"About four years ago, my husband decided to walk away from the relationship leaving me with the children. His action left me with no option, but to struggle with the children all alone. The house we built before divorce is now leaking and the children are out of school. During the raining hours I do not sleep because I have to be up to have dishes under the leaking areas so the room can not be flooded with water. I was able to go into the bushes to get thatches to cover the house, but I am not able to roof a house so the thatches are left to spoil. If I receive any money from Give Directly, I'll use part of the money to change the roof of my house, establish business and the rest will be used to send my children to school."

"Initially I was not sleeping well at all due to the state of my bed which was covered with a torn mat. Currently I am sleeping well on a nice and comfortable bed. The other difference is the water hardship that we had but as at now I have a water tank for storing water. The water tank helps me in to access water with ease."

"I had desired to start livestock rearing a reliable source of income for my family to replace the charcoal burning which is a laborious casual activity. After receiving the transfer, I spent KES 18,000 to purchase 6 goats. In addition, I used KES 13,000 to purchase a bed and a mattress. Previously, I was using sacks and a traditional bed that was not comfortable to sleep on. I also used KES 5,000 to repair my roof by purchasing 3 iron sheets and paid the labor cost. Furthermore, I spent KES 39… to clear the fees arrears for my child who is in primary school. The remaining portion of the money assisted me to purchase food and water for the family."

"I spent KES 20,000 my transfer to purchase 5 goats to start goats rearing a future investment whenever I face any financial challenge. In addition, I purchased household utensils including plates, cooking pots, and 2 plastic chairs. This is because I had a few utensils and I was using to logs as chairs which were embarrassing whenever I received guests. Also, I bought new clothing for myself this is because I was using worn-out ones. With the remaining amount, I spent it to purchase enough food and saved some for my daily upkeep like water."

"I spent part of my first transfer on buying a few building materials which uncle iron roofs at KES 6000, nails and timber, and the labor charge of KES 3000. This was for the renovation of the roof since it was so old and leaky, whenever it could rain it was so hectic. Also, I bought a second-hand bicycle at KES 6000 which has been helping in transporting water from the dam to my homestead which is quite far. I later bought a q water tank 210 liters KES 2300 which has been of great to me in storing water. I also bought five chickens and twelve goats at a total of 32500 which I am planning to start a business through them. This will now be the business that I will rely on all the time. I later cleared school fees of KES 450 for my son and bought new school uniforms for him. With the remaining amount, I bought enough foodstuffs for my family"

"I spent a larger portion of my first transfer on clearing school fees for my three children who are both in secondary school. I had to prioritize this because they are usually on and off due to school fees arrears. I also started a new business of selling second-hand clothes that I am now operating in town and at least I have a source of income that I can rely on because I have been jobless all along. With the remaining, I bought a water tank of 320 liters worthy of KES 3500 and enough foodstuffs for my family that could at least last us for a couple of days. I am so humbled that though GiveDirectly, I managed to fulfill my heart's desires."

"I spent KES 38,000 to purchase a second-hand motorbike for myself. I had a desire to own a motorbike which will help me to carry water for my family since I was spending KES 200 per day on water which was relatively expensive. Similarly, I was planning to use it for taxi business, transporting people from our area to the nearest town to earn a living. Currently, I am able to obtain an income of KES 400 per day which I am using on food. I also used KES 10, 000 to support the educational needs of my 3 children who are in secondary school. They had a huge fee balance but I had no money to clear. The remaining amount assisted me in purchasing enough foodstuffs for the family."

"Our area has no available and clean water because of the nature of our soil that does not favor water retention. We cannot dig boreholes, or if we dig, they cannot last, and therefore we are forced to fetch water from the nearby river. Receiving this money will enable me to buy a water tank that will enable me to harvest and store rainwater. This will reduce the trips that I make to fetch water and the water quality is far much better than the one that we fetch from the river. I plan on repairing my leaking kitchen roof with the money from the second transfer together with completing my main house."

"I had left early that morning to go fetch water from the nearest water source which was in the other village. I remember it was on a Thursday date 11th of the previous month. Went I got home I took the phone and as I was checking the time I saw I had received the money. I was so relieved and happy."

"I received the message at 9 am. I was from fetching water. I had walked for almost 40 kilometers in search of water. While I was resting in my house the phone rang loudly. I picked it up and checked it. Since I do not know how to read, I decide to wait for my son who was in school at that time. When he arrived from school, he confirmed to me that I had received the transfer. I was very happy to hear that."