"I work hard putting roofs over people's heads, but it's tough making ends meet. Sometimes I only make $150 in a month, and finding work isn't always easy. When I got the cash from GiveDirectly, I felt relieved. First, I bought a mattress for $75. Sleeping on a mat for so long was tough. Then, I spent $65 on a hair-shaving machine to improve my business. No more using old razor blades! I also bought two she-goats for $90. I'm hoping they'll multiply, so I can sell some, expand my business and also help me educate my daughter once she starts school. Plus, I used $90 to pay my niece's school fees. Her family didn't want to educate her, but I believe she deserves a chance. Hopefully, my business will make enough profit to support her education."

"I sell charcoal while my husband tends to livestock to provide for our family of five. Previously, we faced a lot of hardships since we did not have a reliable source of income to support our household. Thankfully, our circumstances have improved. With the assistance of transfers, I can now purchase books, uniforms, and pay school fees for our children. Additionally, we now have the means to afford medical care in case of sudden illness. Out of the transfers received, I allocated $34 to acquire a goat and five chickens, which we will raise and later sell at a profit. Furthermore, I used $40 to settle a school fees debt that needed clearing. The remaining amount was dedicated to buying food for my family when we ran out. I am pleased with the positive impact these transfers have had on our lives."

"I work as a nanny to support my young daughter. Life used to be challenging before, often leaving me hungry because I lacked consistent income. I had to abandon my education due to my parent's inability to afford school fees. I am grateful for this program, as it provides transfers to everyone and has enabled our community to progress. With the assistance of these transfers, I have been able to rebuild our house and also buy food for my family. Out of the funds received, I allocated $30 to savings, to be used in case of a pressing need. I then used $30 to purchase personal items that I needed. The remaining and spent $42 was used to buy food for my family as we had run out. Participating in this program brings me immense happiness as it has brought about significant positive changes in my life."

"My livelihood depends on fishing, while my wife earns a living by extracting tree stumps and selling charcoal to support our family of ten. Life has been challenging, and there were times when hunger was a constant companion due to lack of food. Fortunately, things have taken a turn for the better. I have successfully completed renovating our dilapidated house, ensuring we have a comfortable place to live in. Additionally, I've ventured into goat and chicken rearing. From the transfers we received, I used $20 to purchase essential household items as we had run out. I then spent $10 to pay for school fees for my children, ensuring they continue with their studies without interruptions. Another $4 was used to buy two chickens, to be kept and sold later at a profit. Furthermore, I spent $34 on iron roofing sheets to replace the deteriorated ones, improving our living conditions. The remaining funds were used to compensate the technician who renovated our house. I take pride in the progress we have made and eagerly anticipate achieving more in the future."

"Engaging in strenuous tasks has become challenging for me, but occasionally, I sell charcoal to support my family of nine. Times were especially tough during the severe drought when accessing food and finding casual work was challenging. Paying school fees was also a constant struggle, often resulting in my children being sent home from school. I am grateful for this program, as it has enabled me to afford school fees for my children as well as invest in goats and chickens. Additionally, I have also been able to save in our local savings club, earmarking the funds for future school fees. From the transfers received, I purchased a goat valued at $34, a wise investment to address urgent needs if necessary. I then acquired two iron roofing sheets for $20 to replace my deteriorating roof. The remaining $48 was allocated towards school fees, purchasing uniforms, and school bags for my children, as schools had reopened. Being part of this program fills me with joy and gratitude for the positive changes it has brought to our lives."

"Education is highly significant to me, given that I never had the chance to attend school myself. My primary goal this year is to ensure that my children can continue with their studies with minimal interruptions. With schools scheduled to reopen soon, I have already set aside my savings to purchase books and uniforms for them. Additionally, I plan to utilize the upcoming transfers to cover their school fees. Providing them with an education is not only a precious gift but also an investment for their future, empowering them to secure better opportunities. I am happy to witness the positive impact this program has brought to our lives."

"I manage a vegetable kiosk in my village while my husband works on neighboring farms as a casual laborer to support our family of five. Previously, affording food and sustaining the business was challenging due to lack of capital. I am glad things have improved; now, I can invest in my business, pay school fees, expand into livestock and poultry, cultivate my farm, and even save some of my transfers for future needs. With the received transfers, I allocated $34 to purchase a bed and mattress as we lacked proper sleeping arrangements. Additionally, I invested $34 in installing solar lights in our house, a significant improvement from our previous situation. The remaining funds were used to purchase a goat, adding it to my current livestock. I'm delighted to be part of this positive change and look forward to a brighter future."

"My husband works selling water in Mombasa, while I tend to our livestock, supporting our family of nine. It was a struggle to afford food and school fees with his modest earnings. Thankfully, this project has significantly boosted our income. For the first time, I could afford to send my daughter to boarding school, a dream come true thanks to these transfers. Additionally, we can now comfortably provide food for our family. Out of the received transfers, $48 went towards purchasing uniforms, books, and other necessities for my daughter's schooling. Another $44 was used to buy food for my children, as we were running low. Additionally, I set aside $10 in our local savings for future needs. Being a beneficiary of this program has brought me happiness and changed our lives for the better."

"Living in a small house made of grass, and with the rainy season ahead, my wish has always been to have a better house so that my husband and I can live in a better place with warmth. My husband is not strong enough to do any work to support our family of six members because of a surgery he underwent some time back. We all, therefore, depend on my small vegetable-selling business, and my daughter, who separated from her husband and came back home with her children, to support our family. With the financial limitations beholding us, I was unable to build a house for myself. On receiving the money, I, therefore, spent $350 to build a house so that I can have a better sleep. I am happy that my house is now progressing well, and very soon, I will move in with my husband. I then used $40 to lease a piece of land along a river where there is a throughout supply of water for farming maize and vegetables for food and sell. I then used $40 and helped my daughter to pay school fees for my grandchildren as they had a school fees balance which was yet to be cleared. Finally, I plan to use the balance of the transfer to take my child who has a mental illness to a good hospital where he can get good medical attention as I could not do this before because of financial constraints. My child's medication has always been challenging because we did not have enough money to take him to hospital, but right now, I have great hopes that he will be better."

"As a small-scale farmer working half an acre of land, I primarily cultivate maize, beans, and greengrams. The proximity of my farm to a river ensures I don't face water shortages, which is a huge advantage. Currently, I dream of expanding my farming operations to 2 or 3 acres if I can secure finances. This expansion isn’t just about farming more land but building a better future for my family. With increased income from farming, I plan to improve our living conditions, starting with upgrading from our one-room house to something bigger and better. Additionally, the extra income will be crucial in covering school fees for my children. This growth will significantly improve our quality of life and provide stability for my family."