"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."

"Living in this house has been quite challenging, especially during the rainy season. Many years ago, I built this small, one-roomed grass-thatched mud house, and it leaks significantly when it rains, making it feel like I'm outside even when I'm indoors. My main objective for the coming year and beyond is to construct a spacious, iron-roofed house. I'm glad to have gathered enough iron sheets and the necessary poles. I am actively working to collect the remaining materials needed to start construction. This is a top priority for me as I have a small child, and our living conditions are not conducive to her health. Therefore, I am optimistic that we will soon commence the building work. I truly appreciate GiveDirectly for their financial support, without them, I wouldn't have been able to purchase all these building materials. I continue to use my transfers to invest in this project until I achieve my final goal."

"Given the current drought and the hunger we are facing, my plan for this year is to continue using part of my transfers to make sure my family has enough food to avoid going hungry. It is a struggle, but I will keep prioritizing our food needs, especially during these tough times. At the same time, with my grandchildren still in school, I am committed to using another portion of the funds to pay their school fees, ensuring they can stay in school and continue their education. Another big concern for me is the roof of my house. It is very old and rusty, and it desperately needs to be replaced. However, with the drought still ongoing, I cannot focus on the roofing just yet. So, I am waiting for the rains to come, hoping that we will farm and have a good harvest to sustain us for a long period. Once we have enough food stored, I will begin redirecting part of my GiveDirectly transfers from buying food to gradually buying iron sheets to replace the roof. It is a slow process, but I am determined to fix our home, step by step. The support I am receiving from GiveDirectly gives me hope that I can take care of my family and our needs, even in the face of so many challenges."

"A strong wind recently destroyed my house, forcing us to seek shelter at my neighbor's homestead. The roof had developed holes, and the walls were significantly weakened due to leaks from the rain. Its condition made it vulnerable to further destruction. Because of this, I am planning to build a spacious two-roomed house that will accommodate my growing family comfortably. Our current situation is challenging since we are temporarily staying with my neighbor. To make this dream a reality, I have been saving $20 from my transfers each month to purchase two iron sheets. I’m pleased to say that I have already bought 10 iron sheets. Once I acquire the remaining 10 pieces, we can begin the construction process. Accomplishing this will bring me great happiness. After that, I intend to save my transfers and start a grocery business that will help me support my children once my dream house is completed."