"When I received the cash transfer, the first thing I did was buy a mattress and a bed for $80. The old mattress I had was completely worn out, and the bed frame was broken, making it impossible to get a good night’s sleep. I really needed that upgrade. After that, I bought a plastic table and two chairs for $36. Before, I only had one chair and no table, which made it hard when guests came over. Now, we have a proper place to sit and eat together as a family. With $40, I was able to pay my son’s school fees. He’s in Form Two, and I didn’t want him to miss any classes because of unpaid fees—it’s very important to me that he stays in school. I also set aside another $40 to buy food. This allowed me to stock up on essential items, which gave me peace of mind knowing that we wouldn't struggle to put meals on the table for a while. The rest of the money went toward buying clothes for my children. They had outgrown most of their clothes, and it felt good to finally be able to replace some of their worn-out items. Watching them walk around in new outfits made me feel proud and grateful."

"I want to buy a 50 by 100 plot, somewhere away from where I currently stay, so that I can move out. I am already living on a similar-sized piece of land, but I want to increase the space and secure a new location for the future. To raise the money for this new plot, I’ve leased a farm, and I’m planning to plant maize. Once I harvest, I’ll sell the maize and use that money to buy the new land. I am optimistic about the plan, confident that the maize would bring in enough funds to make this dream a reality."

"When I received the cash, the first thing I did was buy two bags of maize for $54. I depend on casual labor and selling charcoal to make ends meet, and having food stocked up gave me peace of mind. Feeding my family is always a struggle, so I knew this would keep us going for a while without worrying about our next meal. I also bought a goat and a sheep for $110, something I’ve always dreamed of owning. In the future, they can multiply or be sold during hard times. Having them makes me feel more secure because they’re assets I can rely on when I need quick income. Since I wasn’t feeling well, I spent $5 on medication to treat myself. I couldn’t afford to let the illness slow me down with so much to do. Lastly, I used $8 on my children’s school fees. Education is very important to me, and I want my kids to have better opportunities, even if it’s only a small contribution for now. Every bit helps keep them in school."

"In my old age, I am not able to fend for myself and have to rely on other people to provide for me. As a result, I sometimes sleep hungry when I don't find any help. This really makes me sad. I am however grateful because my children provide for me despite the hard economic times they are also facing."

"I work as a mechanic in Mombasa, but my limited earnings make it challenging to support my family. I rely on my GiveDirectly transfers alongside my job income to help cover rent, purchase food, and care for my loved ones. Due to my financial circumstances, I need to explore additional ways to generate income. I've been considering animal husbandry to increase my earnings. At present, I have 5 goats and around 20 chickens, which I can sell for extra cash during financial emergencies. In the upcoming year and beyond, I plan to invest more in goat farming. My goal is to acquire additional animals so they can breed and produce even more. This venture will provide me with financial security for the future, as I can sell the animals if I face any financial challenges to support my family."

"When the floods hit, they destroyed almost everything—our farms, our belongings, and even our houses. Fortunately, before all this, I had managed to buy a piece of land in a safer location. So, with the cash transfer I received, I demolished our old house, gathered up whatever usable materials I could salvage, and set out to build a new home on the new land.The new house I built has three rooms, which gives us more space than before, and I even managed to add an outside kitchen. This took up the entire $450 from the cash transfer, but it was worth every cent. We now have a solid roof over our heads, something I am genuinely grateful for. The whole family feels a sense of relief, knowing we no longer have to worry about the floodwaters rising around us. Now that we’re settled into our new home, I feel a sense of peace. Moving to this location has lifted a huge weight off my shoulders, and I’m just happy to see my family safe and secure."

"GiveDirectly didn’t try to tell me what to do with the funds or pressure me into spending in a specific way. They genuinely believed in me and trusted that I would make the right choices for myself and my family. That trust meant a lot—it gave me confidence and allowed me to carefully plan and prioritize what we truly needed. I also appreciated how everything was explained in clear detail. The process was straightforward, and every question I had was answered fully. There was no confusion about how things would work, and I never felt unsure about what to expect. I don’t see anything that needs to be changed because they really took the time to ensure I understood the support and how to access it. This transparency made me feel respected and valued, and it showed me that GiveDirectly is truly committed to helping us in a way that uplifts rather than limits us."

"My primary goal is to attend college and study building and construction. With my parents out of work and relying on peasant farming, I’ve taken it upon myself to work hard in my second-hand clothing business to save for my college fees. I remain optimistic that I can reach this goal with the support from GiveDirectly. Once I've saved enough, I plan to pass my business on to my sister, who has finished high school but hasn’t found a way to enroll in college despite her passing grades. After I complete my course, I intend to help her with her college education."

"My goal is to build my own house within the next year and beyond. I've already purchased iron sheets, building poles, and some essential materials, which is a positive step forward. I just need a few more items to kick off the construction. My plan is to use my transfers to buy all the necessary materials and start the building as soon as possible. Right now, I'm in college pursuing a mechanics course, and I hope to finish in about a year. I also need to acquire some equipment to set up my workshop. Therefore, my plans include completing the construction of my house before using my transfers to invest in these tools. Ultimately, I aim to be employed for a while to save up for my own garage."

"When I received the unconditional cash transfer, I prioritized paying off the school fees arrears for my three children in secondary school, which cost me $200. Education is very important to me, and I didn’t want them to miss any more classes due to unpaid fees. Clearing their balances brought me a huge sense of relief, knowing they could now focus fully on their studies without the worry of being sent home. I also spent $100 to replace my bed and mattress, which were destroyed by floods. For months, I’d been sleeping on sacks and mats, and finally having a proper bed again felt like a return to dignity and comfort. It was a long-awaited change, and I’m grateful to have a place to sleep that provides me with proper rest. With the remaining money, I bought household essentials, including two bags of maize to ensure my family had enough food. Food security has been a constant concern, so securing this supply was a top priority. I also set aside a small amount for emergencies or additional food needs that may arise. This support has truly helped me stabilize my household and provide a better environment for my family."