"I have seen a biggest difference since I had my shep which will multiply, I have also bought my son school uniform who had been wearing primary clothes while other people's are wearing secondary clothes, I had no any other alternatives, I had chickens but they were all swept away by the floods and I have leased my farm too to plant maize, you have removed me from one level to another. "

"For about nine months, my son had been seriously ill with chronic typhoid, undergoing multiple surgeries. The medical bills piled up so high that we had to sell nearly everything at home just to cover the costs. We sold our chickens, livestock, and even organized numerous fundraisers to raise money. Life became incredibly stressful. My husband works as a watchman guarding an office in Nairobi, but his salary is so small that it could barely make a dent in the medical bills. To make matters worse, our area flooded, and my house was destroyed, forcing me to relocate to a new place. Adjusting to life in this new location has been very challenging.When I received the cash transfer, I finally felt a sense of relief and calm. I immediately sent $50 to my husband, who has been taking care of our sick son. With part of the remaining money, I used $50 to pay school fees for my five children. Sometimes we get bursaries to help with the fees, but I also rely on farming to sell crops and cover their education. However, farming has been difficult recently due to the floods, so this money came at the right time.Additionally, my house had no chairs, so I saw it as a good idea to use $70 to buy a sofa set. This way, I can focus on other pressing needs when I receive the next transfer. Finally, I spent the last $30 on food. Getting food for my family has always been a struggle because I rely on casual jobs and burning charcoal, which is unpredictable."

"With the unconditional cash transfer, I was able to make a significant difference in our lives. I used $50 to pay for my children's school fees, ensuring their education continues without interruption. I also bought six chickens for $20, planning to sell them gradually to help cover future school expenses as they multiply. Additionally, I purchased a bed for $50 and chairs for $40, which has made our home much more comfortable. I spent $40 on clothes so that my children could have new outfits and feel happy, as they had very few clothes before.Life has been challenging since separating from my husband ten years ago. I manage everything on my own while also trying to balance charcoal burning and farming. Unfortunately, this year's farming was a complete loss due to floods that destroyed my crops. The floods also took away six of my chickens, further straining our situation.Despite these hardships, the cash transfer has provided a much-needed boost. It has allowed me to address some urgent needs and bring a bit of relief and comfort to my children. Even though the struggle continues, knowing that we have essential items and a small source of future income from the chickens gives me hope for a better future."

"I now feel a sense of relief and comfort. Before, life was extremely difficult. I used to sleep on sacks, which left me feeling exhausted every day. But now, I sleep on a proper mattress, and it has made a huge difference in how I feel physically and emotionally. I thank God for that blessing. My family is happier, and we have a bit more stability. The floods had destroyed my house and washed away some of my chickens, even taking my previous mattress. It was a tough time, but with the cash support, I’ve been able to rebuild small parts of our life, settle bills, and make our home more comfortable again. The support has brought us hope and a chance to recover from the damage."

"My goal in the coming year and beyond is to focus on purchasing more hens with a significant portion of my subsequent transfers. As they multiply, I plan to sell some, providing an alternative source of income. The profits from selling chickens are much better compared to what I earn from making charcoal, and raising chickens is less labor-intensive. Additionally, I want to ensure I have enough food for my own consumption since my farm doesn't currently provide sufficient yield. The transfers will help me secure enough food and meet my needs. I am deeply appreciative of the financial support from the transfers, which is helping me improve my life."

"I’m planning to build my house, and to achieve this goal, I’ve been setting aside part of my monthly transfer. This month, I saved $60 in our chama group specifically for this project. I also paid $15 toward the school fees of my three children, dividing the amount to cover their outstanding balances. Since we were out of food when I received these transfers, I spent $13 on groceries for the family. Additionally, I used $10 for my medication because I was sick, and I purchased a chicken for domestic rearing for $4. I really appreciate GiveDirectly for this financial support."

"Upon receiving $180 from GiveDirectly, I took time to carefully plan and prioritize my needs. I allocated $90 to buy food, a timely relief, as the transfer came just after I had been severely affected by the floods. I wasn't alone—almost everyone in the village suffered losses. Personally, my farm and chickens were swept away. When we returned from the camp where we had sought refuge, I found there was no food, no farm to harvest from, and no casual jobs to earn money. We were starving. Thanks to the money from GiveDirectly, I could buy enough food to last my family for two months. Now, we eat three full meals daily, something we couldn’t do before. After securing food, I decided to invest in a sheep, spending $55. I see this as a long-term investment that will multiply over time, ensuring that when my children advance to secondary school, I will have something to rely on for their education. With the remaining money, I bought chairs, as we previously had nothing to sit on, not even for visitors. Now, I live comfortably, full of happiness and gratitude."

"Life became hard for my family after the flood. It took away my three chickens and ruined my bed, leaving me feeling very upset. But I found hope in my three sheep, knowing that once they give birth, I’ll have milk and won’t need to buy it, which will save us money. I believe that as my sheep multiply, I will improve my situation and won’t return to this low point. The GiveDirectly money has helped so much, and I am very grateful for the difference it has made in my life."

"I have three children in high school and had total arrears of about $300 for them, with balances of $110, $130, and $70, respectively. My plan was to save from my business and gradually reduce their fees, as I had been doing before. Unfortunately, my business has been struggling lately, especially after the floods struck our community. Many people in the area, whose main source of income was farming, suffered huge losses, and since they are my target customers, I was badly affected as well. I had just restocked my shop before the floods, but sadly, I lost a bag of rice, 10 kg of cooking oil, four cartons of milk, and six bags of maize from my posho mill. I also lost over 50 chickens. These losses were a huge setback for me, as they were my primary sources of income to support my kids, particularly in paying their school fees. Being a single mom, this hit me hard. However, I was fortunate that the GiveDirectly cash came at the right time. I spent the entire $200 to reduce their fees, paying $70, $60, and $70, respectively. Now I have a balance of $100 and I’m planning to start reducing it next week."

"My husband has been unwell for some time, and since I am unable to work due to old age, we both rely on our son, who does casual jobs to support us. When I received the latest three transfers from GiveDirectly, I knew I had to make wise decisions to secure our future. I decided to continue investing in livestock, as it has proven to be a valuable asset. I used $30 to buy a goat and $12 to purchase three chickens. Now, I am proud to say that I have seven goats, all thanks to the transfers. Livestock is not only a source of income but also a means of providing for our daily needs. Education is something I deeply value, so I was glad to assist my grandchild with $4 to pay for his examination fees. Seeing him return to school with a smile on his face filled me with joy. Another important purchase was a mattress for $40, as I had been sleeping on a mat for quite some time. Now, I sleep much better, and it has improved my well-being. With the remaining $16, I covered my husband's medication costs after he fell ill. These transfers have truly made a difference in our lives, helping us not only to survive but to live with dignity and hope for a better tomorrow."