"I have relied on a small business to provide for my family since we are in an area that receives low rainfalls hence farming has never been enough to meet family needs. I had always wished to expand it but due to lack of a stable source of income and ever-rising family needs, I had never been able to. When I received the first transfer from GD, I added KES25000 to my existing business which currently makes me a happy man since I have higher profits hence I can save some unlike before when I could spend almost everything on family daily needs. Even though I had built a house before, I had not been able to purchase furniture. I had no chairs and tables in my house a situation that had always made me unhappy and even lost the confidence of bringing anyone into my house. I spent KES10000 on furniture-chairs and table that has boosted my self-esteem in society since my house currently fully furniture. I also spent KES10000 on a KenTank since we receive low rainfalls in our area we had always been forced to use unclean and unsafe water for domestic purposes during dry season a situation that had always put my family in a high risk of contracting water born diseases, I am so happy currently that after the coming long rains in our area we will always have clean water for domestic use. I spent the remaining amount part of my first transfer on my household daily basic needs."

"I used my second transfer on purchasing livestock, Household items, water drams, feeding and saved part for taking care of my sickly spouse."

"Before GiveDirectly,I was supplying water using a cart in Mathare and the income I made was merger despite the hard work . It reached a point where I had lost hope in life hence I started idling because I never saw the possibility of my visions come true and my neighbours used to perceive me to have joined the gang groups in Mathare which wasn't the case. Currently, life is different in that I am able to run my business smoothly and provide basic needs for myself and my family members with ease."

"I spent my second cash transfer to purchase a water drum and three livestock. I also hired a piece of farm land."

"I spent part of my transfer on purchasing a solar lantern. I used to fix batteries for the torch in my house for lighting which was unreliable most of the time hence ended up using the torch on my phone when it refused to function. I also bought three goats. These goats will increase in number and I can sell some to get money later on. Part of the money was spent on buying a bed and mattress. Initially, I could sleep on the Giriama beds which were uncomfortable and could spoil within a short period of time. The mattress I previously had was also torn and old. The remaining amount was spent on purchasing a water tank. It helps me fetch water whenever it rains. Before the transfer, I had small jerrycans which could not store more water for a long time. After a few weeks, I had to deal with the water problem again."

"Financial inadequacy is my biggest struggle in life. As casual labourers, burning charcoal to survive, my husband and I do not earn much. This has hindered our ability to provide food, quality education, clean water and other basic needs for our family. It has also continuously dimmed my hope of owning my own house because we currently have to share the two rooms we call home between me, my co-wife, husband and 8 children. "

"I spent part of my transfer on purchasing a bed and a mattress for me and my children. Before the transfer, we used to sleep on sacks and old mosquito nets. I would neatly spread them to cushion us from the hard cemented floor. This was uncomfortable but I had no option because this is what I could afford but I am glad that this has changed after buying new beddings. Apart from that, I also bought four goats. I know they will reproduce and help me in the future. I also finished roofing my house. There are parts that I had left unfinished due to lack of enough money. Part of the money was spent on clearing last term's school fees balance for my two children. I also managed to pay part of this terms school fees and I feel relieved because the burden of paying school fees had been on my back for so long. The remaining amount was spent on food and buying water which is normally a problem in our area."

"My daily life biggest difference is being able to get my two bulls and watermelon seedlings that I am already planting. This will help me in large scale farming in all times and sell off the watermelon when it matures. Hence giving more money to sustain my family in the long run."

"My house collapsed two years ago and since then I have not been able to build a new one. My family lives under a structure that almost resembles a chicken pen. To make it worse, it cannot accommodate the eight of us forcing my eldest daughter to spend her nights at a neighbour's house. This has reduced us to the laughing stock in the village, as people keep on insulting us and branding my husband to be a very irresponsible man. As if this is not enough, the structure has no door thus threatening our security. I get into endless fights with my neighbours because their goats keep on pouring my flour and water, commodities that are currently very expensive to afford. Besides, my children's health has really been affected and they all suffer from persistent dry cough which is as a result of inhaling too much dust. GiveDirectly has come as a savior who will restore our dignity because I will construct a bigger and better house for my family. In addition to this, l will start a small business and quit my charcoal job which is labor intensive."

"My new goal is to save some amount. I plan to renovate our house because it looks old and shoddy. I'm planning to buy a few iron sheets to replace the grass-thatched roof which will help me harvest water during the rainy seasons. This will save me time, especially during the dry seasons because the water point is usually very far. I thank Give Directly for allowing me to achieve this goal"