"My house is currently a small, one-room structure with a sloped roof and old iron sheets. My plan is to renovate it by installing a modern roof with better-quality iron sheets. I also want to expand the house to make it more spacious and comfortable for my family. Right now, I am in a better financial position than before, and I believe it is important to reflect this improvement in my home. I plan to use part of the proceeds from my upcoming tomato harvest to fund the renovations. Additionally, I will allocate some of the money to plant maize on another piece of land that I have already prepared, ensuring a steady source of income for the future."

"My current house is in poor condition; although it has an iron roof, the roof has developed holes, so when it rains, water leaks in on us. Because of this, I'm working hard to build a better home. I'm glad I’ve been able to finish purchasing building materials with the help of these transfers. From my most recent transfer, I saved $24 toward reaching the amount needed to pay the builder so they can begin construction. I also spent $44 on food and water for my family, as we had none. It’s been a long time since we had rain, so we have to buy water since our local sources have dried up. I used the remaining $34 to contribute to our family gathering fund, as my relatives organized a get-together, and everyone was asked to contribute to support the celebrations. I am deeply grateful for the support from GiveDirectly, which has significantly reduced our financial burden."

"The roofing of my house was destroyed by the wind some years back, but I have been unable to repair it due to financial constraints. Now that I will benefit from Give Directly, I will be able to repair it using part of the first transfer and pay school fees using the remaining cash. I am truly grateful for this unwavering support from GiveDirectly and am now hopeful about the future of my family."

"I am a father of five, working hard through casual jobs to support my family. With the last three transfers I received, I made sure to spend the money wisely to improve our living conditions. First, I used $68 to complete the iron-roofted house I began constructing back in August last year using the GiveDirectly transfers. Before this, we were living in a grass-thatched house, and I was determined to give my family a safer and more comfortable place to stay. With this amount, I was able to finish building a two-room mud wall house, and all that's left now is to fix the windows. I feel proud and happy about this achievement, as it’s a huge step towards providing a better future for my children. In addition to the house, I used $27 to buy a strong door for security purposes. This was a necessary step to keep my family safe, especially now that we have a more permanent home. Finally, I used the remaining $7 to buy some food to keep us nourished. These transfers have helped me make significant improvements in our lives, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to provide a stable and secure environment for my family."

"Following the floods this year, our main house was completely destroyed, leaving us with only the kitchen, which was also severely damaged but not entirely collapsed. We ended up with nowhere to sleep, and together with my seven children, we had no choice but to go to my mother-in-law's house every evening. She has only one room, and with her two children also staying there, it was incredibly challenging for all of us to squeeze into such a small space. When I received my second transfer of $435, I immediately spent it on buying iron sheets, poles, labor, and transportation of these materials to build a shelter for my family. I constructed a one-room house with iron sheet roofing and walls, and now we no longer need to crowd at my mother-in-law's house every night. I also used $5 to buy shoes for my son, who did not have any, and spent the remaining $10 on some food items that we needed at the time. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for helping us rebuild our lives."

"With the cash transfer I received, I decided to use $400 to build an external kitchen out of iron sheets. Out of this, $300 went into buying materials, and I spent the remaining $100 on labor. My old kitchen was small, the roof leaked, and it barely had enough space to move around. Given that my main house only has two rooms and I have six children, we always struggled with space. Previously, some of my children had to sleep at their grandmother’s place due to our cramped house and when they were home, they’d sleep in the sitting room. Now, they can sleep in the new kitchen, which is much warmer and more comfortable than before. In addition to the kitchen, I spent $10 to buy some clothes for my five-year-old son. He didn’t have nice clothes, and it felt important to give him something new and comfortable. The remaining amount went to buying food items for the household, which eased the burden on our daily expenses. This cash transfer has truly transformed our living situation, making our home a bit more comfortable and allowing us to manage day-to-day life with a bit more ease."

"I am extremely thankful to Givedirectly for their financial support in helping me raise my children, especially after the passing of my husband, which placed all the responsibilities on my shoulders. Currently, my primary concern is for my two oldest children, both of whom finished secondary school with excellent results. One is preparing to enroll at Kenya Medical Training College to study nursing, while the other will be attending a teachers training college. Unfortunately, we have had to postpone this due to financial constraints. I am contributing to a local savings group with the hope of being able to enroll them soon. Additionally, I recently started working as a househelp, which provides me with some income and helps me save for building a new house. The current house we live in is quite unsafe, as the walls have become fragile and may collapse during heavy winds. However, the roof remains intact, allowing me to reuse the iron sheets from this house in the new one, although I will need to purchase a few additional pieces. Therefore, once I can enroll my children in school, I will begin this construction project. These are my main goals for the near future and beyond."

"When I received $450 from GiveDirectly, I felt incredibly grateful and saw it as a valuable opportunity to improve my life. I live in a mud house, and recent floods damaged it badly, causing it to leak and putting my family at risk as the structure is on the verge of collapsing. I used $300 of the transfer to buy building materials, including iron sheets and building poles, hoping to construct a safer, more stable home. I am eagerly awaiting the third transfer to complete the construction, providing my family with a comfortable and secure place they can truly call home, away from the risk of flooding and the discomfort of a leaking roof. In addition, I used $60 to pay school fees for my child, who is in Form One in secondary school. Paying this fee has helped me feel relieved from the worry and pressure of unpaid fees, allowing my child to continue their education without interruption. The remaining amount went toward buying food, an essential need for my family. Ensuring that we have enough to eat helps us all stay healthy, and being able to meet this basic need with the transfer brought us much-needed peace of mind."

"As an elderly man, unable to work, I am grateful for the financial support that allows me to take care of my essential needs. Recently, I purchased a solar lighting system on hire purchase, paying $30 in installments of $10 each month to keep enjoying reliable lighting. I’m happy that my house is now well-lit, and it brings me joy to see clearly around my home. I also spent $52 on food, which ensures I can take care of myself without needing to rely solely on my son. Additionally, I used $30 to make repairs on my house after strong winds blew away one of the iron sheets. I hired a mason to secure the roof and also purchased some cement for further repairs, as the walls are showing signs of instability. I am thankful for the transfers, which have helped me maintain a safe and comfortable living space."

"In the coming year, my goal is to build a sturdy home for my family. This past year, I have been sleeping in a makeshift structure with no walls and a leaking roof. My previous house collapsed last year, and I haven’t been able to rebuild due to financial limitations and the difficulty of finding casual work. With the ongoing support from the transfers, I plan to set aside a portion each month to buy building poles and, eventually, iron sheets. Once I have gathered all the necessary materials, I’ll save for labor costs to begin construction. I am truly appreciative of the financial support, which is helping me get closer to achieving my dream of a secure home for my family."