In the coming year, my main goal is to use the GiveDirectly cash transfers on rebuilding our house, which has become too small for our growing family. It's equally in a bad state, whenever it rains, water seeps in from the ground. If all goes well with my current business, I will open a saloon to diversify my sources of income—an endeavor I've long desired. The thought of the transfers fills me with boundless gratitude, and each time I receive the cash, my joy knows no bounds.

With the GiveDirectly cash transfers I received over the last three months, I invested $50 in my business. I purchased additional stock and diversifyed the products to attract more customers. Since then, profit margins have significantly increased, and I now earn $5 in profits per day, a significant improvement from the $1 I used to make. This extra income has been crucial in meeting our daily household needs, ensuring we no longer go to bed hungry, especially during times when my husband faces challenges at work and returns home without any earnings. My second priority was to pay school fees for my two children who recently turned three and are in school. I spent $52 for school fees and all their necessary requirements. Given my husband's unpredictable income as a motorbike rider, sometimes barely reaching $3 a day, the GiveDirectly transfer has alleviated the burden of financial stress, allowing us to provide for our family with ease. We are immensely grateful for this support.

I am a mother of two children, and at the moment, they are not attending school because they are not of age. However, I am proud to say that I plan to enroll them in school next year. Additionally, I have aspirations to join a hairdressing course, which will equip me with the skills needed to secure a good job. This will enable me to solve our family's financial needs and help my husband who works as a motorcycle driver and is the primary breadwinner, taking care of everything.

I am currently engaged in selling fish, and recently, I ventured into the charcoal business. I initiated this new venture with an initial investment of $15, recognizing it as a promising opportunity since I'm the sole charcoal vendor in my area. The business is showing positive signs of growth, and I have confidence that it will thrive over time. With the weather forecast predicting rain, I wisely allocated $10 to hire someone else's cow to till the land where I farm. This decision will ensure a successful farming season. As for the remaining $9, I used it to purchase clothing for my family.

Embracing the artistry of hairdressing, I once embarked on a promising journey. However, the weight of school fees forced a temporary halt to my aspirations. Undeterred, I am now resolute in saving every penny to reignite my passion for hairdressing. Fueled by an unwavering desire, I am prepared to make sacrifices and explore new avenues for income. With a vision of becoming a skilled stylist, I am determined to overcome financial obstacles and set forth on the path that leads to a vibrant future in the world of hairdressing.

As a devoted mother of two, I took the responsibility of providing for my family. To ensure our nourishment, I spent $10.50 on food. Thanks to GiveDirectly we no longer go for days without food like we used to. I purchased maize seeds for $7.50 and planted them, hoping for a bountiful harvest and although my attempt to raise chickens ended in disappointment, I still took a step of faith and bought two chicken at $8 praying that they hatch. I also invested $5 in shoes for my children's comfort and safety. With the remaining $3, I bought clothing to keep them clothed and protected. Each decision reflected my unwavering love and dedication as a mother, as I navigated the challenges and joys of nurturing my family.

I now do a small business if plaiting people but I feel with more skill I could make more money and start another business to sustain my family. I would like to use my GD transfers to facilitate my schooling. My house is also not in the best of states. Half my roof is iron sheets and the other half is thatched, I would like to improve this. I also want to expand my house from one room to a three roomed house so I can have a kitchen a living room space and the sleeping space separate. I have so far bought five chicken using GD transfers which I hope to increase as the year comes along so I can have so many that I can sell and buy myself a goat.

Givedirectly have been of much benefit to me, I started a business selling local dried fish with GD transfers. I started with one tin of local sardines at @1.5 dollars and have added $3 worth of sardines in January and February. During the Christmas holidays I was able to buy clothes for my children at $21 and I got myself a pair of shoes at $2. I have also been able to buy food for the family in the past three months which is a most important part of our lives. I bought one bag of flour in December at $2 in January I got 6 bags of flour and vegetables which was $15 In February I however felt I could get more if I bought maize rather than flour which I got at $23. I have also added chicken to my coup, I now have 5 chicken which I got 3 in December $2.5 each and two in January at $3 each.

Givedirectly has saved the village from poverty and starvation during this hard time of drought. Sending us money directly to our accounts and letting us decide how to use the transfer has been a blessing.

Before receiving the transfer, I owned a business selling sardines. The business was generating a profit of $1 a day which was not enough to take care of my family. My husband works as a rider transporting people from one place to another. In the evening we combine our income and use it to buy food and water for the day. Givedirectly money has helped me expand my business, I stocked tuna fish which has been giving me a profit of $5 a day. This money has helped me buy enough food for my family.

I was sound asleep when the sound of my phone ringing out loudly woke me up. Upon checking the message, I realized I had received my first transfer. At first, I could not believe my eyes. I rubbed my eyes severally just to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. I woke up my husband and shared the good news with him. We both felt thrilled and knelt beside the bed and whispered a short thanksgiving prayer to the Lord.

I felt disturbed and had no peace of mind while walking through the village and people talking about me in low tones. I accumulated lots of debts from friends and could not pay them at the agreed time. Paying off some debts I had played a significant part in changing my life. People no longer talk bad about me and I feel good.

Three months ago, my husband was laid off from work after the owner shut down operations. Since then life became tough, with my husband yet to find a new job. Often we are forced to sleep on empty stomachs because of a lack of money to buy food. I have some skills in plaiting hair which I used to earn a living and support the family. I earn very little (KES 200 per week) which is enough to buy food for one day. Therefore, when I received my transfer, I paid off the debt (KES 320) I owed a friend who step in and helped me when I had no food. In addition, I bought new clothes for my children because most of their clothes were worn out. Finally, I bought a little food worth KES 250 and spent KES 100 on starting a small business selling “Omena’.