"If I could not have received the transfer I could still be sleeping on a mate which is very uncomfortable."

"Lack of a reliable source of income is my biggest hardship in my life. Being illiterate securing a job has been a challenging task for me. This has forced me to venture into seasonal peasant farming growing maize. Meeting the educational needs of my children has been a difficult task something that keeps me worried that I may fail to educate them."

"Unreliable source of income has been the biggest hardship i face in life. I do casual jobs in people's farm and these kinds of jobs are never a guarantee to get especially during prolonged dry seasons, which is a great challenge for me as a single mother with four children currently studying in secondary school"

"I had a mobile money transfer (M-pesa) shop that closed down due to financial constraints. When I receive my first transfer, I am going to spend $300 to revive the business and another part of the second transfer to improve the business. I have high hopes that this business will do well, from which I can make savings and further my studies in college in the near future. "

"As a young family man, it is challenging especially when it comes to meeting the needs of the family.This is because I do not have a stable source of income. I am an untrained teacher employed by the Parents and Teachers Association(PTA) and therefore I am paid very little(40 USD in a month). I have a passion in teaching but I do not have money to go and study teaching in college. Completing a course in teaching would have translated to an increased income and therefore my family would live comfortably."

"Having an additional dairy cow on my herd is a life changer that I can proudly mention. This dairy cow has given birth to a young one hence I do milk for free for my family consumption. Previously, I used to buy milk from my neighbors and it was indeed so costly. In addition , with the expansion of my herd I expect more milk that I shall sell to generate an income. I believe the little money I will be getting from this business will enable me to pay school fees for my children."

"GiveDirectly's transfer has changed my life from grass to grace why do I say this . We used to live in a small grassed thatched house which was hardly enough to accommodate all of us comfortable. During the rainy seasons, we did not enjoy the peace that comes with having a roof over your head since that house had its roof leaking and often exposed us to the harsh climatic conditions that come with cold weather . Currently, I have a decent house and I can host my family comfortably. At time I lack words to express how my living standards have just changed for the better in an instant all because of GiveDirectly ."

"My mother started ailing at 2016 and her medication required alot of money . By then , I had completed my secondary education and with the financial constraints it was not possible to raise my college fees . Unfortunately , she passed away and life became harder because my dad who was a casual worker in a nearby factory his income could not support the provision of our basic needs and pay school fees for my siblings too . I had to step up and take some roles that my late mother's did that is doing causal jobs around the village and the money I make went to support my sibling . Since then, fulfilling my dream of going to college seemed not achievable . Through GiveDirectly's transfer, I have another story to tell which I am proud of . I foresee a brighter future because I have gotten an opportunity to go back to college for a teaching course . I believe when I shall complete this course and get employed it will be easier to support my family financially."

"My new goal is to venture into the farming business. I am planning to invest in planting onion or maize which normally takes three months to be ready for harvest. I love the idea of employing myself since these casual jobs are unreliable. I feel that this will end my struggle to make ends meet for my family."

"Being a sole breadwinner for the family, a responsibility that I assumed many years ago after the death of my husband is the challenge that I have ever faced. With my status of being a widow, I am forced to engage in odd jobs which are man dominated. Imagine being a charcoal burner and weeding for my neighbours to get a pay! These activities are very tiresome and they usually drain much of my energy yet their income is very minimal. Meeting my family's basic needs is difficult and this has affected my children's education since some dropped out of school while others could not advance their studies after completing their primary education. I am now a happy person after learning that, GiveDirectly has come for my rescue."