"The first challenge we are facing is not having acces to capital to start a business , we wanted to start a business of raising livestocks and I once approached Sacco ( Saving and Credit Cooperative) to get a loan of $100 but we didn’t get a chance to receive it because they told us that they didn't have enough funds for every applicant and thus our project failed to be implemented. We don't have enough land to cultivate because we have to rent from others to be able to produce what to eat and we are not able to get money to buy inorganic fertiliser and we currently don't have enough livestocks to give us organic fertiliser and this affects our crop productions."

"The largest purchase made with GiveDirectly funds was a one-acre plot of land. I had wished for years to own my own property, and the funds allowed me to do so. Even providing food for our two children and ourselves can be difficult with my husband, who is a local medicine man. As a result, a portion of the funds were also used to stock up on food. My husband and I both work from home, with me sewing men's and women's clothing. My products are reasonably priced; for example, a pair of men's pants costs $3.5 and a dress costs between $2.5 and $4.5, so the prices are reasonable. A portion of the GiveDirectly transfers also went towards the payment of our children's school fees at Katoseni Primary. We pay $10 in fees for our eldest, who is in Grade four , and $10 for our youngest, who is in PP2. The funds arrived at a time when even the maize we normally grow had failed, making everything more expensive everywhere, and it was a great relief to have a financial cushion, thanks to GiveDirectly."

"My goal for this year is to keep up with the education of every one of my children, especially the secondary schoolers because it still falls heavily on my shoulders to do so while still juggling the primary students. Since I used a portion of my transfer to grow my business, I am hoping and praying that it will succeed so I can pay for their school. I shall also rely on the crops from my farm to some extent. Harvest them and sell them to cover their educational expenses as well as their basic requirements for food and other items."

"Now that I am done paying dowry and we are living with a partner, I am content with the choice I made, which was made possible by the transfers. I had hoped to save enough money this year to finally enrol in a driving school, which would eventually aid in my employment. In order to obtain financial gain, I also hoped to invest a portion of the transfers in the purchase of a few goats and chickens. Last but not least, given that it can be difficult at times, I will most definitely look into nutrition."

"I am particularly looking forward to this year because, as I have previously indicated, I am hopeful that the money I keep receiving will allow me to eventually save enough to enter college. Consequently, that will be my main objective with the money I will receive each month for the rest of the year. Aside from that, because my parents occasionally have financial difficulties, I also plan to utilize the funds to support my siblings' further education. Last but not least, I also intend to use this money to buy food for my family and me."

"Education is the key to life. As a parent, I often wish the best for my children especially now that I dropped out of grade 8 for lack of school fees. I never wish my children to be in the same shoes as I am, and that is why I strive hard to raise their school fees. Unfortunately, this is a struggle as my family of 6 depends solely on farming which is not productive as such for a living. Since I can hardly raise their school fees, the school administration sends them out of school hence missing out on some lessons. It saddens me that this negatively affects their performance as they lag in their grades."

"In September last year, there was a conflict within our extended family which resulted in disagreement among us. This forced me to secure a land away from home to shift and start a life with my wife. Although the cost of securing the 2 acres was $500 only due to the value being low, I was able to pay $100 as a deposit. The pain at the moment is that the landowner needs to be cleared the balance but I am yet to pay him due to financial instability. This has stressed me a lot because I am always worried about being moved away from this land. In addition, I have not been able to construct a decent house to spare us from the night's chilliness, a situation which has also robbed away my joy. I, therefore, consider the financial crisis being my biggest challenge at the moment."

"After the death of my husband who passed on four years ago. I was left to fend for my seven children single-handedly. I depend on farming in earning a livelihood. I had started building a decent house for my family but it was incomplete due to financial constraints, therefore I was forced to leave it pending. Upon receiving my transfer, I opted to finish constructing my house where I used $450. Lastly, I used the remaining amount on foodstuffs. I am so happy and contented that finally, I was able to complete my house within a short period."

"I went home to relax after a long day of working in the hot sun at the farm. After finishing my lunch, I heard my phone ring and discovered that I had received money from GiveDirectly. I was overjoyed and overjoyed. Later that evening, I told my husband the good news, and he was equally grateful to God for the wonderful gift that came our way when we least expected it. We then began to plan how we would use our transfer."

"The main difference is that we were able to improve our living conditions. This is because we were able to construct a two-bedroom house with a veranda. Due to financial constraints, I was unable to raise funds for the construction previously due to school fee obligations. I am grateful for the great accomplishments I have attained."