"I currently work as a motorbike taxi driver to earn some income to support my family. However, I don’t earn much, as I hire the motorbike on a daily basis and have to split the income with the owner. Before these transfers end, I want to invest in goat rearing. Growing my herd will provide a valuable safety net for any financial emergencies. I save part of each transfer in our savings group to ensure I reach this goal. I prefer goats because they multiply quickly, which increases their value rapidly. Having a reliable source of income gives me peace of mind, and once I have a strong herd, I plan to leave the motorbike business and focus fully on goat rearing. This will allow me to support my family financially with much greater ease."

"Low and unsustainable income are the challenges we are currently facing. Raising a family of 3 single-handedly with a meager wage of approximately KES 150 a day is an uphill task. I usually depend on casual labor such as fishing, vending water in the village, and, at times, taking care of teachers' children when they have gone to school for a fee. Living in such tough economic times with low income has made our lives unbearable. My hope has now been rekindled through the transfer that I am expecting from Give Directly. This will be a stepping stone to realizing a fulfilled future for my family."

"The officers spoke to me kindly and respectfully, taking the time to ask about my plans and how the funds would help us. They explained everything clearly, which made me feel comfortable and understood. I appreciate how they were patient and attentive, showing genuine concern for our needs. I did not notice anything bad from GiveDirectly; everything went smoothly, and their support has been a great help to us. The funds have made a big difference in our lives, and we are very grateful for the assistance. GiveDirectly is doing a good job, and I hope they continue to help more people in the future."

"The struggles of farming with limited resources have been tough, but this cash transfer gave me a chance to turn things around. I decided to invest $300 in tomato seeds to plant on one acre of land. Although it was an expensive investment, I know that tomatoes have the potential for a high profit, and this could help me secure a better future for my family. Growing tomatoes will give me the income I need, something I didn't have before, as I lacked the capital to plant anything beyond maize.In addition, I spent $150 on a cupboard to keep my fragile utensils safe. Before, I had no place to store them properly, and they were always at risk of getting damaged. The cupboard will help organize our home and protect our belongings, which is important for keeping our daily life running smoothly. This small change in our home makes a big difference, and I am so grateful to have it.I have two children, and both my husband and I are farmers. We've always worked hard, but we didn't have the capital to grow beyond basic farming. Since receiving the cash transfer, I have seen real changes in our life. With the new investment in tomatoes and the furniture, I now feel more secure and hopeful about the future. My family’s situation has improved, and I believe that this investment will continue to pay off in the coming years."

"GiveDirectly did a great job by providing us with money, something other organizations did not do. The officers were very clear in explaining the project to us and asked if we were willing to accept it. They promised to give us money, and they kept their word, which was very reassuring. I felt supported by their honesty and transparency. Throughout the process, I did not see anything bad from GiveDirectly. They fulfilled their promises, and I am grateful for the assistance they provided."

"The floods caused great destruction to our home, and it was a heartbreaking experience watching everything we had worked for wash away. My children had nowhere to sleep, as the floods destroyed their room, which was made of grass and mud walls. They were forced to sleep in one room, with the older boys going to stay at a neighbor’s house. After receiving my second cash transfer, I knew I had to rebuild, so I spent $350 to build a one-room house made of iron sheets for my sons. This was a priority because my children’s well-being and safety were my biggest concern. Additionally, I used $20 to pay for my child’s medical bill after she fell ill with pneumonia. I was very worried, but now, thankfully, she’s doing much better. I also spent $30 to buy new clothes for my children. Their old clothes were worn out, and it was especially important for them to have something better for the holidays and everyday use. The remaining amount was used for food and small expenses while I worked casual jobs, like burning charcoal and helping on other people’s farms.Life has not been easy, but with these improvements, things are looking up. I have seven children to take care of, and my husband, who is a farmer, helps support the family. Together, we are managing much better than before, and I’m deeply grateful for the assistance from GiveDirectly. The cash transfer allowed us to make a fresh start and has truly made a difference in our lives."

"Lack of food quality food is the biggest challenge my family is currently facing.I am a widow with 2 children, I engage in casual jobs such as fetching water and washing clothes for the well-off neighbors.Finding work nowadays is a challenge because schools have closed, children go to fetch water for their families.This has affected my source of income leading me to having huge debt in shops .For the past one month I have been able to earn at most KES 100 twice a week, this money is inadequate to meet my household daily food requirement worth KES 200.I am currently so devastated and in fear that my children and I may find ourselves malnourished and weak due to inadequacy of food intake unlike the past few months."

"Providing food for my family of four has become a real challenge for us. We depend on my husband, Amos, who operates a motorcycle taxi business to provide for us. Unfortunately, his business is not doing well, and on most days, he only earns around KES 300, which is not enough to cover even the basics like food. We do not farm here either, since the weather conditions are not favorable for growing crops. Even though it is tough sometimes, I am grateful that we have never lacked food, thanks to Amos. He works hard, and no matter how little we earn, he always makes sure there is something on the table for us. I am thankful for that, even though things are hard."

"In the past, my main goal was to get a bed and mattress for myself, as I had none and I was sleeping on the floor which was very uncomfortable. With the transfers I received, I was able to buy a bed and mattress, and I am now so grateful to sleep comfortably each night. However, I now realize that my teenage son, who is growing up quickly, also needs his own space. It no longer feels right for us to share the same living area, especially as he becomes more older. Therefore, this year, I plan to use part of my future transfers from GiveDirectly to gradually purchase building materials so I can construct a small house for him. I want both of us to have the privacy and comfort we deserve, each in our own space. I am hopeful that, little by little, I will be able to complete this project and give him this special gift. Just thinking about it fills me with joy. I am deeply grateful for these transfers, as they are making dreams like this feel within reach. I know I will be overjoyed when I can finally hand over a place my son can truly call his own."

"I am currently enrolled in college, pursuing a diploma course in Early Childhood Development Education. I believe that enrolling in this program will open exciting new paths for my career and therefore I am committed to completing this course. I am meant to complete my studies in July next year and I am hopeful for the chance to secure a position with the County Government, which would provide the job security and growth I aspire for, especially compared to my current role within our community school where there is no job security. As I move forward, my primary focus is to continue dedicating all my transfers toward funding my education until I complete my studies. Once I complete my studies, I plan to start investing in livestock, starting with goats. My hope is that these goats will thrive and multiply, growing in both number and value. Thereafter, I plan to trade some of them to purchase cows that I will use to plow my farm. I am optimistic that these goats and cows will become valuable assets for my family and be a reliable source of support especially once this program concludes. I am deeply grateful for the assistance I receive from GiveDirectly. It has been an essential stepping stone toward my dreams, and with each step, I feel my aspirations coming closer to reality."