"My grass-thatched house is in a dilapidated condition, with the grass covering both the roof and walls rotting and leaving large openings. Whenever it rains, water seeps into my house, damaging some of my belongings. To address this, I decided to save money and purchase new building poles to construct a spacious two-roomed house. I spent $45 on these poles, which are expensive due to the scarcity of trees in our village. Additionally, I allocated $23 for food purchases. Despite my old age, I practice farming on a small piece of land near my house. However, the lack of consistent rains has negatively affected my livelihood, leaving me with nothing to harvest. This situation forces me to buy food from the shop at very high prices. Thankfully, with the financial transfers, I have enough to eat and rarely go hungry. In February, I spent $34 on medical expenses for my daughter, who was seriously ill and hospitalized for a week. The money helped clear the pending bills, and I am relieved to see her health improving significantly each day. I am deeply appreciative of the financial transfers from Give Directly, which have enabled me to take care of my immediate needs. Previously, I relied financially on my son, who does manual labor jobs, making it hard for him to support me. Now, I enjoy the freedom of taking care of myself without depending so much on my son."

"Around 6 pm that evening, I had just finished fetching water and settled down to catch my breath when a notification chimed on my phone. Curious, I reached for it and discovered a message from Mpesa. It was my first transfer from GiveDirectly! My heart leaped with joy. At that moment, relief flooded me because I knew the money would finally enable me to pursue my dream of starting a tailoring business, which I had longed for."

"My priority for the upcoming year is to address the dire condition of my house. The aging iron sheets covering the roof are in poor shape, allowing rainwater to seep. To remedy this, I plan to allocate a significant portion of my transfers towards purchasing new iron sheets to replace the entire roof. This renovation is essential to prevent further deterioration of the house and ensure the safety and comfort of my family. I am grateful for the financial support provided by the transfers, which enables me to address this pressing need and better care for my family."

"I work as a tailor and also engage in subsistence farming with my husband. Farming has always ensured we have enough food in our household. For this reason, I recently acquired an acre of land near a river where I can comfortably do some irrigation. I had previously made partial payments for this piece of land but still had a huge outstanding balance. I was paying through the little savings that I was making from my tailoring business. When I received the transfer, I paid off the remaining debt which amounted to $500 and gained full ownership of the land. I now possess the land and I am planning to plant fresh vegetables and maize crops and some irrigation using the available water. I hope to get good produce for consumption and sell the surplus thus earning some income as well. In addition to the land purchase, I also spent $20 in purchasing a new door for my home. The old one was broken, and I was concerned about the safety of my family as well as my household items. With the new door in place, I feel much more secure. Finally, I bought two chickens which I am currently keeping, and food for my family with the remaining amount."

"Before the transfers, life had pinned me against the wall; things were tough. As the sole provider for my three children, given that my husband and I had separated, I used to rely on casual jobs like working on people’s farms or at the quarry. The physical demands of these jobs were taking a toll on my body, and as days went by, it was increasingly becoming difficult to ensure the well-being of my family. Among many struggles, one was that I could not afford a decent house for my family. Our small one-roomed structure, which also doubled as a cooking space, would leak water through its grass-thatched roof during the rainy season. This forced us to move into my relative’s space. When I received the transfers, my priority was getting my family a house. So, I spent $450 to buy building materials like iron sheets, building poles, and nails. I also compensated the builder in advance using $70. Imagine now the satisfaction and joy I feel every morning witnessing the progress of the house being constructed; I still cannot believe it. Also, I used the remaining funds of $30 to buy food for my children. I am grateful because the money had just arrived in time when my household had run out of the maize produce we had harvested. The food that I bought is still serving us to date. I could never be more relieved and grateful for the transfer funds and God bless GiveDirectly."

"Three years ago, prior to receiving financial assistance from Give Directly, my family faced significant challenges in meeting our basic needs. As a peasant farmer, the impact of drought severely affected our livelihood, leading us to purchase water for daily use, highlighting the severity of our situation. Fortunately, Give Directly intervened at the opportune moment, alleviating our financial burdens. Our house, particularly the aging iron sheets, posed another challenge as they were riddled with holes, allowing rainwater to seep into the house during the rainy season. To address this issue, my husband and I collaborated each month to purchase new iron sheets. I contributed $68 towards this effort, ultimately replacing all the old sheets and resolving the problem. Additionally, I invested $34 in purchasing a goat, recognizing its potential as a valuable asset for the future. This investment is poised to multiply and provide a safety net in case of emergencies. I am profoundly grateful for the financial support provided by Give Directly, which has significantly eased the struggles we once faced."

"As a widow raising three children, the burden of providing for their needs felt like an insurmountable weight on my shoulders. Reliant on the meagre income from charcoal burning and selling, I often questioned if our circumstances would ever improve. Yet, the arrival of GiveDirectly brought a ray of hope into our lives. With the cash transfer, I wasted no time in prioritizing my son's future by allocating $60 for his college fees in his electrical course. The investment in his education filled me with a profound sense of pride, knowing it would pave the way for a brighter tomorrow. Moreover, I set aside $20 in a merry-go-round, envisioning a future where we could afford better bedding and essential utilities like a water tank. This act of saving for the future ignited a feeling of empowerment within me, reaffirming that even amidst adversity, there is room for hope and progress. Additionally, I am planning to invest in a goat, securing our future against potential financial constraints. With the remaining funds, I ensured our immediate needs were met by purchasing food for my family, providing a much-needed sense of stability and comfort amidst our financial struggles. While challenges may persist, the support from GiveDirectly has illuminated a path towards a more secure and hopeful future for us."

"As the heavy rains approach, my priority is to utilize my upcoming transfers to procure the remaining four pieces of iron sheets required to fully cover the roof of my house. This initiative aims to prevent rainwater leakage into the house during the rainy season. I am immensely grateful for the financial assistance received, which has enabled me to fulfill essential obligations such as paying school fees for my children and ensuring the well-being of my family."

"My house is in dire need of repair, with mud walls exhibiting extensive cracks and erosion, allowing cold air to seep in at night. Additionally, the aging iron sheet roofing is riddled with holes, leading to rainwater leakage. To address these issues, I invested $25 in purchasing a new iron sheet and building poles, laying the groundwork for the construction of a safer dwelling. Enhancing my personal comfort, I acquired a wooden bed for $35, replacing the uncomfortable sisal twine bed. This upgrade has significantly improved my quality of sleep. In anticipation of future financial security, I acquired a young goat for $19, recognizing its potential for multiplying my initial investment through breeding. Amidst personal expenses, I allocated $8 towards my grandson's medical treatment and $6 for family sustenance. Reflecting on my financial journey, I've gained valuable insights into the importance of savings and prudent investment. As a peasant farmer heavily reliant on livestock sales for income, this newfound financial literacy will undoubtedly prove beneficial in the years to come."

"The aging iron sheets on my roof have developed significant holes, causing water to leak into the house during rainfall. This has led to various challenges, including damage to my furniture. To put an end to this ongoing problem, I have decided to save a portion of my upcoming transfers to purchase new iron sheets and replace the entire roof. I am optimistic that with the assistance of the transfers, I will be able to accomplish this goal and ensure a safer and more comfortable living environment for myself and my family."