"The day before I received my May transfers, my three children were sent home from school due to their substantial outstanding school fee balances. I was overwhelmed with distress, unsure of where to find the funds to settle their fees. My husband, who works as a casual laborer in Mombasa town, struggled to secure employment due to the poor economy and limited job opportunities. However, my heart was filled with joy the following day when I received my transfer, knowing that my children could finally return to school and continue their education alongside their peers. To address the accumulated school fee debt that had been building up since the beginning of the year, I allocated $10 towards its partial payment. Additionally, I used $16 to purchase essential items such as five packets of maize flour, a kilogram of sugar, washing detergents, and personal necessities that I rely on daily. While I still have to buy all our food from the store at inflated prices, I am grateful that our situation has significantly improved. Unlike before, when we would experience prolonged periods without enough food, we now rarely miss meals, and our diet has improved thanks to the transfer money. As a future investment, I invested $8 in acquiring two hens. In a few months' time, they are expected to reproduce, allowing me to sell some if an emergency arises and fulfill my needs."

"My priority has always been paying my children's school fees since I began receiving the transfers. Raising the fees for them was difficult because I relied on my husband, who has yet to find work after graduating from college. I also run a tailoring business, which isn't doing well enough to support my family and pay bills. The transfer allowed me to pay off my three children's elementary school fees. I was able to pay their fees on time, allowing them to stay in school without interruptions due to fees. For their sake, I've been paying $ 28 every month. I am confident that their education will not be halted, as it was previously when they were sent home for failing to pay on time. Furthermore, I have been using the transfers to purchase foodstuffs such as maize flour and other cereals, ensuring that food is always available in my household. We are currently experiencing difficult economic conditions, with rising commodity prices making it difficult to afford basic necessities such as food. However, the transfer has assisted me in overcoming this, and I am pleased that my children are well fed and that there is no food shortage in my household."

"I am actively involved in two saving groups, a merry-go-round club at my home where I save $10 monthly, and another self-help group where I save $15 monthly for a year and receive a lump sum at year-end. I plan to utilize these savings by the end of the year to enroll in a carpentry college. Despite graduating from high school four years ago, I have been unable to pursue further studies due to financial constraints. Additionally, the pressing financial obligations, particularly related to food, continue to burden my household, often compelling me to allocate a significant portion of my earnings from casual jobs toward meeting this basic necessity. I am grateful that through the cash transfers, I have an opportunity to enroll in college as I have always wished. After saving, I usually dedicate the remaining funds toward purchasing food for the household. Food scarcity is a prevalent challenge in my family, exacerbated by the increasing prices. Gladly, the cash transfers have ensured we have food on most days."

"The persistent drought forced me to find alternative means of livelihood, leading me to rely on the sale of charcoal. However, with the arrival of the long-awaited rains, I am back on the farm, filled with hope for a bountiful harvest. Unfortunately, my husband underwent a surgery a few years ago, rendering him unable to work, which leaves me as the sole provider for our family. To prepare my one-acre land for planting, I invested $20 in farming activities. Currently, I have begun planting various crops such as maize, green grams, and beans. The prospect of having an abundance of food for both sustenance and surplus income fills me with great joy. Furthermore, I managed to cover my son's school fees with a payment of $5, ensuring he can continue his education without the risk of being sent home. With regards to our daily sustenance, I recently purchased essential food items. This included four packets of 2kg maize flour, a quarter kilogram of sugar, and 50 grams of tea leaves all worth $9. The escalating prices of food over the past few months have been a significant burden for us, but we are thankful for the monthly stipend, which serves as a lifeline during these challenging times."

"As the sole breadwinner in my family of four, I bear the responsibility of providing for everyone. My husband, due to his old age, is unable to work and can only tend to our livestock by taking them to the field. While I manage a small business selling palm wine, the income it generates is not substantial enough. Consequently, there are times when I struggle to meet the family's financial needs. In May, a significant portion of the $20 I received went towards my daughter's college tuition fees. She recently started her beauty course, specializing in hair styling. It brings me great joy to know that she will acquire enough knowledge and skills in the next two years to establish her own business and assist me as well. In addition to the tuition fees, I allocated $10 to prepare my half-acre farm for planting. Finally, after a long wait of over six years, the rain has arrived. This presents a wonderful opportunity for me to resume farming, with hopes of a bountiful harvest. A successful harvest would alleviate the burden of purchasing food at exorbitant prices from the store. Having an abundance of food would ensure that we never go hungry or skip meals again. With the remaining $4, I purchased a packet of maize flour and sugar, which would sustain us for an extra day. I eagerly awaited the chance to capitalize on my business and buy more food for my family."

"My recent transfers were mostly used to pay school fees for my nine children, two in high school and seven in primary school. Raising fees for all of them would have been difficult for me because I don't have a single source of income. My husband, the household's sole breadwinner, looks after livestock, which does not pay well. Because my goal as a parent is to keep my children in school and prevent their learning from being disrupted, I have been paying for them on time. Aside from the fees, I've been saving a portion of the transfer that allowed me to purchase two goats, and I now have five of them. I intend to keep these goats, allowing them to reproduce and multiply in number. When the time comes for my children to further their education, I can easily sell the goats to help them. Finally, the transfer assisted me in purchasing food for my family. I bought maize flour and other cereals to make sure my family had enough food. Despite the harsh economic conditions we are in and the increased prices of basic necessities, my children can now eat three meals a day."

"In my family, lack of food is always a concern, which is now compounded by the rising prices of basic commodities. Aside from this, my husband and I struggle to maintain a stable source of income to meet the needs of our seven children. The cash transfer has been instrumental in supporting us in providing for our family's basic needs. Recently, I allocated $29 towards the purchase of food, and I am grateful that this has ensured that we never run out of food. It allows us to carry out our farm work with full stomachs, promoting productivity and well-being. Additionally, I used the remaining funds to reduce a school fee debt for my four children who are in primary school. This payment bought them more time to stay in school, and I am confident that the school will allow them to continue their studies as I have committed to pay the school fees every month."

"I love the fact that GD has consistently fulfilled their promises, delivering what was initially communicated. Furthermore, I admire the conduct of their employees working in the field, as they demonstrate a high level of interactivity and understanding towards the beneficiaries. However, considering the current challenging circumstances with the increasing cost of living and skyrocketing prices of goods, I do have a wish for the organization to provide additional aid. While acknowledging and appreciating the assistance we currently receive, it is becoming increasingly difficult to cope with the rising expenses"

"I work as a peasant farmer, while my husband earns a living as a mason. Both of our income sources are meager, so we face difficulties in meeting our family's needs. One of the essential requirements is paying school fees for my two grandchildren, whom we take care of. My daughter, who is the mother of my two grandchildren, is disabled and unable to care for them. Unfortunately, my two grandchildren have accumulated significant school fee debts, resulting in frequent dismissals from school until the fees are paid. This situation has caused them to miss important classes and negatively impact their academic performance. I managed to pay off a portion of the outstanding school fee debt with $15. Although I still have a remaining balance of $5, I am pleased that my grandchildren can continue their education. It brings me happiness and relief. With the remaining $19, I bought food. Previously, we had experienced nights of hunger due to a lack of funds to purchase food. The monthly stipend now provides us with a financial boost, ensuring that we never go to sleep on an empty stomach again. I am grateful to the organization for their assistance and encourage them to continue helping people, especially during these times when the prices of essential food items like sugar and maize flour have skyrocketed."

"Having gained extensive experience in the field of livestock farming, I consider myself highly knowledgeable in this domain. Given the downturn in the market for selling livestock, I plan to utilize my monthly transfers to expand my livestock holdings. I maintain a positive outlook, anticipating a future when livestock prices will rise significantly, presenting an opportune moment for me to sell my animals and generate substantial profits. At present, my livestock inventory consists of 146 sheep and goats, along with 20 hens. My main objective revolves around augmenting this count and fostering the growth of my herd."