"Lack of school fees for my son is the challenge I am currently facing in life. I am a widow doing casual jobs with little returns. The income can not cater for the domestic necessities and also pay school fees for the son at primary school. He has a fees balance of $25 and this has made him miss classes which also result to poor performance."

"I have a boy who has had mental illiness for the past three years. He went for checkup at the hospital in the coastal town but his condition is still not good. He cannot work and maintain for himself. This has made me and the family not to do any development project because a lot of money has been channeled on his medication."

"The meager income from my role as a casual laborer selling charcoal has placed me in the challenging position of being unable to adequately address all my family's needs. In an effort to improve this situation, I plan to utilize my transfers by investing in the purchase of additional hens, aiming to rear them for multiplication. The subsequent sale of some of these hens will enable me to acquire a sheep, presenting a promising source of income. The assistance from Give Directly has been instrumental in alleviating financial constraints and has played a crucial role in supporting my family. I am deeply grateful for the valuable financial aid provided."

"I have yet to finish the renovations and repairs for the entire house. However, my achievements this year encompass successfully concluding all renovations, ensuring the house is now safe and resilient, capable of withstanding even the challenges posed by the rainy season. The support from the transfers has been instrumental in facilitating my grandchildren's education, and it brings me immense joy to witness that they no longer encounter the difficulties associated with the prospect of being sent home."

"In the upcoming month, my primary goal is to finalize the repairs on my house, ensuring the safety of our living space. Simultaneously, I aim to persist in providing financial assistance to my daughter, supporting her as she pursues her college studies. The invaluable financial aid from the transfers has been instrumental in significantly enhancing the quality of my life, and for that, I am sincerely grateful."

"In an effort to enhance my income, I am strategizing to accumulate sufficient funds over the next three months and initiate a small kiosk business. The modest earnings generated from this venture will enable me to independently address my personal needs, reducing my reliance on my sons. I am genuinely pleased that the assistance from the transfers will pave the way for me to realize this goal."

"My objective is to expand my livestock holdings with the anticipation that their multiplication will open avenues for additional income. This newfound income holds the potential to elevate the quality of my life, rescuing me from the clutches of poverty. I am genuinely pleased with the positive influence of the transfers, as they have enabled me to acquire livestock, a resource I did not previously possess. Utilizing these transfers, I have also invested in food purchases, leading to a notable enhancement in my daily meal intake."

"I was at the shamba digging, busy in the routine of tilling the soil when the unexpected happened. The sound of my phone's messages interrupted the peaceful atmosphere. Hurriedly, I checked my phone, and to my absolute delight, the first unconditional cash transfer from GiveDirectly had arrived. Stunned, I dropped the jembe, my disbelief noticeable. I must have checked the message at least five times, uttering Alhamdillah countless times as if to convince myself of the reality. Overwhelmed with joy, I left the shamba without a second thought, rushing home to share the incredible news with my family. Their skepticism mirrored my initial reaction, prompting me to hand them the phone for confirmation. Amidst the jubilation, my mind raced to the pressing matter at hand – my children's education. With both of them frequently sent home due to unpaid school fees, the financial burden weighed heavily on me. Determined, I decided that the first use of the money would be to settle their dues. On that day, with hearts overflowed with gratitude, I sent my children to buy maize flour and fish, ensuring a celebratory feast despite the scarcity of food."

"Investing in bee farming has been a goal close to my heart, as it's a practice deeply rooted in my family's history. My grandfathers engaged in beekeeping, not just as a means of livelihood but for survival. Drawing inspiration from them, I have embarked on this journey, starting with 30 hives, thanks to the support from GiveDirectly's second transfer. The honey market in our area is robust, driven by the product's medicinal properties and the exceptional quality for which Baringo honey is renowned. This reputation of excellence gives me confidence in the business's success. During peak seasons, the harvests are done after four months. It can yield as much as 8kg of honey per hive. This venture, seeded by the support from GiveDirectly, holds the potential to significantly enhance my family's well-being and contribute positively to our community's economy."

"The most commendable aspect of GiveDirectly's support is the unconditional nature of their cash assistance. This freedom to utilize the funds as per our pressing needs is empowering. It's a unique approach that respects the individual's understanding of their priorities and challenges. This flexibility allowed me to allocate resources efficiently, addressing critical areas in my family's life. The impact of such support is visibly positive and extends beyond individual beneficiaries to the entire community. You can witness noticeable transformations around us, be it in improved living conditions, enhanced agricultural practices, or even in the general sense of hope and resilience among the people. The interactions with GiveDirectly officers have been respectful and engaging. Their approach is about providing financial assistance and building a relationship based on dignity and mutual respect. I sincerely hope GiveDirectly continues this remarkable work, reaching out and touching more lives. Their method of providing aid, centered on trust and respect for the recipient's decision-making, is a powerful tool in driving meaningful and sustainable changes in communities like ours."