I am planning to construct a better house because I am currently residing in a very small area that used to be my kitchen, following the collapse of my main house due to heavy winds. With the monthly transfers from GiveDirectly, I am saving $20 each month for purchasing building materials. I am genuinely optimistic that, with the support of my spouse, I will achieve this dream. However, financial constraints have set me back my spouse does casual jobs that pay very little, which has forced us to move into a smaller space. Despite this, I am grateful that we can save the little income we earn, especially since we have combined that with the transfers. Soon, we will be able to start buying building materials. I also produce and sell charcoal to provide for my family, and I am confident that we will reach our goal. Moreover, I intend to educate my children so that once they finish school and find jobs, they can assist themselves when they are adults.

I used to own two houses,a main house and a kitchen. Unfortunately, my main house collapsed earlier this year due to strong winds. As a result, my spouse, our five children, and I had to move into the kitchen since we had no other options. Although it's quite cramped for all of us, I have no choice but to endure this situation with my family. I am now planning to build a new house. When I recent my latest transfers I set aside $30 to save in our merry-go-round group. I'm planning to use these savings to invest in purchasing materials for building. Saving in a group is easier for me than saving on my phone, where it’s tempting to spend the money. With the group's strict rules, I can’t access the money until the agreed time, which helps me stay disciplined. I also used part of my remaining funds to buy food costing $27, as I had nothing to eat at home. Finally, I used the last $45 to settle a debt at the shop. I had borrowed food items when I was short on cash and assured the shopkeeper that I would pay back once I received the transfer. I am truly grateful for the support.

I am planning to build a better house because I am currently living in a very small space. With the help of the monthly transfers from GiveDirectly, I started constructing a two-room house. Using old iron sheeting salvaged from my previous collapsed house, I managed to partially roof one of the rooms. However, due to financial constraints, I still need 12 more iron sheets to finish the second room. I am determined to reach this goal by saving money through a savings group, which will enable me to purchase the remaining materials and complete the construction. Additionally, I aim to educate my children so that, once they finish school and secure jobs, they will be able to help support me. I am targeting to have sixteen children in total.

I have two school-going children, and before GiveDirectly came to our area, I relied on burning and selling charcoal for my livelihood. Thanks to this financial support, I am now experiencing some financial relief, and paying my children’s school fees has become much easier. With my most recent transfer, I used $25 to cover their school fees, which was previously a challenge due to the inconsistency of charcoal selling. I also spent $37 to buy food for my family, as we had none in the house. Finally, I used $10 to hire someone to help me cultivate the land in preparation for planting, as the rains had started.

With the help of the monthly transfers I received from Give Directly, I embarked on constructing a two-room house. Utilizing old pieces of iron sheeting salvaged from my previous collapsed house, I managed to roof one of the rooms partially. Unfortunately, due to financial constraints, the other room remains unfinished as I lack the funds to purchase the necessary 12 iron sheets. However, I am determined to achieve my goal by saving enough money through a savings group, which will allow me to buy the required iron sheets and complete the construction of my house. I also wish to educate my children so that when they finish school and secure jobs they will help me.

With $30, I decided to join a merry-go-round savings group, hoping that when my turn comes, I'll receive a lump sum that could help me tackle a big expense all at once. I also used some of the money to buy small household items that we needed. The highlight was using $40 to clear my daughter's school fees balance, which left her overjoyed and jumping with happiness; she never expected me to be able to do that. I even managed to pay for her upcoming term fees, ensuring she can focus on her studies without any worries. Additionally, I spent $3 on a textbook for her and $5 on school fees for my son in class two. As a casual worker, I burn charcoal during the dry season and work in the shamba during the rainy season, both for commercial purposes and for our subsistence. These transfers have truly made a difference in our lives, helping us meet essential needs and giving us hope for the future.

My family and I currently reside in an unfinished house, posing safety concerns. As the year draws to a close, my goal for the upcoming year is to complete the construction of my house. I intend to utilize subsequent transfers and savings from my casual jobs to cover the associated costs. Achieving the completion of my house holds great significance as it ensures my family will have a secure and stable living space, filling me with a profound sense of accomplishment.

During the rainy seasons, I engage in farming, and in dry seasons, I supplement our income by selling charcoal, all in an effort to provide for my five children. Since my husband lost his job a few years ago, he has taken up casual labor to contribute to our finances. However, our combined incomes struggle to cover our needs. The impact of GiveDirectly on our lives has been significant, allowing us to meet our basic needs through the provided transfers. Recently, I allocated $60 from these funds to settle a school fee debt for my children just before their end-of-term examinations. The remaining $62 was used to purchase food for my family, as our existing supplies had run out. Receiving these transfers has brought considerable relief, ensuring that my family's needs are adequately addressed and I am happy to be a part of this project.

With the help of the monthly transfers I received from Give Directly, I embarked on constructing a two-room house. Utilizing old pieces of iron sheeting salvaged from my previous collapsed house, I managed to roof one of the rooms partially. Unfortunately, due to financial constraints, the other room remains unfinished as I lack the funds to purchase the necessary 12 iron sheets. However, I am determined to achieve my goal by saving enough money through a savings group, which will allow me to buy the required iron sheets and complete the construction of my house.

My husband bears the responsibility of being the sole breadwinner in our family, often taking on various temporary jobs that typically last no more than three days each. Unfortunately, there is usually a considerable gap between the end of one job and finding another, leading to financial difficulties as he earns very little from these engagements. As for me, I work as a casual laborer, specifically selling charcoal. Despite both of us contributing, our combined incomes fall significantly short of covering all our family expenses. Thankfully, I receive monthly transfers that provide some financial relief. In July, I utilized $10 of this assistance to pay off a portion of my children's school fees, amounting to a debt of $35. I am relieved that, despite the financial constraints, my children are still attending school and have not faced the risk of being sent home. Additionally, I allocated $4 to purchase necessary stationery items for them, ensuring their learning process continues without hindrance. However, my financial struggles sometimes result in challenges providing enough food for the family. To address this, I spent $10 on purchasing food, ensuring that my family never went to bed on an empty stomach. Lastly, I decided to save $10 within a savings group with the ultimate goal of accumulating enough funds to complete the construction of my house. This savings initiative brings a glimmer of hope for a better future and improved living conditions for our family.

As I said a large percentage of my income goes into taking care of my children's school fees. I have four children two are in school, grade 6 and class 8, one finished class 8 but is yet to join any further learning institution and my last born is still so young and not in school. My goal this year is to ensure the children in school stay in school using these transfers. My husband has a job but his income is not sufficient and this is why I would want to ensure that whatever I can do with my GD transfers to ensure my children do not miss out on an education I will. I also intend to use these transfers to continue saving in my savings as this money will eventually come to me as a big amount when it's my turn to receive the cash.

I am always excited to get GD transfers. I jumped up and down when I got my transfers this month. This money always plays an important role in keeping my family afloat. I am a charcoal seller and maker, this is what I rely on. My husband moves around alot he is a police officer and does not make much. We rely solely on his income but sometimes delays in his getting paid causes a lack at home and this is where GD transfers come in. It always allows me to pay for my children's school fees as well as buy food for our home. I also joined a merry go round where I send a monthly payment of $10. I use $10 for my childrens school fees monthly and I always buy them books which take about $4 monthly. This month I also bought water for $3 as this includes transportation.

The primary goal I have for this year is to raise the money needed to cover my three children' school costs. My oldest son finished elementary school and did extremely well. Early next month, he is expected to begin secondary education. My other two kids are in grades 8 and 4, respectively. I'll be able to pay their tuition on time with the help of the money from the transfer. They will continue attending school as a result, and they will do well on their exams. The money from the transfers is helpful in assisting us in achieving our goal of educating our children because my job selling charcoal and my husband's job as a watchman cannot cover all of their educational expenses.

I was honestly very excited to realize that the organization had actually sent out the transfers especially because at the time I was financially frustrated. My three children had been out of school for two days and therefore I decided to spend KES 2,000 of the money by settling their fees. I then proceeded to deposit KES 1,000 into my savings account because I was hoping that after the money accumulates I could eventually buy iron sheets to replace my grass thatched roof. Lastly I ended up using the remaining balance of KES 400 by purchasing two packets of maize flour so that we would have a meal.

About two days prior to receiving the transfers from GiveDirectly, three of my children had been kicked out of school because I owed the school some money in tuition fee that I had failed to settle. So as soon as I realised the funds had been sent out, I took half of the payment which was KES 1,500 and pay school fees for them. Afterwards I used the balance of KES 1,500 and catered for nutrition for my family especially since my children and I had gone to bed in an empty stomach the previous night, so I ended up purchasing about seven packets of maize flour.

The transfer that I have been receiving from GiveDirectly have been so helpful to me in many ways especially basic needs but I would recommend lump sum transfers. It's impossible for someone to do a major project like build a house with the KES 3000 per month but all in all, I appreciate for the support.

Have you ever starved for some few days and thought of preparing the best meal for yourself when you get money? That's exactly what I did with KES 550 of my transfer, I prepared beef stew and ugali for my family and wow! It felt like a Christmas day! My husband and I rely on charcoal burning to earn living but since this is the main economic activity in the areas, it has led to tree depletion hence we have to dig up the tree roots and burn them to get charcoal. This process usually takes a whole week and the maximum number of sack that we can get is two where one goes for KES 400. This amount can only afford us basic needs and we have not been been able to save towards our son's school fees who will be joining high school. Recently after being enrolled in the program, I joined a sacco where I have been saving KES 1000 monthly and I hope this will help us a lot in paying school fees because I'll be eligible to borrow some money in a months time. I saved KES 1000 in the sacco and paid KES 1000 school fees for my other three children in primary school.

I received the notification that the money had arrived early in the morning while I was in the farm trying to find wood that I would use to make charcoal with, since that is how I provide for my family. Seeing that message, that I had received the money left me thrilled I almost wanted to jump just out of the extreme joy and happiness I felt, and with my age that would have been quite a show, but it just goes show and explain the kinda of joy I had.

Before receiving the money, I will be honest I was so devastated especially since I knew that my children could have been sent home any day and it left me so anxious the fact that I not only could pay their fees but also I could not even put food on the table. Therefore receiving the money was quite a good surprise to be honest and it served me very well, and would not have come at a better time if I do say so myself.

Before receiving the money my children who are in school were literally on the verge of being sent home due to the pending school arrears that I had yet settled. I have five children who are all enrolled in school but I only paid for two because the money was not enough to pay for all of them plus the remaining three I had managed to pay some portion of the fees for them a few weeks back. I took KES 500 and paid the school fees for my two kids. The remaining bit of the money I decided that I should cater for nourishment instead since there was barely any food in the house at the time. Therefore I went ahead and bought four packets of maize flour which cost me KES 420 and I took the little change I was left with and bought stationery like books and pens which was KES 150, then used KES 130 to buy laundry detergent and body oil.