Our family of eight always depends on the water vending business for survival, but it is far from enough to provide the stability we crave, so we need to diversify income-generating activities. Next year, for instance, I plan on venturing into crop and chicken farming to secure both income and food for my family. I will sell some of the goats so as to earn capital for this business.

As a grateful recipient of Givedirectly's assistance, I cannot help but express my gratitude from the depths of my heart. Their approach, the unconditional cash transfers, has been a lifeline for our family. It provided the flexibility and autonomy we needed to address our most pressing needs and priorities I would not wish them to change a thing because it's been far more than good—it's been life-changing.

My family of eight relies on the water vending business to make ends meet. However, the income earned from this business cannot cater for all the family's needs, such as food, school fees, and clothing. I cannot help but feel a profound sense of gratitude for the assistance we have received from GiveDirectly, as most of my financial problems have been solved. When I received the transfers, I used $25 on debt repayment in a shop where I usually take goods on a loan. I further paid $300 in school fees for my children in grade 11 and college, respectively. The school fees had been a constant source of worry, a mountain we struggled to climb. For the rest of the transfers, I purchased food for the household. I am elated that these funds were not just about money; they were about hope, opportunity, and a chance for my family to rise above our circumstances.

In the upcoming year, my aspirations are threefold: to construct a bigger and more comfortable house for my family, expand my goat herd, and ensure my children receive a good education. To attain these goals, I am determined to save diligently from the earnings of my casual jobs, and I also place my faith in the belief that God will guide and provide for us. Reflecting on my journey so far, I am content and grateful for what I have achieved. The progress I've made fills me with hope and optimism for the future. With perseverance and a strong belief in myself, I am confident that I can turn these dreams into tangible realities for the betterment of my family's life.

The organization's criteria for selecting beneficiary families for the project were truly remarkable. The process was open, free, and fair, ensuring that the deserving families were chosen. What made the transfer even more empowering was its unconditional nature, allowing us the freedom to decide how to best utilize the funds. As a result of this support, my neighborhood has undergone a remarkable transformation and has grown stronger. Throughout my interactions with the GiveDirectly staff, I have witnessed nothing but excellence and professionalism. Their dedication and commitment to helping our community have left a lasting positive impression. I am genuinely impressed by the organization's approach and execution, which has had a significant impact on our lives and community.

Raising school fees for my children has been an uphill struggle, given the responsibility of caring for five children and two grandchildren who are still in school. To sustain our family, I work at a temporary job, selling water at a borehole in the village, while my husband stays at home. Unfortunately, due to financial constraints, I had been paying school fees in instalments, leading to the accumulation of arrears. However, upon receiving the transfer, I immediately took action and used $150 to clear the outstanding fees. I also spent $122 to renovate our house, which had suffered due to the use of mud walls. Moreover, I invested $40 in buying a goat, and with the remaining funds, I purchased essential food supplies. The weight of this financial burden has been lifted from my shoulders, and I can finally take a breath of relief, knowing that I have settled all the school fee arrears, relieving us from that persistent worry. The assistance received has significantly improved our lives, and I will forever be grateful for the positive impact it has made on our family's well-being.

At my place of work, I was busy working when I felt my phone vibrate. Thinking that it might be someone I needed to get back to, I made the decision to read it at that moment out of curiosity to learn its contents. It was a Mpesa message verifying receipt of the promised transfer, which surprised me. When I read this, my heart jumped for delight, and I called my spouse right away to share the wonderful news.

The biggest change in my daily routine is that I now have resources I can rely on in the event of a financial emergency. I've been interested in owning goats for a while, and I'm delighted that GiveDirectly has made it possible for me to do so. My son has also been able to focus on his academic work. The reason for this is that I was able to cover a portion of his tuition fee and pledged to utilize my second and third transfers to pay the remaining debt. With this, I have faith that his academic performance will rise and that he will succeed in achieving his life's academic objectives.

We have not been able to harvest any corn for the past three years, yet we still rely on subsistence farming. This has forced us to purchase maize and other food items throughout the year. After getting my transfer, I spent KES 6500 buying a sack of maize, KES 8000 acquiring two goats, and KES 5000 paying my son's high school tuition fee. In order to stop worrying about what family would eat, I arrived at the decision to buy a sack of maize. Additionally, since I promised at school that I would pay a portion of the remaining fee using a portion of my second allocation and clear the remainder using the final transfer, paying for my son's school fees has enabled him to focus on his studies. In addition, I thought it prudent to invest the transfer from GiveDirectly by purchasing the two goats. When faced with an economic emergency in the future, I would rely on this.