"Before receiving the cash transfer, my wife and I mostly depended on our children for everything. They would help us with food and other needs since we are old and unable to work. Although they never complained, I often felt like a burden, especially when it came to daily expenses like food. We lived comfortably, but I always wished I could contribute more to ease their load.After receiving the transfer, everything changed. I was able to purchase two goats, which are now my form of savings. Having these goats has given me a sense of financial security that I didn’t have before. I know that when they multiply, I can sell them for any unexpected expenses, instead of always asking my children for help. The extra money allowed me to buy enough food to last us for a while, lifting that burden off my children for the time being.Now, I feel more independent and capable of helping my family. Even though my children continue to support me, I’m happy that I could do something to take care of my wife and myself. The goats are an investment for our future, and the food has brought us comfort. Thanks to this transfer, I feel like I’m contributing to my family's well-being, and it has brought a sense of pride and relief into my life."

"Before receiving the money from GiveDirectly, life was extremely stressful for me. My son, who has been disabled for the past six years, needed regular hospital checkups, but I often didn’t have the money to take him. The stress of seeing him suffer at home without the care he needed was overwhelming. I depended on fundraising to pay for his medical expenses, but it was never guaranteed that I would have enough. This uncertainty made life very difficult for my family and me. After receiving the transfer, I was able to immediately take my son to Kijabe Hospital with the $100 I set aside for his checkups. It brought me so much relief to finally afford his treatment without worrying about finding the money. Additionally, the transfer allowed me to harvest 10 bags of maize from my farm, which gave us food and some financial security. Now, I am planning to focus more on farming to ensure I can continue paying for his hospital bills without relying on others. Thanks to GiveDirectly, my life has changed significantly, and I feel hopeful that I can better support my family moving forward."

"When I received my unconditional cash transfer, it was a great relief for me and my family. I used $15,000 to pay laborers and hire a tractor for transportation, which helped me harvest 33 bags of maize. As a father of nine children, with some in university and others in secondary school, I felt the pressure to provide for their education. My wife is not working because she is taking care of my elderly mother, so I am the sole breadwinner. Life was tough, but this transfer changed everything for us.With the remaining money, I spent $3,000 on clothing and $2,000 on food. Before, we struggled to afford good clothes, but now we can finally buy what we need to look presentable. It was important for us to feel good and shine, especially since my children are in school and need to look their best. Having enough food to eat has also brought joy to our household.Thanks to this support, our lives have improved significantly. I no longer have to rely solely on charcoal burning for income, and I can focus more on my family's needs. We are very happy now, and I am grateful for the help that allowed us to thrive. This transfer has truly made a difference in our lives."

"When I received my unconditional cash transfer, it felt like a new beginning for my family. With the funds in hand, I carefully planned how to use the money to make the biggest impact. I decided to invest in livestock by purchasing four sheep for $205, which would help provide for my children, especially when it came to covering school fees. I also allocated $80 to my maize harvest, ensuring we had enough food to sustain us. When I harvested the maize, I was able to collect 25 bags, which was enough to feed our family and also helped pay for my children's school fees. Before this transfer, I often had to borrow money to harvest maize. Additionally, I went to town to buy five chickens for $20. These chickens will supply us with fresh eggs, but I can also sell them to get additional income when necessary. I also used part of the funds to buy a new sofa set for $50, replacing our old, worn-out furniture. My children had been eagerly waiting for new clothes since I had promised them that when I received the second transfer, I would buy them new clothes. I set aside another $50 for that. Seeing their excitement brought me immense joy and fulfillment.Finally, I purchased cement for $10 to repair the cracks in our house. With the remaining money, I stocked up on food for our family. I used to rely on charcoal burning and selling vegetables to get by. Now, I feel a sense of stability and hope for the future, knowing that these investments will support my family and provide a better life for us all."

"GiveDirectly has done a great job of educating us about their program and its goals. Their genuine desire to improve our lives and uplift our entire village is clear. The guidance they provided was helpful, and the thoughtful questions they asked about our plans for the funds showed their commitment to understanding our specific needs. This respectful approach made us feel valued and inspired us to take meaningful steps to improve our lives. In my village, I haven't heard anyone express negative opinions about the program; instead, the feedback has been very positive.As for areas of improvement, I honestly haven’t found any major concerns. The whole process ran smoothly, and everything was managed well."

"When I received my unconditional cash transfer, it felt like a turning point for my family. With $200, I was able to harvest the maize from my farm. I hired laborers to help with the work and rented a lorry to transport the maize to the board where it can be processed and sold. We had planted Kenya seed maize, known for its quality, so this was an important investment for us. Before receiving this support, I struggled to pay for school fees and basic needs for my ten children, often relying on charcoal burning and livestock sales when necessary. After using part of the funds for the harvest, I allocated another $200 to pay for my children’s school fees. Education is vital for their future, and I wanted to ensure they didn’t miss out due to financial struggles. With so many children, it can be challenging to keep up with all the expenses, but I was determined to provide them with the opportunities they deserve. My livestock, including cows and goats, usually serve as a backup source of income, but I only sell them when absolutely necessary. With the remaining $50, I purchased food for my family since the maize harvest takes time to process. This cash transfer has truly changed our lives. I feel relieved knowing my children are in school and that we have enough food for now. I’m hopeful for the future, especially with the upcoming payout from the maize we expect in three months, which will help us continue building a better life for our family. I am grateful for this support."

"GiveDirectly has done an excellent job by treating everyone in our village with respect and fairness. We appreciate that you do not discriminate and that your support reaches all members of the community, not just the poorest. This inclusive approach makes your project feel special, and we are very grateful for it. From my experience, everything was handled well, and I didn’t see anything negative in how the program was run.However, there were some people who were left out and not enrolled in the program, and we are unsure why that happened. It would be helpful if there could be clearer communication about the enrollment process to ensure that everyone who needs help has the opportunity to receive it. Overall, we are very happy with GiveDirectly's work and hope to see even more improvements in the future."

"In the coming year, I want to grow my grocery business and save more money. I currently earn $5 a day, which covers our basic needs, but I need to save more. My goal is to buy another plot of land so that when my children grow up, they will have a place to live and something to inherit. Owning more land will give us security in the future. I also want to make sure my children have a better life than we did, and I’m saving for their education. Buying land now will help me create more opportunities for them in the future."

"In life, having essential skills is crucial for survival. I know that once I successfully complete driving classes and obtain my license, I will be able to secure a job, preferably driving trucks to transport goods. Currently, I am diligently saving $20 each month in our merry-go-round to enroll in a driving school, with the goal of gaining the expertise needed to operate large trucks. As a motorcycle rider and livestock keeper, I have five goats and chicken that I raise for future financial security. My plan is to let these animals breed, eventually selling them to fund the purchase of bulls and dairy cows. The bulls will help with land preparation, while the dairy cows will provide milk for both sale and personal use, such as making tea. The income generated will significantly improve my family's living standards. I also aspire to build a four-room house, as our current one-room home will soon be insufficient for my growing family. However, this project will come later, after I have successfully completed the initiatives I mentioned earlier."

"In the coming year and beyond, I plan to return to college to further my education. As a teacher by profession, I've already completed my Level One certification and now aim to pursue a Diploma, which offers greater benefits and will enhance my employment prospects in the education sector.Teaching has been my passion since primary school, which motivated me to enroll in a teaching college and earn my first certificate. To work toward my goal of returning to school, I’m saving a portion of my monthly income. While I haven't established a specific amount, these savings will help cover my college admission costs. I also hope to receive financial support from my spouse and parents. I am confident that once I complete the Diploma, I will secure stable employment with a reliable income, enabling me to support both my needs and those of my family. This will make it easier for me to pay for my children's education and provide for their basic needs. Currently, I teach part-time at a nearby school, earning a modest income to support my family."