"In the next few months to come, I have plans that have been running through my mind for a while. First of all, I would want to acquire a pair of oxen on my homestead. With these cows, I can easily use them to plough my farm, making it easier to grow crops. Not only that, I plan to offer ploughing ing services to others for a fee, which will bring in extra money for my family since, for now, I do not have a reliable source of income to sustain my family. I am hoping to achieve all these using the incoming transfers that I have yet to receive, as well as with the help of my sons, who also rely on casual jobs."

"Me and my husband we were both working at quarry which is in this sub-location since 2016 as casuals. Early this year the company shut it's operations because of license issues. Because that was the only source of our income, things started getting worse by days since March. The salaries offered were not that enough to step aside for savings. That was evident because immediately after the job stopped, we could not afford some of our children's school fees and medical services. The challenge got worse to some extent going a day without a meal. My children were hit the hardest because they missed some exams because of that financial crisis."

"As a single mother and a sole bread winner, raising a family comes with a heavy responsibility. I work as a casual at a nearby quarry where I double with selling food to coworkers. The wages usd 19 per week from the minerals are not enough for the education cost of my son who is at high school. I am required to pay usd 460 per year as fees. The sell of food is also not sustainable become it is in credit. People have to wait until the minerals are sold before they are paid. Difficulties in paying school fees is the challenge that I am currently facing. This is because I delay to make payment which affects the performance of my only child. Sometimes, I am worried because I feel that he will not achieve his dream of becoming a doctor."

"I have a family of six children but five are the ones currently with me here. Two of my children are the ones sleeping on a bed and mattress. The other three are sleeping on the ground with a mat. That state has been affected them health wise in that some have started developing skin conditions. For sure that has been a challenge for me as a parent but because my financial state is very bad it has left me with no option. My husband earns less than $250 a month and all that goes to school fees and other basic needs such as food and clothing for my children."

"We are a family of four with two children. My first born(Virginia Sidi, 7years old) was affected with meningitis which later brought cerebral palsy to him when she was one year old. That condition has been a challenge to me and my husband. Considering the casual nature of my husband job and myself being unemployed, we have been unable to take her for a weekly therapy sessions recommended. The last time i took her for the therapy was 2020, something that has made her condition worsening. It's very painful and sometimes a shame to have such a baby in this community but i pray always for a breakthrough."

"Paying school fees for my 4 Children who are in secondary school poses a great challenge that I am currently facing in my household. I am unable to raise usd 1500 for the three who are at National school and usd 180 for the one who is at subcounty. I rely on casual jobs at a nearby quarry where I earn usd 20 per week. The wages are not consistent because the owner has to sell the minerals before he pays. Sometimes, I spent the whole month without money which makes the whole situation to be difficult. Besides, securing enough food for the family of 11 members is another pressing issue. Food prices are very high and crop production which is also a source of livelihood has failed due to unreliable rainfall. As a result, there are times that my kids go to school without meals due financial limitations."

"I have spent most of my life sheltering in a small, weak house that leaked uncontrollably whenever it rained. Last year, the rains were too much and my house collapsed. Since then, I have been staying in my son's house in the village, while he lives in town with his family. This situation has been challenging because my son no longer comes home with his family. I wanted to build a new house, but I couldn't afford the necessary building materials. I am grateful because GiveDirectly has empowered me to build a new house. With the transfer, I spent $380 on buying 26 iron sheets, nails, building poles, and partly paid for the labor cost. I am now in the process of building a new house so my son can have his own place and be free to come home with his family. Additionally, I purchased a new bed and mattress for $130. I had been using worn-out bedding and sleeping on the dusty ground, which was uncomfortable. I am happy that I can now sleep well on my new bedding. Lastly, I spent the remaining amount on buying foodstuffs to ensure my family had enough to eat and never lacked food."

"The house that had been my shelter for many years collapsed last year due to heavy rains. It was in bad shape, weak, and had a dilapidated roof made of palm leaves. I couldn't replace the palm leaves on time, so it leaked whenever it rained. Since then, I've been staying at my son's house, making my son stay in town with his family. I wasn't at peace with this arrangement, as it meant my son couldn't come home with his family. It pained me that I couldn't afford to build a new house. All I longed for was to build my own house and let my son have his own. I'm glad that my dream is coming true after receiving my first transfer, which enabled me to purchase enough building materials such as iron sheets, nails, and building poles. I am currently in the process of building a two-roomed house. Once it's complete, I will be able to move into my own house and let my son have his own. Additionally, I also acquired a new bed and a mattress and replaced the old ones which were worn out and no longer offered a comfortable sleep."

"I went to the forest to gather firewood for cooking in the evening. Luckily, I had my phone with me. While I was busy collecting the firewood, I received a notification on my phone. Upon checking, I saw that I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I felt really happy because this was the news I had been waiting for. Getting the transfer meant that I could turn my life around, as I had been facing financial difficulties after losing my job."

"I am so grateful for the support I received from GiveDirectly. Two years ago, I lost my job as a kindergarten teacher at a school in our village because I didn't have the right qualifications. Losing my job made it difficult to provide for my family and pay for my children's education. I couldn't afford to go to college to further my career to secure a job. Since then, I've been doing odd jobs in the village, struggling to make ends meet. Receiving the transfer from GiveDirectly has transformed my life because I now have enough food to feed my family, and I no longer have to skip meals like before. I was also able to buy a new bed and mattress, replacing the old, worn-out ones. I can now afford to sleep comfortably unlike before when I was using the old beddings. I also acquired some goats, and I hope they will multiply into a herd that I can sell to meet my financial needs."