she couldn't join college or take advantage of other opportunities that required a secondary school certificate, which was heartbreaking for me as a mom. Seeing her receive that certificate brought her so much joy, and she is now planning to look for job opportunities, although I am unsure if she still wants to join college after such a long delay. I also spent $30 on food, especially maize, since we hadn’t harvested anything. Lastly, I took the remaining amount to church to thank God for this blessing, as I had been praying for so long; just when I thought my prayers wouldn’t be answered, God came through for us through GiveDirectly."

"I was sitting at home when my wife came running. She told me that people had started receiving money from GiveDirectly. I had heard a text earlier but had not checked. Immediately, I pulled out my phone and confirmed I had received the cash! Overwhelmed with joy, we rushed to join some neighbors who were gathered around one of the GiveDirectly officers who was in the village, celebrating and taking videos of the moment. After the celebrations, my wife and I sat down and carefully planned how to use the money to address our needs. Thank you, GiveDirectly!"

"For many years, I had dreamed of moving away from the casual jobs my husband and I had relied on for over ten years. We always wanted to engage in crop farming, but financial constraints and our limited income kept that dream out of reach. Earlier this year, after saving for some time, we finally tried crop farming. We planted maize on an acre of land, hoping it would bring us some relief. However, things didn’t go as planned. Heavy floods destroyed all our maize, leaving us devastated. Just as we were thinking of giving up, GiveDirectly came to enroll us, restoring our hope. We decided to give farming another try. As I waited for the first transfer, I began preparing the land. I plowed and made ridges, determined to succeed this time. When I received the money, I didn’t waste any time. I bought tomato seedlings worth $180 from Naivasha, where I knew I could get the best quality, and spent an additional $10 on transport costs. It was exciting to start planting again, and my entire household, including my four boys, my husband, and even my husband’s brother, helped with the planting to cut down on costs. Managing the crops has not been easy. I have had to sell some of my goats to cover the costs of irrigation, herbicides, and pesticides. Despite the challenges, my crops are now doing well, and we expect to harvest in less than two months. Additionally, we have faced difficulties with food, especially after losing our maize crop to the floods. However, with the remaining $10 from the transfer, I bought essential food items like sugar, maize flour, and other necessities to sustain us. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for making this possible."

"When I received the cash transfer, the first thing I did was buy four iron sheets for $48. My house had sunk during the floods, and I’ve been wanting to start building a new one ever since. The excitement I felt in taking the first step toward having a house of my own was immense, especially because the one I currently live in belongs to my grandmother. This was my way of slowly but surely rebuilding our home and future. I used another $120 from the transfer to restock my small shop. I realized that having a steady source of income would be critical while building the house. The shop will help cover our daily food expenses, which means I can channel future funds—especially the second transfer—toward the construction. Having the shop stable is essential, and it gives me peace of mind knowing I won’t have to rely solely on cash transfers for food and basic needs. With the remainder of the money, I bought household food items to ensure we had enough to eat and remained food secure. It was important to me that while focusing on long-term goals like the house, my family’s immediate needs were taken care of. Thanks to the cash transfer, I now feel more prepared to face the challenges ahead."

"In the upcoming year and beyond, I aspire to start a livestock farming venture focusing on goat keeping. This is to ensure a stable source of income and secure my future. Goats are perfect for my plans because they are resilient and can thrive in the harsh climate of our area. Unlike cows, which would struggle in such conditions, goats are hardy, affordable to buy, and easy to maintain, making them an ideal choice for someone like me who wants to start small but dream big. To make this vision a reality, I plan to save $10 monthly, gradually building enough funds to buy my first few goats. With patience, hard work, and dedication, I envision this venture growing into something significant that will provide for my family and give me peace of mind about the future."

"In the approaching year, I am committed to renovating my house, which has become old and unsafe, especially during the rainy and windy seasons. I want to create a home that is not only sturdy but also a place where I can feel comfortable and secure. To bring this dream to life, I have decided to save $20 every month. It may be a small amount, but with consistency and determination, it will grow into something significant over time. My goal is to make my home a warm and welcoming space, one that can safely shelter me and serve as a lasting symbol of my dedication and hard work."

"In the coming year and beyond, I want to invest in goats. This dream fills me with hope and determination. I already have three sheep, and I believe adding goats will be a great step towards building a small but meaningful source of income. I envision growing a herd that not only brings financial security but also teaches my grandchildren the value of hard work and dedication. To make this dream a reality, I will save $10 monthly."

"In the forthcoming year and beyond, my aim is to concentrate on the education of my grandchildren. I want to guide them every step of the way so that they can become responsible and independent individuals. I aim to be their source of encouragement, showing them that with hard work and determination, they can achieve anything they set their minds to. I will create a nurturing environment where they feel supported, whether they are struggling with schoolwork or celebrating their accomplishments. I want them to grow up knowing that education is a powerful tool that will open countless doors for them, and I am committed to being their biggest cheerleader on this journey."

"In the coming year and beyond, I aim to expand my livestock investment by purchasing more goats. Currently, I have eleven goats, and I view them as a valuable asset that can help me secure a brighter future. My objective is to grow my herd and transform this small venture into something larger and more profitable. To accomplish this, I plan to set aside at least $10 every month. While it may seem like a small amount, I believe that with patience and determination, it will accumulate and make a significant difference. I am dedicated to working hard, saving diligently, and caring for my goats to realize my vision."

"It was on the 14th, and I had gone about my daily duties doing casual labor. On my way back, some villagers asked if I had received the money from GiveDirectly. I hadn't, so I told them no, explaining that I had left my phone at home with my husband. As soon as I got back, my husband greeted me with a huge smile and told me the good news—we had received the money! I was overwhelmed with joy and couldn’t hide it. We had already made a plan to use the money to build a pit latrine, something we desperately needed but hadn’t been able to afford."