"We are living as a large family of twelve people. Unfortunately, both my husband nor I do not have a job, and we lack a source of income. We, therefore, resort to burning charcoal, and my husband occasionally uses someone's motorcycle for a taxi. However, he rarely generates good money from the taxi business because of the high fuel cost and narrowed customer base. With the most recent transfer, I spent $15 on school fees for my three school-going children. Courtesy of the GiveDirectly's transfers, they are always in school and have ample time to participate in class work, unlike before when they were often sent home for fee collection. In addition, I spent $19 on food since we had depleted what I had bought the previous day and had no option but to forgo meals the following day."

"I have been using this money to help me build my own house well. I used to work as a motorcycle rider but I had gotten the motorcycle on loan and due to the difficult economic times I was unable to make monthly payments and lost the motorcycle. This meant I could not even focus on building a house which I had need of. Each of my transfers goes into buying building material such as Iron sheets in the past four months. I have been using the transfers to buy 3 roofing sheets per month and now I stand at 12 iron sheets."

"This year my main aim to is to learn how to be a good mechanic so I can open my own workshop. I am hoping to use my GD transfers to pay my rent for the house I took for $20 and the rest of the transfer $14 will go into buying food for me. I was working as a motorcycle driver employed by someone and I would get like $5 per day and I would be required to pay $4 to my employer to ensure that I had the motorcycle still but this wasn't making me a sufficient income. My projection is that with the skills of being a car mechanic and starting my own place, I will be able to make a good income that will be sufficient for me."

"I completed my high school education some years back, but I had never gotten a chance to join college due to the lack of money., therefore my main goal is to see myself back to school in the near future. I had been saving part of my transfers and I would still continue saving so that by the end end of this year, I would have enough money that would help me to pay for my school fees." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"I spent part of my second transfer on purchasing spare parts so that I could repair my motorcycle. I had to prioritize this since this has been the only reliable business that I own to provide for my two family members. I am so grateful that it's now operating, and in a day I can make enough cash to buy food and even save a little for any emergencies. In addition to that, before the coming of GiveDirectly, I had issues with my in-laws, and this was as a result of the remaining part of the dowry. Therefore, after receiving the cash, I had to settle this as well. They had vowed to take their daughter back home if I failed to clear the needed amount. I am now a happy man since I am living peacefully with my wife. Also, I spent the remaining amount of money on buying food for my family and other household needs that needed my attention. My wife and I are now healthier, and we no longer borrow food from neighbors as before, which has also restored our dignity." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"Early in the morning, I sat under a tree, praying to God to grant me a job that would pay well so that I could support my family. My mind was pulled from my introspective thoughts and fantasies by the sound of a motorcycle approaching our home's compound. When a give directly officer came over, he inquired about my transfers. I shook my head in disappointment and acknowledged that I still hadn't gotten my transfers. The officer informed me that indeed $37.40 had been credited to my account after looking through my phone and speaking with my helper several times. I had a broad smile on my face and was extremely joyful. I gave my family members hugs and enthusiastically shook the officers hand. This was undoubtedly one of my happiest days ever."

"I have been a squatter for the past six years, moving as I do casual labor alongside my husband to support my family. I relocated from western Kenya in the hopes of finding work in the large farms nearby, but that did not happen. I am grateful for the warm welcome I received from the residents and have been living on a friend's land, where we built a temporary structure for our family of four. I had been reliant on leaseholds in order to provide food for my children and occasionally surplus for sale. I had already begun paying for a 4-acre plot of land when I received the second transfer. I paid the pending $150, and I am relieved that the planting season has begun. I plan to plant the tomato seedlings I have in my nursery bed on the two acres and use the rest on maize plantations. On a good season, I expect to make at least $1000 from tomato sales, whereas maize usually has a higher profit because we get free seeds from the Kenya Seed Company and a ready market after harvest from the same company, which pays in a lump sum. I also spent $150 on a heifer, which I am hoping will soon relieve us of the need to buy expensive packaged milk from the store. My husband runs a motorcycle taxi, which has been our main source of income. In addition, I set aside the remaining funds to finish the land preparation, which I estimate will cost $200 because plowing and harrowing an acre costs $50." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"Upon receipt of receiving my transfer, I knew that it was the ideal time for me to purchase a motorcycle. This is because I use to ride a rental motorcycle that was unreliable. This is because the owner would demand payment even in challenging circumstances. As I ride boda boda for a living, my wife studies a secretarial course. We are blessed with one child. I already have $250 placed as a downpayment for the motorcycle, $100 to upgrade my ant-infested home, and $100 to purchase a smartphone to understand the digital age. I am happy my dream to own a motorcycle has been achieved." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"I wish to be able to build a new house in place of the current one, which is in bad shape and I fear that it may collapse. Since I lack a source of income, and my husband’s earnings from his motorcycle taxi and small vegetable-selling business are mere, my construction resources are limited. However, through the cash transfers, there is an ideal chance for me to build the house; I particularly want one with two rooms, made of mud walls and iron sheets roof. In the short run, I plan to continue saving money through my self-help group and withdraw it at the end of the year to start the project.  "

"During his return trip from Mariakani town, my son was injured in a motorcycle accident. He suffered severe wounds as a result of the collision, and medical attention was given to him right away. He stayed in the hospital for a full week, which resulted in a hefty hospital bill. When I got my February transfer, I spent $15 to pay off my enormous $500 debt. I am glad he was discharged from the hospital and is now recovering at home thanks to donations from family, friends, and kind neighbors. I spent the remaining $19 on food in addition to covering the hospital bill. I purchased two kilograms of beans, a kg of sugar, five packets of maize flour, some fish, and 500 grams of salt. I paid some money to buy water for use at home. Our local water sources have dried up due to the intense heat, forcing us to pay exorbitant prices for water from vendors."