""The evening I received my first transfer alert, I was sitting with one of my friends chatting when I heard others shouting about the money. And my phone was in the room, I immediately rushed to checked wether I too received the same message and upon seeing mine, I jumped up with the same shouting and excitement. The first thing that came to mind was my children's school fees. Because this is what I was struggling with.""

"Lack of employment opportunities in this village is really crippling. I used to work for a particular sisal plantation next to Mtwapa but lost the job when covid 19 started and the company was down sizing. I have since tried so many opportunities I could get around the village like working for a particular bamboo plantation here in the village, but most of them are just seasonal. Currently I have three children who are in high school each paying $450 per academic term. This is quite a lot of money, and I have only managed because of the support I get from my brothers-in -law who've been paying the biggest percentage. By just burning charcoal and selling firewood, I wouldn't have done it."

"Our main source of pain here in the village is getting a meaningful employment opportunity. I separated with my husband in the year 2020 and that marked the beginning of my struggles as a single mother with a special child. I two sons to take care of but the eldest one has a condition where he's not able to properly coordinate his body. This was the source of friction in my marriage and I knew we had to eventually part ways because my then husband wasn't ready to be part of this. The boy can't even lift a mug of porridge to his mouth, he should be getting some therapy sessions to improve but I'm not able to afford it. Since then I have tried my luck severally but nothing is coming forth, until I just decided to be burning charcoal and supplying to Kilifi town. I started this with $350 I got from table banking which I used to secure a motorcycle from a credit society at a deposit of $200. The rest of the money was spent on paying people to burn charcoal for me then my brother ferries using the motorcycle. But again I realized that the cost was extremely high that I couldn't get a good margin."

"I do not have any reliable sources of income at the moment. My husband is a motorcycle taxi rider at Kilifi town while I take care of our three children who're attending a local grade school right here in the village. I pay school fees totaling to $60 each academic term. Alongside that I also need around $50 monthly to be able to get family supplies like cooking oil, sugar, soaps among other things. My husband sends me around $10 weekly which isn't enough according to the needs of this family. I sometimes have to burn charcoal and sell to be able to supplement."

"My family of five consists of three children who are now enrolled in different schools. I am happy that I have been gaining a sizable amount when my two cows are lactating even since I do not currently have a steady employment that can generate a constant income. I invested $250 on a second cow when I got the second transfer, which significantly boosted the amount of milk we are currently getting. We can now sell at least five liters and perhaps eight liters per day, up from the three liters we were selling everyday, depending on the daily production. Additionally, I spent $100 on foodstuffs that we are currently eating, as well as $100 on clothes for my three children, my spouse, and a pair for myself. I am happy that each member of the family was able to get some new clothing. My wife had to save the remaining money throughout this time because she was not feeling well in order to pay her medical bill when she went for a checkup later."

"My youngest was just completing their final year of secondary and the funds from GiveDirectly were a welcome boost towards clearing all his fees arrears and keeping us in the black, ahead of his departure. 2 female goats were also added to our family as well as me starting a small grocery shop, right near our home. My farmer husband an I rarely have surplus income and with our other 5 children all grown up and living on their own,we focus mainly on fending for ourselves. Tilling the 3 acre land we own, we primarily grow maize and wheat, which we mill and store to keep us fed. GiveDirectly allowed us to start a new chapter in our lives, one who's pages we will enjoy writing."

"Being a salonist, it would be my biggest dream to expand my business by building my own space, where I wouldn't have to pay rent. Aside from that, I am hoping to add to my livestock, with some more goats, cows and possibly poultry as well, to supplement our income."

"Fulfilling recipients dreams! That's what I would say is GiveDirectly real shinning strength. The only way they can do better is by growing and reaching even more needy individuals and help make their dreams come true."

"It a lot to my life what I never have the funding to accomplish Givedirectly make me to accomplish it."

"Givedirectly did good for helping we poor people"