"I was so sick in the hospital bed when the money arrived — $200 from GiveDirectly. Luckily, I had already given my phone to my son, who was helping me during that time. I didn't know about the transfers until I was discharged, and I was overjoyed when I found out. I am extremely grateful and happy because the money helped me regain my health. It was a great relief, and I truly appreciate the support that came at such a crucial time."

"My most immediate goal now is to finish building the house using the last transfer from GiveDirectly. The thought of completing the house makes me feel good because it means my family will no longer have to live with a leaking roof. Without the leaks, our home will be more comfortable, especially during the rainy season. I’m excited about the idea of finally having a secure and comfortable place for my family to live. This project is very important to me, and I am grateful for the support that has made it possible."

"Upon receiving $450 from GiveDirectly, I used $250 to buy a water tank. This amount covered the cost of purchasing the tank and the cementing of a base to keep it in place. The reason I bought the water tank is that I have to travel almost a kilometer to get clean water, and sometimes it’s not available. This tank will allow me to collect rainwater and refill it during the dry season. Now, my family has access to clean drinking water, which improves our well-being and reduces the chances of contracting waterborne diseases. After that, I used $200 to pay school fees. Having one child in secondary school (Form Two) and another in university is challenging, and I often depend on farming to pay their fees. However, after the floods ruined my recent harvest, the support from GiveDirectly came at the right time. It allowed me to clear the school fee balance, ensuring that my children could continue their education without disruption."

"Recently, when I received $450 from GiveDirectly, the first thing I did was use the money for harvesting. I spent $80 to ensure that I could harvest the maize I had planted with Kenya Seed and transport it to a place where it could be dried and graded. This will help me generate income from selling the maize, and I plan to use that money to improve my life by buying more livestock and paying school fees. Once that was done, I used $210 to pay school fees and rent for my two children who are in university. This will allow them to continue their studies without interruption and live comfortably at school with their rent covered. Previously, I relied on my salary to pay their school fees, but since I retired this year as a teacher, I believe I can continue supporting my family through farming. I used $100 to buy food, ensuring that my family was food secure. The rest of the money was used for our daily household needs, making sure that every need was addressed."

"My goal now is to make my dream come true. I am eagerly waiting for the final transfer, which will allow me to buy a motorbike. With the motorbike, I plan to start earning more money by transporting people and goods to and from the market. The thought of this makes me incredibly happy, and I can already imagine how much my life will change. I don’t think I’ll be able to hide my happiness when the time comes because it will take me to a whole new level."

"When I received $450 from GiveDirectly, I was living in a small grass-thatched house that leaked during the rainy season. To address this, I used $350 to build a small iron-sheet house. This amount covered the cost of purchasing the iron sheets and paying for labor. With this improvement, my family now enjoys greater comfort and protection from the weather, which has significantly enhanced our well-being. With the remaining $100, I decided to invest in farming. I used the money to cultivate beans on a 1.5-acre piece of land. I chose beans because they thrive in this area and fetch good prices in the market. This was a strategic decision to ensure a productive and profitable harvest. I am optimistic about having a successful yield, which will enable me to improve my life further. I hope to use the profits to add another room to my newly constructed house, creating more space and privacy for my family. This support from GiveDirectly has given me the foundation to work toward a better future for myself and my loved ones."

"When I received $450 from GiveDirectly, I decided to use the money to improve my household’s standard of living. The first step I took was to invest $260 in improving our house. Previously, we lived in a small one-room house that was uncomfortable for my family of five children. I used the money to extend the house by adding an extra room, creating more space for us. This improvement has greatly enhanced our privacy and comfort, making our home more suitable for our family’s needs. Next, I used $100 to invest in livestock by purchasing two sheep. I plan to keep and raise them, knowing they will reproduce and grow into a larger flock over time. This investment will serve as a reliable source of income and support during times of need. With the remaining funds, I spent $50 to buy a mattress for my children. This has significantly improved their quality of sleep, contributing to their overall well-being and happiness. Seeing their joy reassures me that this was a worthwhile decision. Finally, I used the rest of the money to buy food and other immediate household necessities to ensure that my children have enough to eat and that their basic needs are met. This support has brought comfort and stability to my family, and I am truly grateful."

"This year and in the future, I have several goals that I am determined to accomplish. First, I want to improve my household by building a toilet. This will greatly enhance our health and sanitation standards, ensuring my family lives in a clean and healthy environment. Another priority is to fence my compound. This will provide security for my family and allow me to farm without disturbances from neighbors' animals. Having a secure and well-organized compound will also give me peace of mind and create a better environment for my household. Once these projects are complete, my next goal is to pay the bride price. This step will bring me a sense of freedom and strengthen the bond between my family and my in-laws. Building these relationships is important to me, as it fosters mutual respect and unity. Achieving these goals will bring significant improvements to my life and my family's well-being."

"Over the next year and beyond, my primary goal is to expand my income-generating projects to provide long-term financial stability for my family. With the support from GiveDirectly, I successfully started a poultry rearing project and currently have 25 poultry. My aim is to grow this venture by adding livestock, including cows, goats, and sheep, to diversify our income sources. To achieve this, I will consistently allocate a portion of my monthly transfers towards acquiring more poultry and gradually investing in livestock, ensuring a sustainable future for my family."

"My greatest goal for the coming year and beyond is to ensure my children complete their education despite the financial challenges we face as a family. To achieve this, I have already started a livestock rearing project with a goat and a cow, and I plan to expand by purchasing a sheep and continuing to save part of my transfers to buy more livestock. I believe that as the livestock reproduce, I will be able to sell some, generating a steady income to support my children's education and ease our financial burden over time."