I aspire to build a new house as our current one is in a dilapidated condition. The iron sheet roof has corroded over time, and the mud walls have started to collapse, particularly due to recent rains. When it rains, it leaks water, making the space damp. My husband, as the breadwinner, is facing challenges in raising money to build a new house because his casual household chores cannot provide beyond the basics like food. Therefore, I have been saving through a merry-go-round club to accumulate funds for buying building materials such as iron sheets and building poles. In the coming year, I wish to have completed this exercise and am relying on the transfers to make it possible.

The cash transfers have relieved my husband of the burden he bears in providing for our family through casual household chores in town. This is because I am now able to contribute financially to the needs of our four children. From the recent transfers, I used $34 to purchase new school uniforms, school shoes, and books for my son, who was joining junior high school. I am happy that he acquired all the necessary materials and commenced his new school without any challenges. I also paid $10 for the school fees of his three younger siblings in lower primary. Afterward, I saved $10 through a self-help group intending to accumulate enough savings to build a new house. The roof of our current house has corroded over time, allowing water in during rains, and the mud walls have been damaged by recent rainfall. The savings are specifically for buying building materials. I also invested $5 in buying a hen, increasing my flock number to four. I am confident that as they breed, I can sell them to cover immediate expenses, reducing reliance on my husband. The remaining amount went towards purchasing food, especially during the Christmas season.

My current house has a deteriorating rooftop that leaks whenever it rains. I am in the process of planning a renovation to restore its stability. This renovation project will involve the replacement of at least 26 iron sheets, along with the necessary timber and nails. To facilitate this, I have recently become a member of a merry-go-round savings group, where I will set aside a portion of my funds from each transfer. When it's my turn, I will use the accumulated money, along with my personal savings, to purchase the required materials and begin the renovation. My ultimate goal is to bring my house back to a decent condition, ensuring that I no longer have to worry about leaks during rainy weather.

I sell snacks in schools and on the streets, which has been the sole means of supporting my children's education. However, receiving financial assistance from GiveDirectly has made a significant difference, providing me with peace of mind. During times when my business struggled, it would have been extremely challenging to keep my children in school. The outstanding school fees could have become unmanageable. I'm delighted that my three children, one in high school and two in primary school, are now comfortably attending school because I was able to pay their fees promptly with the recent $50 transfers I received. In addition to covering school fees, I allocated $20 to purchase three chickens, which I am currently raising. To me, this poultry venture is a reliable investment that can come in handy during financial difficulties. I'm also pleased to have acquired a solar panel, even though I had to make a deposit and pay some installments in advance. This solar panel now provides lighting for my household, eliminating the need to rely on my neighbors' electricity to charge my phone every three days.

My primary goal is to own a better house that provides comfort and security for me and my family. Currently, we reside in a dilapidated house that poses several issues, including leaking during rainfall. To achieve this goal, I plan to be saving a portion of my monthly transfers and once I am relieved of the burden of paying school fees for my secondary school child in the next three years, I plan to initiate the construction process, ensuring that our new house becomes a reality.

Through GiveDirectly, I received a direct cash transfer that provided a lifeline for my family. Struggling with school fee arrears for my three children, one in secondary school and two in primary school, I felt hopeless as I had no means to generate income while being occupied with lactation. Even meeting our basic food needs became a challenge. However, the money I received from GiveDirectly changed everything. With $14.70, I was able to purchase much-needed food for my family, and the remaining $20 was used to reduce the outstanding school fee balance. I cannot adequately express my gratitude for the support I received during that difficult time.

In order to get enough money and make sure my kids attended school, I used to hawk around in the blazing sun selling samosas. Sometimes I would go home empty-handed, forcing us to use my funds in the process. We were left with nothing after eating up all of my savings and I was compelled to stay at home because I could not afford to purchase stocks for my business. As soon as I began getting transfers, I gained confidence that I would be able to save enough money to continue working. Moreover, I want to get some chicken,which I can easily turn a profit on when they hatch.

I am a mother of five children and all I ever desire is to see my children do well and succeed in their lives.The moment I received my transfer, the first thing that came into my mind was to take my children to school. I spent $30 on their shopping and school fees and the remaining amount of $4 I bought food for my children on that day.

The organization is giving aid to the less fortunate in society. I am happy and thankful

I was at home when I received the transfer. I was happy and the first thing that come to my mind was to pay the $20 debt I had in school fees. I have five children, two did not complete their education due to lack of school fees and three are in school. I burn, package, and sell charcoal at the market where I get a profit of $4 a sack. I used the recent transfer to pay school fees which was $15, water at $5, and $10 for food.

I was very excited when I first received the transfer. It brought the hope of taking my children back to school after they had stayed back home for 3 days due to the tuition fees arrears. The money came as a surprise and I thanked God for it.

Paying for my children's school fees is the biggest difference in my daily life. It has been a challenge raising the fees since I do not make much from selling charcoal which is my only source of income. My children had not gone to school two days before the transfers due to the arrears, and I am glad the money from GiveDirectly came on time. I am hoping to clear the fee balance in two months.

I spent KES 2000 of the transfer to pay off part of the school fees arrears for my three primary school children. My charcoal burning business has not been doing well for sometimes, and I was unable to pay the school fence which piled up to KES. 5000. I am glad that through the transfers, I was able to reduce the arrears and my children were accepted back into school.