"It was exactly noon when I was taking my lunch when I heard my phone ringing. Upon checking, I realized it was an M-Pesa notification from GiveDirectly. My heart skipped a beat as I read the message. In that moment, I couldn't help but smile as a flood of possibilities filled my mind. With this unconditional cash transfer, I knew I could finally repair my motorcycle, which had broken down months ago. That mortocycle was more than just a mode of transportation; it was my lifeline and my means of earning a living by transporting charcoal within the town center. As I looked at the message again, I felt a sense of hope and gratitude for the opportunities this unexpected blessing would bring into my life."

"A few months ago, I found myself in a financial bind, having taken out a loan to purchase a motorcycle on credit due to a lack of available cash. Managing the debt had been a constant struggle until GiveDirectly stepped in with their much-needed financial assistance. The regular transfers they provided played a significant role in helping me chip away at my outstanding debts. With the most recent transfer, I was able to make a payment of $20, leaving just $50 left to clear. Beyond debt relief, GiveDirectly also allowed me to put $14.70 towards purchasing food for my family of three, alleviating the challenges we had faced in ensuring our basic needs were met. Their support has been a lifeline during these challenging times." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"My primary focus at the moment is to settle the long-standing school fees debt, which has been pending since I graduated from high school in 2018. This debt, totaling $200, needs to be paid off to obtain my academic certificates, which, in turn, will allow me to enroll in a masonry college. These certificates are a prerequisite for college admission, and without them, I cannot pursue my passion for masonry professionally. Despite the financial constraints, especially related to supporting my mother in paying my sister's school fees, I am determined to achieve this goal. I have gained valuable foundational skills in masonry through the casual jobs I've taken in house construction, and my dream is to receive professional training in college. I hope that by early next year, I will have accumulated enough funds to settle the pending tuition fees at my previous high school, enabling me to take significant steps toward realizing my passion and career goals." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"In just a few short months, I hope to have completed the $640 motorcycle loan and fully own it. It is a monumental achievement, one that fills me with pride and a sense of financial freedom. With this milestone on the horizon, I am now looking toward the future with a new goal in mind. I plan to venture into the grocery business right here in our village. It is a move that feels both exciting and practical. To make this dream a reality, I am considering taking a loan from the table banking company. It is a group that has supported many individuals in our community, and I believe their assistance could be instrumental in getting my grocery business off the ground. It is a decision I do not take lightly, but I see it as a strategic step toward expanding my income sources and providing better opportunities for my family. Additionally, I have been blessed with an incredible gift: my aunt has generously given me one acre of land situated on the shore of the river. This location offers easy access to water, a precious resource for growing tomatoes and vegetables. It is a chance to not only contribute to the local food supply but also to generate additional income." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"My husband, Chengo, runs a clothing business, a venture he opened with the first transfers and on which the family of four depends. He would often spend a significant portion of his earnings on transportation to reach his customers. It was a hurdle that hindered the business's growth potential. We both understood that a motorcycle could be the game-changer, the key to unlocking new opportunities and expanding the business's reach. However, with finances being a pitfall, we never purchased anything until the transfers arrived. When we received the transfers, we used them all to purchase a second-hand motorcycle. I am glad the motorcycle has not only improved our financial situation but also brought a sense of security and stability into our lives."

"We have two children in primary school, I allocated $15 to cover their school fees. Our primary source of income mainly comes from the transfers. My husband works as a casual laborer, primarily operating a motorcycle. In addition to this, I generate income by selling pastry snacks, contributing $4 to our family's finances, which I use to meet other school-related expenses. I then spent $10 to buy food for my household, since we'd been struggling to afford three meals a day before receiving the transfer. Lastly, I bought school uniforms for my children and a T-shirt for myself with the remaining $9."

"In the coming year, one of my main objectives is to support my son in renovating his severely deteriorated house, which is on the verge of collapsing. Due to his occupation as a motorcycle taxi driver, his income is quite meager, making it difficult for him to invest in rebuilding his home. To aid him in this endeavor, I plan to provide assistance by purchasing the necessary building materials, thus ensuring that he has a safe and comfortable residence. The positive impact of the money I have received fills me with great joy, as it has not only improved my own life but also allows me the opportunity to extend help and support to my loved ones."

"I have family if three though currently they are at Malindi. My wife was taken back to her maternal home because I have not paid the bride price or dowry. I do casual jobs earning approximately $80 per month which caters for food and school fees for my daughter at Malindi. I lack the capacity to get enough money to pay the bride price. My desire is to bring my wife back and move on with life together. I will use $500 to pay bride price for my wife. This will help me get my wife back. I will also use $600 to buy another motorcycle for business in the village. This will help me get a daily income."

"Upon receiving our first transfer, my wife and I decided to invest the money in building a goat pen. This decision stemmed from our desire to enhance our goat-rearing venture, with hopes of eventually reaping profitable returns. Our financial circumstances had previously posed challenges due to the nature of our work; I work as a rider, and my wife is a farmer. Our income was primarily allocated to covering our basic necessities. We have been blessed with one child, which added to our responsibilities. Therefore, I spent $150 towards constructing the goat pen and utilized the remaining funds to purchase essential food items. I am elated that I was able to realize my goal in such a short time frame, and for this, I am truly grateful." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"Being a farmer and with my husband relying on occasional motorcycle jobs, we often faced financial hardships. The second transfer has brought significant relief, allowing us to address our daily needs and pursue important projects. I allocated $110 from the transfer to secure food supplies for our family of eight. This was essential to ensuring a consistent and nutritious food source for our children's well-being. Furthermore, the transfers enabled us to begin realizing our dream of a larger and more comfortable house. Our current living space, consisting of a single room, is inadequate for our family's needs. We took the first step towards constructing a two-room dwelling, purchasing iron sheets worth $90. We are now awaiting the third transfer to continue the construction process. Additionally, I invested $50 in buying four chain links. Our goal is to establish a permanent fence on our two-acre land to protect our crops from the constant threat of domestic animals. I also used $50 to settle a food debt and $30 to purchase household items. To ensure our children have proper school uniforms, I allocated $50 to buy new ones, replacing their worn-out ones. I also acquired a ram using $60 to facilitate the breeding of my two female sheep." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)