"I work as a seasonal beautician at my friend's salon where I am paid on a commission basis mostly $2 per day. Since I do this part-time, I have desired to start a salon that I can depend on but due to lack of capital, this has never come through. With the help from GiveDirectly, I am so optimistic that I will be able to realize my dream. I plan to save my 4 monthly transfers to use them as the initial capital for my business. This will guarantee me a reliable source of income that can support my family's basic needs like food and clothing. On the other hand, this grant will also support my children's education and hence a better future."

"Imagine being a casual laborer who prepares farms in our area where rains are no longer reliable! It has been a very hard time for me to support my family in terms of meeting some very basic needs like food and education. Since my work is not consistent my family has suffered a lot in getting meals and also in most cases, the children are sent out of school. Hence, the lack of a reliable source of income is the challenge that I am currently facing."

"Being a housewife means depending on my husband who is doing casual work in the construction sites in Mombasa. This is something that has robbed away my joy since I sometimes skip some meals when he fails to provide us with cash. Seeing my children sleeping hungry makes me feel like an irresponsible mother and this is the challenge that I am currently facing."

"I am a charcoal vendor, a very strenuous job, and low paying. This job is no longer reliable since trees in our area are not in plenty and I am now forced to dig out some tree stumps that I use to make charcoal. The income from this job is 600 KES per 3 weeks which is also not consistent. Hence, the lack of a reliable source of income is what I am currently facing."

"Food security in my household is generally what receiving this money means to me. Currently, I work as a subsistence farmer which majorly depends on rains but this is no longer reliable due to the harsh weather conditions. This has forced me to depend on my son who is doing casual jobs of construction at Mombasa and the much he can support me is 1600 KES per month. This is not enough to fully cater to my family's needs and sometimes we skip meals. The cash grant from GiveDirectly will be a great relief to me since I will be able to get enough food for my family. On the other hand, it will also support my son's education who is now in form one."

"I felt a great happiness when I received the money because I had so many needs and desires I wanted to achieve but did not have the financial muscle to do that. So, I was very happy to get that kind of assistance. I am ever so grateful to GiveDirectly"

"What, I can say, took a huge part of my transfer are the three goats that cost a total of KES15000 because goats are an investment in our area and I believe that they will multiply, increase in numbers and I will be able to depend on them in future to address the challenges that I will face. I also spent KES7000 to settle my grandchild's school fees arrears because she was not enrolled in the GiveDirectly program and I did not want her to stay at home while I got some money. I also did this because I know it is something that I can count on when she completes her education and gets employed. She will not forget me and will take care of me. This gives me so much hope and joy."

"I spent most of my transfer seeking medical attention because I was so sick at the time I received the money and could not even help with my duties around the house as well as engage in any income-generating activities. This was even worsening my already weakening health because I was suffering psychologically too, therefore, it was a miracle to receive this kind of money that saved me in a way that I can neither comprehend nor tell. I could not be happier and more grateful. I spent a total of KES34000 on medication because I had to spend close to a whole week in-patient. I am, however, now very happy and grateful that I am on the road to recovery and I can even hold conversations comfortably, all thanks to GiveDirectly. I also bought a goat for KES3000 which is an investment that will live on, will multiply and through it, I will always remember the kind of assistance I received from GiveDirectly."

"Casual jobs are paying little money in our area. This little money makes me strain financially and unable to provide food for my family. It forces us to rely on less preferred foods like tea with sweet potatoes or even skip meals."

"My area is prone to drought and whenever it strikes we have a water shortage and feed for livestock. So when I get this money I will dig a big dam that will collect water enough to last the drought season. To dig it I need around KES 50000 and the remaining amount I will spend on planting dairy feeds like Napier grass. With water and food availability my cows can yield more milk which will generate income and also for household use since Milk contains vital nutrients for the development of children."