"It warms my heart to share that my life has taken a turn for the better since receiving support from GiveDirectly. The burden of constant worry about where the next meal would come from or how to secure casual employment has been lifted. Moreover, the assistance has provided me with the means to acquire decent clothing, enabling me to present myself with dignity and confidence. Beyond the immediate needs, the relief has extended to addressing health concerns. I have been grappling with eye problems that had previously hindered my ability to engage in any form of work. With the financial support, I prioritized seeking medical care for my eyes, and I am pleased to report a significant improvement in my condition. This positive transformation, both in terms of material well-being and health, is a testament to the impactful change that GiveDirectly has brought into my life. I express my deepest gratitude to GiveDirectly for alleviating the immediate challenges and also empowering me to take charge of my health and overall well-being. This support has truly made a meaningful difference in my life, allowing me to embrace each day with hope and optimism."

"As I received the message, I was at school, and an overwhelming sense of happiness engulfed me. The joy was touching because of the countless pressing needs I had at that moment. Foremost among these concerns was the school fees for my child in a boarding school. As a candidate, the upcoming exams added an extra layer of urgency, and I was determined to ensure an uninterrupted focus on her studies without the worry of financial constraints."

"Upon receiving the funds, I was not just relieved but filled with a sense of accomplishment. I prioritized settling the school fees arrears for my two children, amounting to $150. This immediate relief meant a lot, especially since my children had been temporarily sent home due to the outstanding fees. Recognizing the urgency, I allocated $30 to buy essential items like shoes and clothes for my five children who are at home. The prolonged gap in providing them with new clothes made this a much-needed and heartwarming provision. Furthermore, I wisely directed $20 towards purchasing food, a step towards ensuring that the nutritional needs of my family were met. This financial flexibility has allowed me to diversify beyond our previous reliance on charcoal selling, offering a glimpse of a more stable and secure future for my family."

"I allocated $100 for school fees of my child in form three. As a Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) teacher, my income is relatively small, necessitating additional support from farming. However, the unpredictability of rainfall poses challenges to successful farming ventures. I dedicated $50 to purchasing food to meet the nutritional needs of my six children. Balancing the budget for a family of this size is an ongoing challenge. finally, I used $50 to buy clothes, ensuring that my children were adequately dressed and comfortable. This allocation serves as an essential component in managing the family's basic needs. Navigating the responsibilities of teaching, farming, and parenting requires careful financial planning, and the assistance from GiveDirectly contributes significantly to addressing immediate concerns and maintaining stability within my family."

"The immediate relief of being able to pay school fees on time, without the uncertainty of waiting for payments from Kenya Seed, brought a sense of stability to our lives. This ensures that my two children in secondary school can continue their education without disruptions. The financial assistance also allowed me to address crucial aspects of our daily life. I could secure enough food for my eight children, alleviating the constant concern about providing adequate meals. Additionally, the funds were instrumental in providing new clothes for my children, enhancing their overall well-being. Beyond addressing immediate needs, the support from GiveDirectly has a strategic impact on our future financial stability. With the essentials taken care of, I can now focus on maximizing savings from my vegetable-selling business. In essence, the assistance from GiveDirectly has propelled us in the right direction, instilling a sense of optimism and confidence as we navigate towards a better tomorrow."

"Currently, my home is stocked with food, and I'm laying the groundwork for the construction of a more substantial house. As a single parent navigating life post a failed marriage, the weight of responsibilities often exceeded my means. Recalling times when illness struck me or my children faced health challenges, the dependence on my family for financial support added a considerable burden, evoking a sense of despair. To address these challenges, I ventured into selling fruits at the local shopping center, trying to make ends meet. However, the financial returns were insufficient to sustain us fully. The arrival of GiveDirectly filled my heart with gratitude, ushering in a wave of positive changes. This support has manifested in tangible improvements and has catalyzed a shift in my mindset and motivation to persevere in difficulty."

"I remember the exact moment—I was at work, and the clock showed 3:19 p.m. A notification popped up, and when I checked it, an overwhelming sense of joy filled me. You see, I run a hotel, and at that moment, a rush of possibilities flooded my mind. The prospect of transforming my business to a whole new level became a vivid reality with the arrival of those transfers. It was like the universe had conspired to open up a new chapter for my entrepreneurial journey."

"The transformation that the GiveDirectly transfers have brought into my life is nothing short of miraculous. I allocated $180 towards building a proper house. Since the current one was not cemented, dust from it was endangering people's health. I envisioned a home where I could receive visitors comfortably, and the new house is a step towards achieving that. Not only will it provide shelter, but it will also save us from potential medical bills that could push us back into poverty. Another essential aspect was ensuring we have enough food. Before the transfers, I used to sell fruits to make ends meet, but the income was inconsistent. With $50 invested in purchasing food, we can now enjoy meals without the constant worry of going to bed hungry. I also used $100 to construct a pit latrine. Lack of proper sanitation was a concern, and having a toilet now contributes to our health, and this would not have been achieved without the help from GiveDirectly. Moreover, I prioritized savings, setting aside $120 for future needs. This represents a crucial shift in my financial strategy, as I now have the capacity to plan for the future and respond to unexpected circumstances."

"I have a goal to build a new two-room house. Right now, my wife, six children, and I all share a cramped two-room space. As the kids grow, they need separate rooms for boys and girls, which our current house cannot provide. It is also a challenge when we have guests because there is no separate space for them. Having another two-room house would ensure everyone has enough space. The children could stay in the current structure, while my wife and visitors could use the new one. To do this, I estimated that I would need at least $600 for a mud-walled house with an iron sheet roof and concrete skirting. Depending on my motorcycle taxi business might make it a challenge to get that money all at once, especially with rising fuel prices and fewer customers due to higher prices. However, I believe that with the cash transfers and my income combined, I can make this happen."

"Right now, my priority is supporting my children's education. When they get sent home from school, nowadays I am confident enough to persuade the teachers to let them stay with a promise to pay when I receive the cash transfers. I am happy that the cash transfers have been crucial in keeping them in school. I know that my job as a herdsman would never be enough to cover the school fees for all five of them, let alone provide daily meals. So, making sure they stay in school is my main focus because I don't want to see them stay at home with me due to a lack of tuition money. I hope the cash transfers continue supporting me in this."