"Before receiving the transfer, I used to live in a small grass-thatched house. My privacy had been limited since the room acted as a kitchen, sitting and a bedroom at the same time. Due to this, my children used to sleep in my one of my in-laws kitchen. When I received my transfer, I spent around $400 to build a more spacious house. With this, we will at least enjoy some privacy and my children will also sleep at home. My son sat for his final primary school examinations last year and was joining high school. He had been called to join a performing boarding school since he had passed well but since I knew that I would not afford paying for his school fees after receiving my two transfers from GiveDirectly, I decided to take him to the nearest day school. My transfers came in handy as I was able to spend $100 to pay for his fees. Using the remaining $47, I bought some food for my family."

"I spent part of the money I received from GiveDirectly on building a better house for my family. We live in a small mud house which is leaking from inside. The house is so old and can fall down anytime. I also paid school fees for my children in various schools. The rest of the money I bought food for the family. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has changed my living standard."

"My last born son finished class eight in 2018 and scored 327 marks. He was offered a chance in Shimo la Tewa secondary school, one of the highly performing National school in the Coast Province of Kenya. Due to my financial capabilities, and being the breadwinner to my family having been left behind by my late husband, his desires to join the school did not see the light of the day. However, being a mother who wants to offer the best to her son, I solicited funds from my daughter's in-law who loaned me 10000 Kenya Shilling and as well, applied for a slot in the nearby school, Shaka Hola secondary school. I budgeted for him, bought for him a single pair of school uniform, and all the other basic materials needed in the school. I also started the annual school fee with 1000 Kenya Shilling. Thereafter, I brest for a tougher time, being obliged to repay the loan and at the same time source for more school fees for my son's academic continuity. I decided to venture into small business of charcoal selling. This has pushed me for long but now, with the drought in our region, even charcoal selling is becoming hard. My son is frequently sent back home for fees. He was recently sent home and I had no option but to take a 90 kilogram sack of charcoal as payment in kind to the school principal. So, my son's education has been the biggest headache and receiving this money, will mean an assurance of completion of my son's secondary school level. I will clear his fee arrears of 34000 Kenya shilling."

"I have been yearning to sleep in a decent house for so many years but because of the financial constraints, I couldn't afford to buy the necessary materials. Therefore after receiving the money, I had to fulfill the dream. I bought materials like iron sheets for $90, building poles at $56, nails and timber at $34 respectively. In addition to that, I gave the mason $90 as his labor charge. I then cleared hospital bills for my two sons who had undergone circumcision with a cost of $36. On top of that, I paid school fees for my children a total of $48 who are in primary schools. With the remaining amount of money, I bought enough food for the family and it's now a relief because we are now taking a two meals which was not achievable during those days."

"We are subsistence farmers, why do I say so? Because the amount of produce that we get cannot even sustain my family and pay my children school fees. With this transfer, I will be able to pay Ksh 40,000 for my daughter who is joining college and ksh 15,000 for one in secondary school. We intend to buy a cow to add to our herd tlin order to boost milk production."

"From the onset of Covid-19, my business of selling vegetables and second hand clothes (mitumba) was ruined as I couldn't get my usual customers whom I used to serve them, so being a single mother and I have children who are in school,life has been tough to me. This money from Givedirectly will be shoulder to lean on to me, because I will be able to pay for school fees and use the remaining to build spacious house for me and my family. I plan to spend 600$ to build spacious house of atleast 3 rooms and spend the remaining for payment of school fees."

"Receiving this money would mean better and safe water for my family. It would also mean a better roof for my house and new furniture. I have spent all my life here toiling to pay school fees for my 4 children, luckily the last one completed school last year and we have no obligation anymore. In a year I was supposed to pay up to USD. 450 so I really struggled doing casual jobs in the neighborhood. This affected our development because our shelter does not have a good roof, this one is leaky and it cannot allow us to harvest rainwater. We would therefore like to build a better house and purchase a tank for USD. 600. The remaining USD. 400 we'll buy more livestock that we had sold to cater for school fees."

"Receiving this money would mean a relief from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our family has been affected to a great extent since March 2020 when schools were closed because I am a teacher then working in the private sector so our employer stopped paying us immediately schools were closed. I had a bank loan by then which I had taken to build this house for my family so I had to no option but to repay despite having no income. I sold all the livestock I had to cater for the same. With Givedirectly transfers then I would like to pay KES. 40,000 as school fees for my two children, since having no job I have accumulated that amount in arrears since schools resumed in January 2021. I would also like to use KES. 50,000 to buy a dairy cow, this will support me earn a little income from milk sale as well as providing food for my children. The remaining KES.18,000 I would like to save so that it can help sustain our daily needs as a family before I get a job."

"I will be able to clear school fees for my child who is in secondary school and will also be able to deposit for the coming term. This term the school owes me 150 dollars. I also have unfinished house so i will use some to finish my house. I need 150 dollars to complete. Sheep are good an breeds faster. I would like to buy 3 for starter this will cost around 150 dollars too. The remaining amount I will buy food for my family since our area is prone to drought so there is food shortages."

"Receiving this money means food security for my family. I have a 4 acre piece of land for agriculture. During rain season I cultivate three acres . I do pay Ksh . 6000 to my neighbor who has oxen for agriculture. He does it for me after he is done with his piece of land. This makes me sometimes fail to get good harvest due to late cultivation. I harvest six bags of 90kg each from the three acres of land. This lasts for five months. I want to buy two oxen and a yoke at a cost of Ksh. 50000. I will use Ksh. 30000 to buy two cows for dairy farming. I will also use the remaining amount to pay school fees for my children."