"This chicken project is the big picture project for me. I own over 70 chicken and these are in good health due to the way we feed them and make sure they have medicine whenever need arises. I do not want to start on another project before this actually starts to bring in a profit. My aim is to continue investing in this chicken business until it can stand on its own then maybe do other things after. I want the earnings to help me take care of my children in terms of food and education. My wife's business is also doing well and I hope it grows furteher."

"Since my spouse passed away eleven years ago, life has been incredibly unfair to me. Due to the never-ending pain, I have been sobbing nonstop. Since my house collapsed a few years ago, I used to spend almost all of my days at my son's place, both at night and during the day. Due to their unstable sources of income, my children were also unable to acquire the materials needed to erect one. Oh! It was an uncomfortable and stressful scenario. As a result, I spent over $250 on iron, sheets, poles, and other materials after receiving my first cash transfer. I am so glad and overjoyed to be the proud owner of a respectable two-bedroom house. After that was done, I paid the $60 in school fees for my three grandchildren, who attend the neighbourhood primary school. I've always wanted to see them succeed in life as they grow into decent individuals. However, given that I have health issues (hypertension) and am jobless, this was quite a challenge for me. We are grateful to GiveDirectly for giving them fresh beginnings and hope. I bought enough food with the remaining money. Now that I don't have to go without food or drink porridge to call it a day, I feel relieved. I am now healthier since I need to eat a balanced diet considering that I depend on medicines to survive every day."

"I am old and struggling a lot on my own, my legs are feeble and I have difficulty walking. I fend for myself and a sickly daughter, Marina. She has been sick for the last 3 years, she has a cancerous leg and she goes through a lot of pain, she cannot move at all and has to be assisted to do everything. It gives me sleepless nights to take care of her, she sometimes cry uncontrollably because of the pain and request to be taken to the hospital but I am helpless since I do not have the money to take her for medication in Eldoret Referral Hospital. I have been treating her with traditional medicine but there has been no improvement. Day after day, I have massive worries and wrestle with hopelessness and the thoughts of ever being able to take my daughter to the hospital. The 3 years have been hell, unbearable, and miserable. I am poor with the state of my sick daughter"

"The epilepsy condition of my wife has been my headache over the last 4 years now. Imagine travelling to Kilifi town every month to pick her the medicines! This has been costly to me because sometimes I fail to travel due to lack of transport. This is the moment when I feel so painful as a husband. My desire has been to own a motorbike that will act as my means of transport to ease the burden. With this money, I intend to spend utmost $300 to purchase a second hand motorbike. This will facilitate my transpiration which has not been an easy task. Also, I will spend the remaining part of the first transfer to construct a spacious shade to operate my garage business. This will spare me from any disruption in case it rains. On the other hand, my intention is to own a land because where I currently live belongs to my cousin. My plan is to buy a half an acre of land outside our town and this will give me the power of ownership. To estimate, I will spend the entire remaining amount ($500) to ensure this dreams comes to reality. Hence, this is generally what receiving this money means to me."

"I intend to allocate a significant portion of my monthly stipend towards purchasing medicine that has effectively alleviated my pain. Additionally, I bear the responsibility of financially supporting my two children's educational expenses, specifically their school fees. The monthly stipends present a valuable opportunity to promptly settle their fees, enabling uninterrupted learning and ensuring their success in exams with flying colors."

"Due to my advanced age, I am unable to actively contribute to supporting my family. Instead, that responsibility falls upon my son, who relies on occasional jobs at a distribution company. Unfortunately, the money he earns barely covers the daily food needs of his seven children, his wife, and myself. There are times when we go without meals due to a lack of funds to purchase food. That's why, whenever I receive cash transfers, my priority is to obtain food for our family. Recently, I used $24 of the cash transfer to purchase maize flour. This ensured that my son had enough time to earn more money from his jobs. Thankfully, our family has never experienced food shortages so far. Additionally, as I have grown older, I have encountered several health issues that require constant medication for proper management. These ailments include high blood pressure, which necessitates regular treatment. So, I spent $10 to acquire medicine that has served me to date. Although the condition is not completely contained, am glad that the medicine strengthens me to be able to walk. "

"My son works as a casual laborer and since covid-19, he has been staying at home without any job. Early this year 2023, he got a job at Mombasa and earned approximately $200. That money brought happiness to me and the family because I could get food before taking my medicine unlike before."

"Charcoal selling is my primary source of income, as my farm is no longer productive due to unfavorable climatic conditions in our area. However, the income from charcoal sales is insufficient to meet all my family's needs. Thanks to the April transfers, I was able to pay my son's $6 school fee arrears, which enabled him to return to school and take his end-of-term exams after missing a week of classes. With $15, I bought a sack of maize that will feed my family for the next two weeks. Previously, we struggled to have three meals a day due to financial constraints. Additionally, I invested $8 in purchasing two hens that I consider a future investment since they will multiply and increase my wealth. Lastly, I spent $5 on medicine after falling ill and being unable to work. I am grateful that the medicine I purchased with the transfer money has helped me recover and return to my normal self."

"My top priority is to get my daughter proper medical attention. Despite receiving all the required transfers, I still rely on the income of my children who work as casual laborers to care for my daughter. I currently don't have any concrete plans to complete till my daughter starts the medication. So, if I get the money, I'll use it to buy medicine for my sick daughter."

"As a peasant farmer, my two-acre farm is my primary source of income. Unfortunately, over the past three years, my farm's yearly harvest has dwindled, leaving me feeling helpless. Additionally, my health has taken a turn for the worse, and I am no longer physically capable of working on the farm. As a result, I now rely heavily on my two sons, who are casual laborers, to provide for my basic needs, such as food, clothing, and medical expenses. It pains me to know that, with my current health status, I will continue to depend on my sons, who already have their own families to support. When I received my March transfer, I immediately spent $8 on purchasing medicine for my constant headaches, muscle, and back pains, which have become a daily routine for me. Although the medication provides temporary relief, the conditions soon return. I also purchased food worth $16, which will sustain me for the next two weeks as I wait for my sons to assist me. The remaining $10, I saved in a savings group for emergency purposes, given the uncertainty of my health. It is disheartening to be in this position, but I am grateful for the monthly stipend, which provides some financial relief, especially in times of dire need."