"Since February last year, my house has been in a deteriorated state, with sections of the roof covered in hard polythene paper. This has presented a significant challenge, particularly during rainfall, as water seeps inside the house. As a motorcycle taxi driver, my income is insufficient to allow me to construct a better home for my family. However, thanks to the financial transfers, I have been able to save a small amount of money each month. As a result, I have managed to purchase twelve pieces of iron sheets, which will be adequate to cover the roof of my new house. In the month of August, I utilized my entire transfer to acquire additional iron sheets. Now, my focus is on procuring building poles and other essential materials to commence the construction of the house at the earliest opportunity. I am immensely grateful for the crucial financial support that has assisted me in navigating through challenging situations when my income is insufficient. This assistance has been invaluable in my efforts to improve the living conditions for my family."

"During the previous term, my children had to attend school wearing worn-out and torn uniforms. However, with the financial assistance I received in August, I was able to allocate $20 to purchase brand new school uniforms for them. Today, their faces were filled with excitement as they proudly put on their new uniforms and headed off to school for the new term. In addition to buying the uniforms, I utilized the remaining $14 to purchase stationery items for my five children. The twins, who are the eldest, are in class five, while the others are in classes three, one, and nursery respectively. The stationery items included 32-page exercise books, pens, pencils, and erasers for each of them. As a mother, it brings me immense joy to know that my children will have a positive experience as they begin the third term at school. In the past, we were burdened with debt, and most of my income was spent on basic necessities like food and water due to our challenging circumstances. I am incredibly grateful for the financial support that has allowed me to take care of my family and provide for their education."

"The transfer will be of good help, we need a separate house from the children. A two-roomed whole rounded iron sheet is enough. Iron sheets lasts longer and cannot be eaten by termites. We plan to use about $500 for this house. If possible later, we can source other funds to cement the floor. It's expensive constructing a house. Investing in goats is a marvelous idea, they do well under the scorching sun. They just need enough water, medicine and little pasture. We'll buy about 10 goats at a cost of $300. This means we can have something to support our family in the future. Goat prices are good around here. Chicken also do well, we need to invest about $50. They will supplement our food and solve small emergencies. On big cock can be sold for $10. Additionally, we don't have enough household items like clothes, food stuff and utensils. I plan to use about $300 to buy this items. This means we can relax with my wife not worrying about many things. Our children will also be looking good."

"I am determined to restore my deteriorating house, which currently faces numerous issues. The roof is in dire need of attention, with rusty iron sheets that have aged to the point of developing holes, causing rainwater to seep in during storms. Additionally, the mud walls of the house have deteriorated and crumbled. My primary goal for the upcoming year is to restore my house to a state of good repair. The upcoming transfer of funds will be instrumental in purchasing the necessary materials for this renovation project. I am profoundly thankful for the financial support, as it will undoubtedly enhance my quality of life."

"We live in dilapidated and squalid conditions, just a makeshift structure that I constructed when we came here after we were displaced. The state of the house is so bad that when it rains it lets in water and makes the house uncomfortable and uninhabitable. We have had to endure suffering for long now since we lack the means to construct a better house. Nothing beats the joy we experienced when we heard about the transfers, it is an assurance that God remembers even the downtrodden and the have-nots. We are now certain more than ever that we will build a better house from the money and at last afford to live and lead a decent life. I intend to use $500 for the construction to its completion. My children's clothes are tattered and the bedding is not enough so I will use the rest of the money to purchase them and to meet other household needs."

"It was during the commencement of the planting season when I received the final transfer from GiveDirectly. I was committed to investing the entire sum into a profit-yielding venture with enduring benefits. I leased a 2-acre parcel of land at $100 and promptly initiated the land preparation. The plowing phase incurred an expense of $60, while the subsequent tilling and harrowing amounted to $100. During this period, I spent $30 on food provisions to the hired labor force. Since I already possessed all the necessary inputs, I proceeded to plant without any additional cost. Given the limited rainfall, I combined the remaining $160 with my savings to purchase a water pumping generator, facilitating consistent irrigation throughout the growth cycle of the maize plantation. As a single mother of four children, it was a demanding endeavor to prioritize intensive farming over other needs, but I am content with the outcome - a harvest of 17 sacks, each weighing 90 kg. Presently, I am in the process of drying the maize, preparing to bring it to the market and utilizing the proceeds to fulfill various needs I had initially foregone, including payment of school fees for my three children. It was unfortunate that, my elder daughter had a miscarriage and was admitted in recent weeks, resulting in a medical expenditure of $250 from my savings. I am relieved that she has been discharged and is recuperating at home."

"In August, I used my entire transfer to buy food and water for my family's household. Despite planting maize on my four-acre farm, we faced a tough situation due to erratic rainfall over the past three months, resulting in a failed harvest. This unfortunate turn of events has left us in a difficult position, compelling us to buy expensive food from stores using our limited funds. My small vegetable business generates meager income, barely sufficient to meet our family's needs. My husband, who is elderly and retired, doesn't receive his pension, making me the sole provider for the family. Nonetheless, I'm grateful for the financial support, as it has enabled me to cover school fees for my children and purchase food for our household."

"Securing my land with fencing and acquiring a water tank are my foremost objectives for the years ahead. In pursuit of this objective, my plan involves selling my current cattle and subsequently using the proceeds to invest in the aforementioned undertakings. The aid we've received from GiveDirectly has been incredibly valuable, and I am profoundly appreciative of the positive influence it has brought into our lives. My gratitude knows no bounds."

"Sometime is January we were able to purchase a 1000 litre tank for water storage. Water is scarce in our area and getting clean water for drinking is hard. We had wanted to have one but we were inadequate in terms of finances, we resolved to start saving bit by bit until we reached the target of $ 70 which eventually enabled us to afford it. It was quite an achievement and we were overjoyed. We can now drink clean and safe water. It has also eased us the trouble of having to trek for long distances in search of water in the Wesekes river which is also unclean."

"We have lived a life of misery and destitution. Life is full of challenges that even affording the most basic of needs is an uphill task. We have known a life of abject poverty and it seems to get worse thanks to the ever-escalating cost of living. The living conditions we have is bad, the house is mud-walled and in a dilapidated condition. The anti-hills have destroyed the walls and water seeps inside during the rainy season. We have always wanted to build a decent house that can accommodate all of us but lacked the means. These transfers from GiveDirectly could not have come at a better time than this, it is a life changer, and it is going to give us a new lease on life as we intend to build a better house; iron walled and roofed that will cost $450. We plan to use the rest of the money to purchase food and clothes."