"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."

"After receiving $200 from GiveDirectly, I had already planned how to use the money to improve my life and my family's. My son was about to join university, but I hadn’t cleared his secondary school fees. This made it hard for him to get his secondary school certificate, which is needed to enroll in university. I used $100 to clear the fees, and now my son has started his first year of university, which makes me very proud. Next, I used $50 to lease one acre of land for pea farming. The crop is almost ready for harvest, and prices are good in the market. I plan to use the money from the harvest to pay school fees and buy a cow. I also used $50 to repair my kitchen and the floor of my house. The recent floods had left the floor muddy, and I had trouble cooking during the rainy season. Now, with my kitchen improved, I no longer worry when it rains. As a single mother, life can be tough, but thanks to GiveDirectly, I was able to plan and meet my most urgent needs."

"I was home with my children when I unexpectedly received $200 from GiveDirectly. The money took me by surprise because I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was overwhelmed with happiness, and the first thought that came to my mind was how I could finally address the school fee burden that had been weighing heavily on me. The relief I felt was immense, knowing I could now care for this important need for my children’s education."

"Since I started receiving cash from GiveDirectly, my life has changed for the better. One of the biggest improvements is my ability to farm tomatoes. After a flood swept away my previous farm, I felt lost and uncertain about my future. However, the support from GiveDirectly helped me get back on my feet. With the cash, I was able to buy seeds and tools for tomato farming, which I plan to sell in the market. This has given me hope and a sense of purpose, knowing that I can provide for my family again."

"I was at a funeral when I received a notification that $200 had been sent to me from GiveDirectly. The mood instantly shifted from sorrowful to lively. My first thought was to rush home and tell my husband so we could start planning how to use the money."

"When I received $180 from GiveDirectly, I had just lost my brother. This support significantly changed my plans. I had wanted to build a kitchen to help my family during the rainy season, but I had to redirect all my funds toward my brother's burial. Thanks to the unconditional cash transfer, I was able to give my brother a send-off that I never thought possible. The money allowed me to take his body to the mortuary and cover the necessary burial expenses, ensuring he received the respect he deserved. Without this financial assistance, I would not have been able to afford these costs or provide him with a proper farewell. I am truly grateful for GiveDirectly's support during this difficult time."

"The biggest difference since I started receiving cash transfers from GiveDirectly is the improvement in my grandchild’s health. Before receiving the transfer from GiveDirectly, my grandchild was sick and I couldn’t afford the necessary medical care. The money I used for his treatment made all the difference, allowing him to recover and regain his health. Without that money, it would have been impossible for me to get him the help he needed. I am deeply thankful to God and GiveDirectly for enabling me to care for him, as health is the most important thing."

"Life took a turn when I received the cash transfer, which came at a crucial moment. My father had recently passed away, and my family wanted to attend his burial. Understanding the importance of their presence, I immediately sent my wife $100 to cover their transport expenses from Nairobi. Knowing they could be there to support me during this difficult time brought me a sense of relief and comfort. With the remaining $100, I turned my focus to harvesting the maize from my three acres of land. This year had been particularly challenging, as floods had swept away two acres of my farm, leaving me with only a fraction of what I originally had. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I managed to harvest 3,556 kilograms of maize, which was beyond my expectations. I plan to sell the maize at 108 Ksh per kilogram, which will provide us with some much-needed income. As a father of nine, the cash transfer has made a significant difference in our lives. My wife, a police officer, and I often rely on her salary combined with my farming income to support our family. Although we faced immense challenges this year, I thank God for the harvest I was able to achieve, especially when so many in our village lost everything. The cash transfer not only helped me during a time of grief but also allowed me to secure our family's future."

"I was at home, relaxing in the shade of my house and feeling unwell when I heard my phone ring. When I checked, I saw it was an M-Pesa message confirming that I had received exactly $200. My heart raced with happiness! Just then, my son arrived and asked if I had received the money. I told him I had, but he said he had not received his money, as he was also expecting a payment from GiveDirectly. However, as we spoke, his phone rang too, confirming that he had received his share as well. We all shouted with joy, overwhelmed by our good fortune. The first thought that crossed my mind was to repair the door of my house, as we had previously worked on the repairs but didn’t have a door because the old one had been destroyed by ants."

"That day felt like a fresh start for me, filled with hope and possibilities. I was determined to make the most of my unconditional cash transfer. I began by spending $55 to purchase a gas cylinder, which would make cooking so much easier and more efficient. Cooking with firewood had become a challenge, especially during the rainy season when collecting wood was tough. Having a gas cylinder meant I could prepare meals quickly and comfortably without the hassle of gathering firewood.Furthermore, I wanted to give back to my brother, who had supported me during my studies. I paid $50 for my nephew's secondary school fees, helping my brother with his expenses. It felt good to support family, especially knowing how much he had helped me in the past. As I am not married and live alone, buying food wasn’t too difficult. I allocated $50 to stock my house with food, using my boda boda to transport it home. On good days, I could earn between $8 and $10 from my boda boda, making it easier to provide for myself.Finally, I used the remaining $25 to buy some new clothes for myself. While I had a few outfits, I wanted to feel more comfortable and confident in my appearance. It was a small but meaningful investment in myself, and it made me feel good to have something fresh to wear. Overall, this cash transfer changed my life, allowing me to take care of my needs and support my family."