"When I got my final transfer, I decided to upgrade my house's floor. It was made of cow dung and ash-based render. This made it unconducive for my husband, our two grandchildren, and me. I was tired of dealing with dust and replenishing it frequently, which required a lot of water. However, getting water was challenging due to the water shortage in our area. I used $300 for this project. My husband and I are farmers; we focus on crop production, specifically seed maize, under the Kenya Seed Company. We cultivate on our half-acre land, receiving seeds from the company, which they deduct from our income when they pay us. We sell all the produce to the Kenya Seed Company, except for the male produce, which we keep for our consumption at home. To create a memory of the support from GiveDirectly, I purchased two goats for $110. In addition, I set aside the remaining $40 to address daily needs such as food. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for your support. My life has improved significantly."

"As a single mother, my children rely solely on me for support. I take on any casual work I can find, like washing clothes for others or helping out on farms. On good days, I might earn $3, but there are also days when I can't find any work at all. This constant uncertainty makes it difficult to provide for my family. The place we previously lived was in terrible shape. Its roof was full of leaks, making rainy days uncomfortable, and the door was in such bad shape that water would pour in. When I received the transfer, I saw it as a golden opportunity to finally make our living situation safer and more comfortable. I decided to invest a significant amount, $440, into building a new house. This covered the cost of materials and labor. Now, I am incredibly grateful that the new house is complete, and we have already moved in. No longer did I have to worry about my children getting sick from the dampness or feeling unsafe during the rainy season. Now, we have a place we can truly call home, a sanctuary where we can feel secure and comfortable. Seeing the smiles on my children's faces as they explored their new surroundings filled my heart with joy. With the remaining amount, I purchased sugar, which had been lacking in our household for some time. We had been drinking plain tea for a while, but now, with sugar in stock, our simple daily rituals feel more complete."

"Receiving the first transfer left me overwhelmed with happiness, unsure of whom to thank at that moment. The struggles my family of six endured to secure basic household goods were huge for us, and the idea that someone unknown would step forward to offer financial support seemed unimaginable. From the challenges of obtaining water to ensuring my children had enough food, life has been incredibly difficult. However, this moment brought hope to our household. The relief that came with receiving the money meant I could finally provide for all the needs of my five children. Since I was alone when I received the news, I had to wait until my children returned from school in the evening to share the excitement with them. After two days, I collected the money from the nearby shopping center, ready to put it toward the planned needs."

"My husband and I work on casual jobs that yield minimal income. I engage in the sale of charcoal, generating $40 monthly, while my husband operates as a hawker vending bottled water in Mombasa town, with earnings also falling below $40 per month. This limited financial means have posed significant challenges in financing the education of our five children. Consequently, a substantial portion of the funds received as transfers was allocated to settle outstanding school fees totaling $60, ensuring our children's reentry into school and the continuation of their education. Additionally, $22 was utilized to procure stationary supplies for my son, Kahindi, at the onset of the new academic term. In an effort to establish a poultry enterprise with the aim of expanding our income prospects, $12 was invested in the acquisition of two hens as a starting point. The remaining $8 was allocated towards purchasing sugar to meet the needs of our family consisting of eight members. Words fail to fully convey the depth of gratitude we feel towards the financial empowerment facilitated by these transfers, which have played a pivotal role in covering our children's educational expenses."

"Thanks to GiveDirectly, things are looking up for my family. With their support, my children are now able to attend school, and I've been able to start and run my own business. It's been a journey filled with challenges, but we're making progress. One thing that still weighs heavily on my mind is the water problem we face. Without a reliable source of water, it's difficult to produce enough on our farms to sustain us throughout the year. We often find ourselves struggling to irrigate our crops, especially during dry seasons, which affects our harvest and ultimately our livelihood. I believe that if GiveDirectly continues to support us, we could address this water problem effectively. With access to clean and reliable water, we could increase our agricultural output, ensuring that we have enough food to feed our family and even surplus to sell at the market. Imagine the difference it would make if we didn't have to worry about water scarcity anymore. We could invest more time and effort into our farms, knowing that our hard work will pay off with bountiful harvests. I'm grateful for all that GiveDirectly has done for us, but I hope they'll consider extending their support to help us tackle this crucial issue. With their help, we can overcome this obstacle and build a better future for our family."

"I aspire to build a new house as our current one is in a dilapidated condition. The iron sheet roof has corroded over time, and the mud walls have started to collapse, particularly due to recent rains. When it rains, it leaks water, making the space damp. My husband, as the breadwinner, is facing challenges in raising money to build a new house because his casual household chores cannot provide beyond the basics like food. Therefore, I have been saving through a merry-go-round club to accumulate funds for buying building materials such as iron sheets and building poles. In the coming year, I wish to have completed this exercise and am relying on the transfers to make it possible."

"I wholeheartedly agree that GiveDirectly has the power to transform lives for the better. Personally, I have experienced the profound impact of their assistance firsthand. With the support provided, I have been able to acquire assets such as a water tank and fence my farm, laying the groundwork for a sustainable future. Now, with my farm fenced, I am eager to sow mangoes as a means to earn a living for myself and my family. This opportunity would not have been possible without the assistance from GiveDirectly, and for that, I am truly grateful. As for their approach, I believe it is effective as it is. In my opinion, there is no need for any changes. Everything is working well, and I am optimistic about the future thanks to the support I have received from GiveDirectly."

"In the next year, my goal is to embark on extensive horticulture farming to not only provide income but also ensure food security for my family of four. To initiate this project, I estimate that I will need a capital investment of $120. My plan is to save the profits from the watermelon business to accumulate the necessary funds for this new venture. By reinvesting the profits from the watermelon business, I aim to gradually save up enough capital to kickstart the horticulture farming project. This approach allows me to leverage the success of my current business to create opportunities for growth and diversification in the future. Horticulture farming presents a promising opportunity to generate income and provide nutritious food for my family. I am optimistic about the prospects of this venture and remain committed to working diligently to achieve our goals. "

"Since we depend mostly on irrigation farming as the main source of livelihood, we intend to invest 60% of our transfers on our farm. Water has been the biggest challenge during prolonged dry season as we have had to hire a water pump on such occasion. This has proven to be very expensive for us. As such, we intend to buy a water pump at a cost of $400, increase acreage by clearing the extended part of the land at a cost of $50 and the remainder, to buy farm inputs. We project that by doing this, our proceeds will double hence increasing our profits."

"I am dedicated to ensuring that my children's education continues smoothly and without interruptions. As I don't have a job, I take care of livestock and do subsistence farming. The transfers have been essential in paying for my seven children's education fees. Without the transfers, it would have been a challenge to raise enough money to cover their fees. My goal is to pay their fees on time and support them as they progress through their academic journey. I also plan to invest more in farming by planting watermelons in the upcoming season. This will help me generate some income through farming, which will enable me to effectively provide for my family."