Before I started receiving transfers from GiveDirectly, I used to make a living by burning and selling charcoal, which required me to travel to Mariakani, a far distance from our home. However, due to the hardships of this work and the fact that I also had a small child to take care of, I had to give it up. Instead, I opened a food business selling chapatis and mandazi to support my family imediately I started receiving these transfers. I'm grateful that it's doing well. With my most recent transfer, I used $66 to purchase two goats, which I plan to use as a future financial resource since they will multiply and allow me to sell their offspring in case of financial crises, such as the need to pay for fees or other basic needs. With the remaining amount, I bought food for my family, as we were running low on supplies.

Before I started receiving transfers from GiveDirectly, I used to make a living by burning and selling charcoal, which required me to travel to Mariakani, a far distance from our home. However, due to the hardships of this work and the fact that I also had a small child to take care of, I had to give it up. Instead, I opened a food business selling chapatis and mandazi to support my family, and I'm grateful that it's doing well. With my most recent transfer, I used $66 to purchase two goats, which I plan to use as a future financial resource since they will multiply and allow me to sell their offspring in case of financial crises, such as the need to pay for fees or other basic needs. With the remaining amount, I bought food for my family, as we were running low on supplies.

I'm deeply thankful that my life has taken a positive turn with the assistance of the transfers. Presently, I'm engaged in a fast food business, catering to school students. I've transitioned from the arduous task of selling charcoal, which yielded minimal income. With my upcoming transfers, I intend to invest in a new bed and mattress. Currently, I sleep on the cold, bare floor, and acquiring a bed and mattress will ensure I enjoy restful nights and improved comfort.

Before receiving financial aid, life for my family of nine was incredibly challenging. I used to traverse the village, peddling charcoal, and often journeyed over 10km to Mariakani to sell and earn some income. Despite my efforts and my husband's income as a security guard, we struggled to meet our family's needs. However, since receiving financial assistance, our situation has improved. All seven of my children are now attending school regularly. To ensure their education continues uninterrupted, I allocated $44 towards school fees. Additionally, I invested $20 in a new school uniform for my son, who began junior secondary school in February. Witnessing my children pursue education fills me with joy, knowing it paves the way for a brighter future. In preparation for the planting season, I allocated $25 to plow our 1¼-acre farm, as the rains have begun. With the remaining $12, I purchased food to ensure my family never went hungry. I am profoundly grateful for the transformative impact of financial support in improving our lives.

My objective for the current year is to facilitate my son's enrollment in Form 2 at Mazeras Secondary School. Financial challenges have arisen with the simultaneous enrollment of my other children in junior secondary school, but I remain hopeful that these issues will be resolved. Given that my son is also a beneficiary, we plan to pool our received transfers, aiming to accumulate a significant amount to cover his school fees and acquire essential supplies. The prospect of ensuring that all my children have access to education brings me a profound sense of accomplishment. I am truly grateful to GiveDirectly for their assistance.

Previously engaged in the challenging task of selling charcoal, an endeavor that failed to generate sufficient income for my family of eight, I am now grateful for the positive transformation brought about by GiveDirectly's transfers. This financial support has allowed me to establish a thriving business selling small pastries near a local school. As a result, I can comfortably pay school fees for all my children, provide them with adequate food, and even acquire two goats. For the first time in my life, I have purchased a bed and mattress, ending a lifelong practice of sleeping on the floor. I express deep gratitude for these positive changes. Utilizing the received transfers, I invested $34 in acquiring a goat, serving as a valuable asset that can be quickly sold if the need arises. Additionally, I allocated $34 to purchase clothes and books for two of my children entering junior secondary school. The remaining funds were wisely spent on essential food items, including wheat flour, rice, and oil, ensuring a joyous Christmas celebration with abundant sustenance. I am truly elated to be a part of this positive change and am optimistic about the future it holds.

Currently, I am raising goats, and I have a plan to expand my goat farming venture now that our household's food needs are well taken care of through successful farming. With seven children attending school, their education fees are a significant responsibility that falls on my shoulders. My income primarily comes from operating a small food kiosk, but unfortunately, it has not gained much traction, resulting in low profits. Previously, my husband had been the main breadwinner, but due to an accident, he can no longer work, compelling me to step in and assist with the family's financial needs. I am concerned about the challenges of funding my children's further education when the time comes. To secure my children's future education, I have decided to invest my transfers in acquiring more goats in the upcoming year and beyond.

My husband was the sole breadwinner for our family until an accident rendered him unable to work. This sudden change made it challenging for me to meet our basic needs, including food and the education fees for our seven children. In an effort to improve our situation, I decided to open a food kiosk, but the profits were insufficient. Consequently, I found myself accumulating debts just to ensure our family's well-being. Fortunately, the monthly transfers I began receiving brought immense relief to our family. With the timely support, I was able to pay all seven of my children's school fees promptly, ensuring they could comfortably continue their education. This enabled me to direct my earnings from the food kiosk toward feeding our family, ensuring that they were well-nourished despite our difficult financial circumstances. I also used the transfers to hire oxen to plough my three acres of land. This aided in the early preparation of the farm, giving me hope for a bountiful harvest, which I believe will improve food security for my household.

Since I began receiving my monthly transfers, I am glad my family has witnessed a positive change. Because I have the assurance of my monthly transfers, I have been able to meet my family's nutritional and educational needs. Therefore, as I continue to receive my transfer, I hope to spend a portion on buying food and paying school fees for my children. I am so happy that my children often have ample time in school, even though I have a meager income. I had never thought that things would work for my good in that manner.

Since I do have an alternative source of income, I resorted to charcoal burning to raise money for my household support. My husband works as a security guard in town, but his income is always low to sustain my family's unending needs. When I received my transfer, my children had accumulated fee arrears. I, therefore, $30 on paying school fees for my seven school-going children. Two are in secondary school whereas five are in primary school. I am glad that they have been able to go to school comfortably. Courtesy of GiveDirectly's transfers, they rarely miss lessons. I used the remaining $4 to buy food; a packet of maize flour and 1/4kg of sugar. We had no food then, and I did not have an alternative way of acquiring food.

My son, Harrison, is set to enroll in high school next month. However, my husband and I have hit rock bottom in raising the necessary funds needed for his admission because we lack money. Besides, we have another child in college and five others in primary school, whose education equally needs our support. Honestly, the burden is overwhelming. So, right now, my plan is to pull enough funds to cover the transport, school uniform, stationery, and school fees for Harrison. Seeing him comfortably settled at his new school would greatly relieve me.

Two of our eight kids are in secondary school, four are in primary school, and the other two are still very small. We rely on my husband, who makes a meager living selling water in the town. Our children had left school at some time before we began getting the transfers because we could not afford to pay their tuition. They are now enrolled in school, which makes me happy because we were able to pay off the arrears thanks to the transfers. We used $20 from the transfers from the previous three months to pay the arrears they owed the school. Additionally, I spent $30 on a goat in the hopes of raising it and later selling some of its young to help pay for our kids' school expenses. I bought meals for my family out of the remaining $44. I appreciate the help, and I'm pleased of myself for helping my spouse with some of our domestic responsibilities.

My main source of income is charcoal burning, which earns me approximately KES 500 every week. This money barely covers a week's worth of food or school fees for my seven children in today's tough economy where commodity prices keep rising by the day. My wish has always been to keep livestock to supplement my income but have been unable to do so owing to financial constraints. The transfer presented me with the perfect chance to accomplish my ambition. That is why I spent the entire transfer amount on a KES 3,000 goat. When it reproduces and the herd grows, I can sell the offspring to generate money for household needs.

GiveDirectly has continued to change livelihoods in more ways than one can imagine. We have been able to sustain our families and moreso to improve all the projects we had set to accomplish all along .

Livestock rearing has been a long term dream I have always had and to tap to the skills, I have had to look after someone else's goats. I do sell charcoal to make that extra coin in addition to what my husband brings to the table as a gate keeper and together we have been blessed with seven children. The amount of KES 3000 received from GiveDirectly has encouraged me to pursue my dream goal and with it I have been able to purchase on goat with the hope of getting more as I receive future transfers.

Going about the daily chores around the homestead, I received a text message as I was fetching water. Since I am unable to read, my son did the honours and we all shared in the joy of receiving the amount. I sent him to the MPESA agent to withdraw the funds so that we could buy food for the house.

Having slept hungry for some days, I was able to now buy food for the family and more to that, pay tuition fees for my son who is in class eight and had been sent home for lacking the amount needed to attend the classes. He was able to go back to class the following day.

Receiving the KES 1200 has brought much joy and relief to the entire family in this tough economic times. I am a housewife who occasionally does farming in other peoples farms at a fee to atleast top up to the income we get. My husband is a watchman and the amount we receive, at times is not enough to sustain us through the month. We have seven kids together one whom is a candidate in class eight in the coming term and for him to be able to attend school, tuition fees had to be paid which I set aside KES 500 from the amount I received. The remaining KES 700, I bought food supplements ensuring we do not sleep hungry in the coming days.