"Securing a good job has been the biggest hardship I have faced in life. I work as a charcoal vendor, this job is energy-draining and earns me little coins of KES 350 per week which is not enough to cater for all my basic needs such as shelter and school fees. This has made my children not settle in school because they are always in and out due to fees balances. As a parent, I always feel bad because I am not fulfilling my responsibilities." (Occupation: Small business)

"Receiving this money means a better living for my family. I have always desired to embark on my cattle business after it failed 6 years ago because of financial constraints. I currently take the cattle on loan and depend on the profits (KES 2000 which I earn on a weekly basis ) to purchase food and educate my 3 children. This is however not enough to sustain all the family needs as the farms have been unproductive due to the harsh climate. I intend to use KES 40000 to boost my cattle business and use the rest to educate and purchase food for my family."

"If I receive this cash transfer from Givedirectly, I will build a four bedroom house that will provide shelter for my children and I. Right now my children and I live in a mud structure that is not in a good shape. My husband is not working and the money I make from the market I sell is not enough to build a decent house for my children and I. Also I will use some portion of the money to invest into my children's education. I think with proper education my children will not go through the type of hardship I am experiencing now." (Occupation: Small business)

"Things have been very hard for me so I have always been thinking about starting a business. But getting the money to even start a very little business has never been materialised because of my daily problems that involve finance. Although I don't have a business idea but I know that with my mindset, I will be able to do something good when I start a business. Every time I pray to God for a kind of help that will take me from this hardwork, and God has finally answered my prayers by sending GiveDirectly to our town to help us. So, when I start this business, it will make me to have more money to sustain my family, only if I'm serious. I know that I will not fail and go back to my same suffering."

"I live in my elder brother's house. This house leaks each time rain falls because there is no zinc in the house except the palm fronds. One day, I was at the farm and the rain fell, it wet my mattress that day. I don't always feel fine when the rain is falling and I'm not home. When I receive this transfer, I plan to build my own house that will have zinc on the roof and far better than where I am staying now. I had a business before and it broke down because we used to take money from there to feed ourselves. It used to help us at that time but since it broke down, it has not been easy for my family. If I get this money and build my house, if there will be any money that will be left, I will want to start a new business, mainly to sell clothes. With this business, I can be using my profit for other things that will better the lives of my husband and son."

"I have a very large family and finding money to sponsor them in school gives me a tough time. Though I have many children but seeing them going to school is my first plan for them. Sometimes, I do a lot of physical work on my farm to get money so that my children can go to school. I also have other means of getting money. I have my little business that I do and the little profit I can get from it has also been helping me but it is not enough to take care of my children's school fees. So, when I receive this money, I will spend it on my children's school fees. I know it will be a hard thing for me now but, in the future, I will reap what I am sowing now."

"I spent KES 37,000 to purchase an acre of land that was costing KES 60,000 in total. The remaining amount I am planning to clear with my second transfer. This is because the place where we are living does not belong to us. We decided it was better to purchase our land to avoid any land conflict that might arise in the future as well as to have an investment for the family. I also used KES 4,000 to purchase a mattress for my 4 kids. They were spending their night on mats that were not comfortable they were constantly complaining of backaches after sleep. In addition, I spent KES 4700 to clear the fee arrears of my 5 children who are still in primary school. The remaining amount assisted me in purchasing nice clothes for every member of the family since we were wearing torn clothes which were embarrassing." (Occupation: Small business)

"I was in my house relaxing while weaving a job that I had been depending on for the upkeep of my family. I was with my helper when I received the messages of my transfer on my phone. After checking he told me that it was the transfer from GiveDirecly. I felt very happy for receiving my transfer that would change my life. I thank GiveDirectly for coming with the program." (Occupation: Small business)

"The happiest day of my life comes in so many ways: When my husband divorced me, two of my children were taken by sister son, for better shelter and education. And when day break, I see food for me and my children to eat, no trouble, I'm also happy. Lastly, I am one of the happiest person in this village since Givedirectly came in this village to give us cash transfer, that which I give Allah the glory that he has answered my prayers by taking my worries away. So, I will used 60% of the money to build my house for me and my children, and the balance 40% to do business in order to give my children good education."

"I was in my house preparing breakfast for my kids, I had left my phone on charge at my neighbor's house. At around 8 am I went to pick my phone so that I can receive any updates on my phone. After switch it on I realized I had received my transfer. I felt very happy for receiving my transfer. I had to wait for my spouse to share the good news with him. He had gone to look for casual labor around the village." (Occupation: Small business)