"I have been surviving by selling vegetables in my village, which has been my main source of income. However, I am a trained tailor, and my goal has always been to start my own tailoring shop, stock it with textile materials, and have a stable source of income. I was not able to go past primary education, and I had to find ways to survive as a single parent at only 22 years old. Also, I was not financially stable to start the tailoring shop immediately since the business of selling vegetables was not paying well. I am very grateful for the support of GiveDirectly, which has fulfilled my dream of starting a tailoring business. With their help, I was able to purchase a new sewing machine and some textile materials and I am currently constructing my shop. I am thrilled that through this shop, I will be self-employed and self-reliant, earning a better income than I was by selling vegetables. I can now take care of my sick parent and pay for my child's education. Additionally, I am in the process of building my own house after being housed by my aunt for years. I own a piece of land where I am building the house, and part of the space will serve as my tailoring shop, as it is close to our trading centre. I am glad I will not have to rent a place for my tailoring business."

"A reliable job! This is basically the longest desire that I have had. It has been decades now since I struggled to make ends meet through small businesses like selling roofing materials made of palm tree leaves. This job earns me very little, usually utmost $10 in a month. Imagine lacking money to settle some basic needs! It can be a very challenging situation. I plan to ensure we have a very stable source of income to depend on in case a problem arises. To offset this menace, I intend to spend a better portion of the money ($700) to start a shop business in Malindi town. This will be operated by my grandson who is currently jobless. On the other hand, I will spend the remaining amount to support my grandchildren's education. This will ensure they have ample time in school to improve their grades. Thus, this is generally what receiving this money means to me."

"My heart, fueled by love for my family, directs my every move, especially when it comes to spending our precious transfers from GiveDirectly. With three growing boys, two in secondary school and one in college, education stands as our beacon of hope for a brighter future. Every dollar allocated towards their school fees feels like an investment in their dreams, ensuring they stay in school, away from the threat of being sent home due to unpaid dues. Together with my husband, we pool our resources, and with the recent transfers, I contributed $60 towards their fees. Besides that, the foundation of our home remains vital. With our house longing for renovation, I set aside $30 in a Merry-go-round, intending to improve our living conditions. And with $12 dedicated to sustaining us through nourishing meals, I ensure my children's bellies are full, and their minds sharp for learning. Though challenges loom, from relying on my elderly husband's subsistence farming to raising our family of eight, the fire of determination burns bright within me, fueling my every action toward securing a better tomorrow for my beloved family."

"Job insecurity is the biggest challenge I'm encountering. I was unlucky to complete my education due to lack of school fees. This hindered me from securing a good job and I ended up becoming a wine tapper in the village. The job poses several risks such as death and earns me $5 in a day. The amount is not enough to cater for my family needs such as good shelter for my family of 3."

"Receiving this money means investing for the future education of my 5 children. I'm planning to spend $ 300 to purchase local goats because they multiple very first and I can sell them and pay school fees for my children. Also, I will use $ 20 to purchase a dairy cow for purpose of consumption and sell some litres. The remaining amount will clear the current school fees arrears so that they can study comfortable."

"Since I became a widow, life has been a tough journey, especially as I rely on the generosity of my co-wife's son for sustenance. With only daughters who have married and started their own families, I found myself in a vulnerable position, dependent on the goodwill of others. However, my fortunes changed when I was enrolled in the GiveDirectly monthly program. It became my lifeline, shielding me from the indignity of relying entirely on someone else for survival. In the recent transfers, I made a deliberate choice with the funds I received. Out of the total sum of $102, I set aside $60 for my grandson's school fees. His father, my late son-in-law, passed away, leaving my daughter, his mother, to fend for the family with meager earnings from casual labor. I couldn't bear to see my grandson's education suffer due to financial constraints, so I allocated a significant portion of the transfer to ensure he continued his schooling uninterrupted. The remaining $42 went towards securing food for our household, ensuring that there is sustenance on our table during these challenging times. Through these decisions, I strive to uphold dignity and support the aspirations of my family, despite the adversities we face."

"The funds that I am about to receive will make a significant impact on my life. It will provide me with the opportunity to take my life to the next level and make it less challenging. Out of the total amount, I plan to allocate $350 towards improving my family's housing conditions. This will enable us to live in a more comfortable and safe environment. Additionally, I intend to use $200 to start a business that will not only provide me with a sustainable income but also help me create job opportunities for others in the community. I believe that this will contribute towards the local economy and bring about positive change. I also plan to allocate a sum of $150 towards catering for my education fees. As an ambitious individual, I believe that education is key to unlocking my potential and creating a better future for myself and my family. Lastly, I plan to use the remaining amount of the funds for home use, such as food and other basic needs. This will help me provide for my family and ensure that they have access to all the necessary resources to live a comfortable life."

"Since my biggest challenge has been providing quality education to my children, I intent to use $430 on Fees for my 4 children , $150 to construct a structure for my children and use the rest of the mount to purchase livestock. I will also use $150 to boost my business."

"Since my mother and siblings do not have a place to sleep and call their home, I will spend $200 to construct a two-roomed house for them. Using another $2000, I will start a broiler chicken business to meet a demand in a nearby shopping center. This business is a seed to more sustainable investments I intend to do in future,thanks to GiveDirectly. This also means my siblings future in education is secured."

"My main goal is to obtain the best education possible with the monthly stipend from Give Directly. Driven by a strong desire to succeed, I am focused on transcending the educational barriers that have held back previous generations in my family—none of whom had the chance to attend secondary school. Achieving this would not only be a personal victory but also a historic milestone for my family. I am deeply thankful for the transfers I receive, as they are instrumental in helping me pursue and realize this dream."