I used my second transfer to build a house for my children. Our main house is a one-room slope-roof house, but I still feel the space is limited. My husband and I sleep in the house, but when we have visitors, it becomes a nightmare. If the visitor is a woman, she has to sleep with the children, and if it’s a man, I have to sleep with the children while he shares the room with my husband. This arrangement can be hectic, so I’m planning to construct an additional room when I get the money. Hopefully, I’ll be able to do so and relieve myself of the stress.

GiveDirectly excels by providing a significant amount of money that enables you to take a meaningful step forward, allowing you to accomplish much more compared to other support, where you're given only $20-$30. This support has had a substantial impact on the community, especially in areas like livestock production, crop production, housing, and education. Before enrollment, officers held a community meeting where they informed us on various topics, including security measures for handling the cash, which minimized theft, and wise spending, which helped people manage their money effectively. This approach also promoted peace within our families, as we were able to mutually agree on who would receive the money without disagreements. I can't see any areas where this organization needs improvement. I love how it operates without discrimination and would recommend continuing with the same approach.

When I received my final transfer, my daughter had been sent home for several days due to unpaid fees. I had arrears of $340, and I used $200 from the transfer to reduce the debt. Raising fees has been a struggle; I’ve relied on fundraising, sometimes crop production, which is unpredictable, and occasionally charcoal sales. With my second transfer, I bought 15 chicks with the aim of diversifying my income, but I didn’t have anywhere else to keep them but in our house. With my final transfer, I spent $60 to buy a ready-made chicken coop.  In order to remember GiveDirectly's support, I bought a sheep for $45. This will serve as a lasting memory in my home. I had other needs, but since I had received all the transfers, I wanted to buy something that would be a permanent reminder in my home. I will keep the sheep, allowing the number to grow and ensuring their continuity. Additionally, I spent $60 on food. I had nothing when I received the cash, and since it was during the dry season, putting food on the table was almost impossible. Further, I used the remaining amount to buy clothes for my five children and my husband. We hadn't bought clothes in the last four years. We’ve been surviving with the old clothes we had, valuing the gift of life above all. Thank you, GiveDirectly; your support will forever be remembered in our home.

Looking ahead to the coming year and beyond, my primary focus is to start a sheep-rearing venture. I intend to use the funds from my third transfer to turn this aspiration into reality. While it may demand some patience, I am confident that with determination and persistence, I will overcome the challenges that hindered me in the past due to financial constraints and successfully achieve this goal.

The field officers displayed politeness and addressed our concerns in a respectful manner, a gesture that significantly contributed to our acceptance of the program. Moreover, the unconditional nature of the transfer enabled us to use the funds according to our individual needs. Thus far, I have not observed any aspects that require correction or improvement in the program.

I work as a hairdresser, and my husband takes on various casual jobs. We have nine children, three of whom are already adults. Together, my husband and I decided to allocate our transfer towards constructing a decent house for our children, as the one they were living in was made of mudwalls and had a thatched roof. We utilized $350 for the construction and later spent $10 on essential foodstuffs. Achieving this was previously challenging due to financial instability, given the unpredictable nature of our income. The assistance from GiveDirectly has significantly improved our living standards, and we are deeply grateful for the support that has made a lasting impact on our family.

At precisely 3:14 p.m., while I was diligently working at the bustling salon, a message notification lit up my phone screen. With eager anticipation, I unlocked my device to discover a life-altering Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. Overwhelmed with joy, I realized that my long-standing financial struggles were about to find respite. The weight of overdue bills and the anguish of my daughter's temporary expulsion from school due to unpaid fees would soon be lifted. As I looked at that message, a glimmer of hope emerged, and I couldn't help but smile, for I knew that, thanks to GiveDirectly's unconditional cash transfer, my daughter would soon be on her way back to school, and a brighter future beckoned.

The most significant change in my daily life since I started receiving unconditional cash transfers from GiveDirectly has been the ability to send my daughter back to school after she had been forced to stay home for several days. My deepest aspiration has always been to ensure that all six of my children receive a quality education, and it used to break my heart to see them at home most of the time, missing out on the opportunities they deserved. Thanks to GiveDirectly's support, I can now witness a brighter future unfolding before us. I am incredibly grateful for this immense transformation, for it's not just about my daughter's education but the hope it has kindled in our entire family. This program has not only given her the chance to learn but has reignited our collective dreams and ambitions, providing us with a renewed sense of purpose and optimism that, in the long run, will undoubtedly lead to a brighter and more secure future for all of my children.

Paying my daughter's school fees of $100 was my top priority when I received the recent unconditional cash transfer. She's in Form 1, and her education has been disrupted time and again due to pending fee balances. As a mother, it always pained me to see her miss out on learning opportunities because my ultimate aim has been to provide all my children with a quality education. I knew that paying for her education was investing in her future, and I was determined to ensure she had the chance to excel academically. I also used a part of the funds to buy building poles and thread, amounting to $50. The purpose behind this purchase was to begin the construction of a new house for my family. Currently, my five children and I are crammed into a small, dilapidated house that is on the verge of collapsing. This new house is not just a structure; it represents safety and comfort for my children. With the remaining amount, I purchased food to sustain my family of six. My spouse and I both rely on low-wage, casual jobs, and securing daily meals has been a recurring challenge. This additional financial support has been a tremendous relief for both of us. It feels like we're finally taking the first steps toward improving our family's living conditions and ensuring that our children have a stable and conducive environment to grow and study.