"GiveDirectly has made a significant impact on our lives. As a family, we have been struggling for a long time, and this support has brought us immense relief. It feels like a weight has been lifted off our shoulders, and for the first time in a while, we have hope for the future. With this assistance, we can now prioritize our children's education, which has always been important to us. Previously, we constantly worried about how we would pay school fees or even afford necessities. Now, we can breathe a little easier, knowing that their education is more secure."

"Thanks to the support from GiveDirectly transfers, I have successfully completed my carpentry course. I’m now focused on job hunting, but I’m really proud of this accomplishment. Looking ahead, my main goal for the coming year and beyond is to renovate my house, as the roof has developed holes and leaks badly when it rains. With my studies completed, I plan to use my transfer to purchase the building materials needed for the renovation. The roof, made of iron sheets, has holes that allow rainwater to seep into the house, making it uncomfortable to live in. So, repairing the roof is a top priority. Additionally, I’d like to invest part of my transfer into buying chickens to expand my poultry project. These chickens will serve as a financial safety net, allowing me to sell some if I face financial difficulties once the transfers end."

"My primary goal is to provide a quality education for my daughter, who is currently in Form One. She is the only child in our family to have the chance to attend secondary school, and I am determined to help her achieve her dreams. Her success means everything to me, not just as her parent but for our entire family. To accomplish this, I plan to combine the earnings from my charcoal business with the monthly transfers I save in my chama. This strategy will enable me to support her education. I firmly believe that a good education will give my daughter a brighter future, which is essential for breaking the cycle of poverty that has affected our family for years. As a parent, it would bring me immense pride to see my daughter advance to higher levels of education, something I have always dreamed of but never had the opportunity to pursue myself."

"My primary goal right now is to ensure that my children receive a quality education, something I never had the opportunity to experience. The challenges I face in life due to illiteracy are struggles I never want my children to endure. To achieve this, I have joined a savings group where we contribute monthly. Each month, I save 1,500 from the contributions, so by the time my children enter secondary school, I will have accumulated a substantial amount. Providing my children with a good education is the only way to break the cycle of poverty. I believe that with a strong education, they will grow up to be responsible and self-reliant individuals in the future."

"Lack of food as a result of prolonged droughts is the challenge we are struggling with currently. Despite the fact that we received rain this year our productivity in the farms was quite low. I have a small amount of foodstuffs that will last us a few months in the coming year. This leaves me stressed because I feel I will be forced to purchase food and since I don't have any formal job this will be difficult."

"In the coming year and beyond, I plan to build a better house. My current home is made of mud walls, and the iron sheets on the roof have developed holes. During the rainy season, it becomes stressful as rainwater leaks into the house, forcing me to endure these conditions. This is why I am determined to build a more decent and reliable house. Once I complete this, I plan to shift my transfers towards investing in goats. Currently, I have one goat, and I am confident that I will gradually acquire more. Goats are a practical investment because they multiply quickly and can be sold when necessary. Additionally, I could exchange them for dairy cows, which would be beneficial for my farming. This investment will provide employment opportunities through the sale of goats and milk production, boosting my income. I also have the dream of finding a wife once I am financially stable."

"Food insecurity is the biggest challenge we are facing currently. Prolonged period of drought in addition to lack of employment has led to food insecurity in our region. My husband is a teacher by profession but he is a casual laborer in a school far from home earning a salary of KES 10,000. He spends almost half of his earning on transport making it hard for him to save enough to cater to our family of 4. We normally lease 1 acre of land at approximately KES 5000 basically for growing maize and millet to supplement what my husband earn. Harvesting is another thing because we rarely get enough rainfall and the little we get, is used as food with no surplus. We have been yearning for sufficient rainfall in order to harvest sufficient food but our hopes fades away when we don't get the required amount of rainfall."

"After completing my tailoring studies at Mtawapa Polytechnic, I faced the challenge of lacking a sewing machine and a suitable location for my business. As a result, I chose to start a vegetable-selling venture. This decision has allowed me to support my family and meet my needs independently. My goal is to save significantly from this business and my monthly earnings so that I can open a tailoring shop within the next year. I am optimistic about excelling in tailoring, as I now possess the necessary skills. I hope to purchase a sewing machine soon and establish my shop, showcasing a variety of dresses and garments that reflect my abilities in different materials and designs. This transition will empower me and boost my confidence in succeeding. Currently, I haven't secured the capital for the sewing machine or business premises. Through my vegetable business, I've employed someone and am paying her 200 shillings. Additionally, I'm working in a shop selling sweets while saving for my own premises. I estimate that I need $11 for the sewing machine and around $30 in total for materials and to cover the business's premises."

"We currently live in a two-roomed house with my three children and my spouse. As my children are growing up quickly, they need their own space and privacy. My two boys require their own room, as does my daughter.To address this need, I plan to expand our house. I want my spouse and I to have our own room, as well as separate rooms our boys and our daughter. I want to avoid situations where my boys have to put up with their friends from the neighborhood due to a lack of space, which is a common occurrence for some of their friends.In the coming year and beyond, I am determined to improve our living conditions for the sake of my family, particularly my three children. I want to provide them with a comfortable environment where they can enjoy their time and have their own privacy. Currently, I am part of a merry-go-round group, and when it is my turn to receive my transfer, I will immediately start purchasing materials for the construction project. This opportunity will allow me to take the necessary steps to create a better home for my family."

"When I received $450 from GiveDirectly, the first thing I did was give my husband $100 for his personal needs. As a polygamous family with three households, we had already agreed before the transfer came that each household would give the husband the same amount, ensuring inclusivity and transparency within our family. I decided to use the rest of the money to address our household needs. After that, I focused on my original plan and used $350 to construct a toilet and bathroom. These were essential things we had been lacking, which were risking our health and dignity. Now that the construction is complete, we are enjoying the convenience, privacy, and improved sanitation standards at home. This change has made a big difference in our lives, and we are grateful for the support that made it possible."