"My house and education for the children top the list of my priorities. At the moment, the walls of my house are half open and this has exposed me to any passersby. This has never given me peace because I always feel so ashamed to expose my beddings to people. With this money, I will be able to spend utmost $300 to ensure my house is renovated to put it in a good state. This will restore my dignity and hence, a happy family. Part of this money ($100), will help me to start a project on farming where I will be growing tomatoes through irrigation. Since my husband works at a water site, it will be easy for me to access water for my project. The remaining amount will help me to settle other household needs including; paying school fees and purchasing of new beddings. Hence, this is generally what receiving this money means to me."

"By the time I received the funds, my family was facing the harsh reality of hunger. For three consecutive days, we survived on nothing but pure water, with empty stomachs and no food to eat. The loss of my husband, who was our main provider, had added to the already difficult situation. With a little help from the cash transfers, I decided to use $10 to contribute towards the food needs of my family. While it was not enough to fully alleviate the hunger, it provided some relief during those challenging times. I spent the remaining $24 to buy a goat which holds significant value in our Giriama community. I firmly believe in the saying that "goats are the Giriama banks." I currently have three goats and I am hopeful that as these goats reproduce, they will multiply, allowing me to expand my herd and eventually sell some of them. The income from selling the goats will be crucial in supporting my family's future needs, as we navigate through challenging times."

"My spouse and I rely on the irregular and meager income from casual work, such as farming and fetching firewood and water, to make ends meet. With the current economic challenges causing prices to soar, our daily earnings of about $3 are barely sufficient for our basic needs. Often, we find ourselves skipping meals, and this particularly worried me because I have a five-year-old child who needs proper nutrition during this crucial growth stage. Thanks to the transfer, we were able to purchase the essential food items worth $100, bringing a sense of relief that my children would not have to go without food anymore. Additionally, I used $60 of the transfer to partially pay off my two children's tuition arrears. Though there is still a long way to go in clearing the outstanding balance of $500, I am optimistic that the amount I paid will encourage their teacher to allow them to continue attending school until the next transfer arrives. As a ray of hope for the future, I invested $40 in purchasing 10 chicks to start my poultry farming venture. I believe that as they multiply, this endeavor will become a reliable source of income for my family in the long run. I am grateful for the transfer, as it has brought significant positive changes to our lives and given us hope for a better and more secure future."

"During periods when I have fewer financial responsibilities, I manage to save $5 per month through a self-help group. My primary objective is to use these savings to construct a better house for my family. The current structure we have can hardly be called a house, as it leaks rainwater and consists of just one room. This cramped space is insufficient for my husband, our four children, and myself. I dream of having a traditional mud-walled house with iron sheet roofs, featuring three rooms. This improved housing would provide us with more comfort, space, and privacy. Additionally, I aspire to replace our current sisal-twined beds with decent wooden ones and mattresses."

"With the help of transfers from GiveDirectly, I was finally able to fulfill my dream of building a kitchen for my family. One of the biggest struggles I faced was managing food expenses, especially during difficult times when money was tight. But with the financial support from GiveDirectly, this burden has been significantly eased. Now, I can provide my family with sufficient meals, bringing joy and relief to all of us. What's more, the impact of GiveDirectly's support extends beyond my household. Many people in our community wisely invested their transfers in purchasing water tanks. This decision has brought immense relief to all of us as we no longer have to go through the exhausting hustle of fetching water for domestic use. Moreover, having access to clean water has improved our health, eliminating the constant worry about the water's cleanliness. This entire journey has been nothing short of life-changing for me and my community. I am filled with gratitude, knowing that we can face the future with renewed optimism and a brighter outlook on life."

"In the coming year and beyond, my goal is to acquire a cow that will contribute to milk production for my family of two. Additionally, I aspire to establish a water refill business, as there is a need in the community for a closer and more convenient water source, as people currently have to fetch water from a distance, which is both time-consuming and also expensive."

"I have a strong desire to save enough money to cover my children's school fees. Seeing the challenges other parents face during school opening days has made me anxious about the financial burden. I am willing to open a savings account dedicated to this purpose, as I understand the importance of securing my children's education without unnecessary struggles. In addition, I would like to own a water tank to address the safety concerns when fetching water for my family. The current situation is risky, especially for the children, and I want to take proactive measures to ensure their well-being. Having a water tank at home would provide a reliable and safer water supply, and I am determined to make this happen. To achieve these goals, I am committed to planning and taking practical steps to create a more secure and stable future for my family."

"The first transfer from GiveDirectly brought about a significant change in our living conditions. We had been residing in a small flat-roofed house, and while it kept rainwater out during the rainy season, there was a risk of the mud walls being washed away. Unlike many in our village who constructed their houses with iron sheets, we couldn't afford it before due to other financial obligations. Therefore, our priority was to use a substantial portion of the transfer to obtain construction materials and improve our home. With the money collected, we purchased 8 iron sheets for $84, along with 14 building poles for $42, and two kilograms of nails for $4. We intend to add more iron sheets with the subsequent payments. I am grateful for GiveDirectly's support, and I look forward to starting the construction work soon after receiving the second transfer. Additionally, I spent the remaining $70 to buy a sack of maize, which has been sustaining my family of five during this time when finding casual labor has been challenging. The generous support from GiveDirectly has significantly improved the quality of meals in our household, and I am thankful for it."

"Receiving a text message on my screen, notifying me of a funds from GiveDirectly, filled me with an indescribable joy. The moment remains vivid in my memory; I was at the borehole, fetching water when my phone buzzed with the message. To my surprise, Segovia Technologies had deposited a substantial amount of money into my Mpesa account. The assistance we received has made a profound impact on our lives, and for that, I am truly grateful."

"Upon receiving the most recent transfer from GiveDirectly, I immediately set to work on my tomatoes farm and a new piece of land that needed preparation for the upcoming planting season. With the funds, I spent $250 on completing the management practices for the tomatoes farming and getting the additional acre of land ready for planting maize, with the aim of using the crops for both home consumption and selling any surplus to cover other household bills. I spent the remaining $200, to cover labor costs for planting maize on one acre, and this included the installation of new irrigation pipes across the entire area. Having access to sufficient water for irrigation greatly facilitated our work, and we are optimistic about achieving a bountiful harvest by the end of the season, which will undoubtedly benefit my family of seven."