"My husband and I immediately allocated $10 to buy essential foodstuffs for our family of five as a top priority after receiving our transfer. We had previously relied on sporadic and hard-to-find casual labor for income. This cash support was a significant relief because it meant we could ensure a stable food supply while continuing to seek employment opportunities. In our home, we had just two plastic chairs, one primarily used by my husband. The remaining chair was up for grabs, often taken by whoever found it first, even visitors. This left my children sitting on the floor during meals and while working on their school assignments. We decided to invest $50 of the transfer in a three-seater sofa, providing comfortable seating for our three children and an extra person. We used $70 out of the remaining funds to replace our old, uncomfortable bed, which we had used for a decade, with a new and larger one, along with a new mattress. This has significantly improved our sleep quality and relieved the back pain I experienced due to the old bed's inadequate support. Finally, we set aside $30 to pay casual laborers who were helping us weed our one-acre maize field. We are grateful for the ample rainfall, which we hope will result in a better harvest, reducing our need to purchase maize from the market. This harvest will also decrease our reliance on casual labor as we focus on our own farming and livestock activities."

"My sister is currently studying at a medical school, while my father, who pays her school fees, works with Kenya Wildlife Service to support her and eight other siblings through their education. Despite my father's medium salary, covering all their school fees has been a challenge. He also relies on farming, which often fails due to the changing climatic conditions. When I received the second transfer from GiveDirectly, I decided to assist my father by contributing $400 towards my sister's school fees, ensuring she could sit for her semester examination without any issues. I understand the struggles my father faced when I was in school, and I wanted to support him now that I have completed my education. Although I am currently engaged in casual labor without a stable income, I appreciate the impact of GiveDirectly's support, not only on me but also on my sister's education. I had $50 left, and I used $30 to buy six mango seedlings, hoping to nurture them to maturity for additional income and expansion. The remaining amount went towards household essentials, including food for our family of three and clothes for my son. I am thankful for GiveDirectly's support and have great plans for the remaining funds."

"I have lived as a squatter for over ten years now. This has affected me in my development agenda. I cannot do anything to develop myself here."

"My husband died in August this year and I talk over the duty of raising the family alone. I have no job and relying on casual jobs for food and school fees for my children. It has not been easy for me infact my daughter did not join secondary school this year due to lack of school fees. Lack of reliable source of income is the challenge I am currently facing in life."

"In the upcoming year, my primary objective is to restore my deteriorating house, which has fallen into a state of disrepair. The presence of numerous gaping holes in the wall corners has led to frequent snake invasions, creating a hazardous situation for my family. To rectify this pressing issue, I intend to allocate my forthcoming transfers towards the purchase of cement, enabling me to undertake the necessary repairs on the house. The prospect of resolving this problem fills me with immense joy, as it guarantees a safe and secure living environment for my family"

"The house is my most significant aspiration, and I've been diligently saving a portion of my earnings each month to achieve this goal. My ultimate objective is to experience living in a house with an iron roof, something I've never had the opportunity to do before. Until now, I had only admired such houses in my neighbors' homes, but I'm thrilled and glad that I've managed to purchase 18 iron sheets, and I'm working towards acquiring the remaining 80 building materials. I am deeply grateful and appreciative of the support I've received. Constructing an iron-roofed house will alleviate the constant worry of getting rained on, as my current grass-thatched house tends to leak during rainy weather. I aspire to spend my golden years in a comfortable and secure environment where health is a top priority."

"My life has changed greatly, and now my family of six has a decent place to live, unlike the previous small house that was inadequate. My privacy has been restored. Moreover, my family has bought food. The support provided through the transfers has transformed our living conditions, giving us a more spacious and comfortable home. It is a significant improvement, and the newfound privacy is a welcome change. Additionally, we no longer have to worry about having enough food on the table, as we have been able to purchase the essentials. The impact on our daily lives is truly remarkable, and we are filled with gratitude for the positive changes these transfers have brought us."

"I received a message while I was at home, taking a well deserved break after tilling the land. The SMS was about the transfers, and my immediate reaction was to call my wife to share the news. The thought that crossed my mind right away was the financial burden of my children's school fees. My wife and I sat down to discuss our plans. The excitement I felt upon receiving the transfers was overwhelming, as it offered a ray of hope in light of the financial challenges we were facing. I wasted no time informing my family of eight about this welcome development. However, I chose not to withdraw the transfers immediately, but rather on the second day. This delay allowed my wife and me to carefully organize and plan how we would use the funds to address our family's needs in the most effective way."

"I was at home, sharing a meal with my husband and our two children, when something extraordinary happened. I received a burst of four messages all at once, which drew our attention. My child, who was curious about the sudden influx of messages, was eager to find out what they were about. As I opened the messages and read them, it became apparent that the transfers had arrived. My child's face lit up with excitement as he recognized the significance of the message, and he eagerly showed me and my husband. The joy that washed over us was palpable. This financial support meant that we would be able to pay the school fees and enable our children to continue their education, even preparing for their upcoming examinations. It was a moment of happiness and relief for our family, knowing that our children's academic aspirations were still within reach."

"I was at home, enjoying a moment of relaxation, and the SMS notifying me about the transfers arrived at 3 p.m. I was filled with gratitude because I had been eagerly anticipating this message to arrive, knowing that it would enable me to run important errands. In my mind, I could already see my plans coming to fruition, and I felt a sense of relief that my pending tasks would finally be completed. I could not contain my excitement, so I shared the news with my husband. He, too, was elated by the message, and we celebrated the arrival of the financial support. However, I chose not to withdraw the transfers immediately. I waited for a week, possibly to carefully plan and consider the best way to allocate the funds. This deliberate approach allowed me to ensure that the money would be used in the most effective and efficient manner to meet our needs."