"The transfers from GiveDirectly have brought so much hope to my family, especially in securing my children’s education. For the coming year and beyond, I plan to continue dedicating part of these funds to cover their school fees, ensuring they can stay in school and focus on their studies. In addition, I intend to invest another portion of the transfers in livestock, such as goats and chickens, with the hope that they will multiply and grow in value over time. These animals will become a valuable asset, providing us with a stable source of support, especially for the future when this program ends. I am truly grateful for the support GiveDirectly has provided. It has given us a brighter outlook on what lies ahead."

"My health condition remains a central part of my life, and I plan to keep managing it carefully. In the coming year and beyond, I intend to continue using a portion of my GiveDirectly transfers to support my health needs so I can lead a better life. Additionally, with my house having collapsed, I am now in the process of building a new one. I plan to keep allocating part of my transfers toward purchasing building materials to complete my two-roomed house. Once it is finished and my health is stable, I will finally have a home to return to, rather than depending on my brother, who has been helping me manage my condition. Thereafter, my next goal is to use part of the transfers to buy a goats, hoping they will multiply over time increasing in number and value. I am optimistic that this small investment will provide a reliable source of support for me, especially when this program eventually comes to an end. I am deeply grateful for these transfers, which have not only helped me manage my health but also allowed me to work towards having a home of my own."

"The officers from GiveDirectly treated everyone fairly and made sure to enroll all of us without discrimination. They educated us about how the money works and how to use it wisely. Their focus was only on helping us, with no hidden agenda or extra business involved. I appreciate their approach and how they made us feel valued. I did not notice anything negative about their work or behavior. Overall, I believe they are doing a great job, and I hope they continue to support those who need it."

"My husband works as a tour guide, it's our main source of income. Ever since after the COVID-19 pandemic the tourism sector was hit. Additionally, in recent years Lake Baringo has been expanding submerging most of the hotels which host tourists. This has made our household income low, we're not able to educate our children or provide good living conditions. I have a daughter who completed secondary education two years ago and has not been able to join college due to lack of funds. It worries me a lot seeing our daughter at home not being able to pursue her dream of being a nurse."

"The impact of the cash transfer on my life has been significant, allowing me to make essential improvements to my home and provide for my family. I invested $280 to purchase cement to upgrade my house, as the previous mud floor became unmanageable during flooding. Last time, the water took too long to drain, leaving our home cold and uncomfortable. By replacing the mud floor with cement, I created a more durable and safer living space for my family. Furthermore, I had previously bought a plot of land in a higher area to protect against floods but had not completed the payment. With this cash, I was able to clear the remaining $70 of that bill.With my family's needs in mind, I also set aside $100 for my wife to buy food and clothes for our children. It had been a long time since we could afford to purchase new clothes, and I didn’t want them to feel embarrassed or less fortunate. The joy on their faces when they received the clothes was priceless, and it made me feel proud to provide for them. We’ve always supported each other through farming vegetables and burning charcoal, but the extra money has truly changed our lives.This cash transfer has not only improved our living conditions but also brought hope and stability to our family. My wife and I now feel more empowered to focus on our farming efforts without the constant worry of survival. Life has improved significantly, and I am grateful for the opportunity to invest in our future. With this support, I am confident that we can continue to build a better life for our five children and ourselves."

"GiveDirectly did a great job by talking nicely to us and being very humble. They educated us well about how to use the money effectively, which made us feel supported. The officers were always happy when they visited us, and that made a positive impact on our community. They also followed up to ensure we spent the money in the right way, which I appreciate. I did not see anything bad during this process; everything went smoothly. However, it would be helpful if they could reach out to more people in need in our area."

"Caring for my family and securing our future has always been my biggest dream. When I received the cash transfer, I felt a wave of hope wash over me. I used $250 to buy five sheep, knowing they would not only help me earn money but also support my children's school fees. These sheep are more than just animals to me; they are a lifeline, a way to ensure that my children have a better future. In addition, I spent $80 to hire laborers to harvest my beans, and I was filled with joy when I saw the five bags weighing 90 kilograms each. Knowing that we have enough beans at home brings me comfort and reduces our worries about food.The remaining $100 went to buy food for my family, which has been so important since the floods took away two acres of our farmland. Life has been tough, and my husband and I have struggled to find work to support our four children. We worked long hours in casual jobs just to get by, but the cash transfer has changed everything for us. Now, I can focus on farming and providing for my family without the constant stress of looking for daily work. This support has given us a renewed sense of hope and the strength to move forward.With this opportunity, I feel empowered to create a brighter future for my family. The sheep will be a source of income, and the beans will keep our bellies full. I am deeply thankful for the chance to rebuild our lives after the floods and to give my children a good education. This experience has opened my eyes to the importance of making wise investments, and I am committed to making the most of this chance. Each step I take is for my family's future, and I am determined to ensure they have a better life."

"In the coming years, I want to focus on farming by planting beans and vegetables because they grow quickly, usually in about two months. This fast turnaround will help me generate income to pay for my children's school fees. Furthermore, I hope to have enough surplus food at home, ensuring my family is well-fed. I believe that with careful planning and hard work, I can improve our living situation. By prioritizing crops that yield quickly, I can create a stable foundation for my family’s future. Ultimately, my goal is to provide a better life for my children and help them succeed in their education."

"Starting fresh after losing everything to the floods has been a challenge, but I am determined to create a better life for my children. I used $50 of my unconditional cash transfer to pay school fees for my children, as their education is my top priority. Previously, I relied on my business of selling food and other goods to support us, but the floods destroyed my shop and wiped out my stock. Despite this setback, I borrowed money to restock my shop and get back on my feet. However, the competition has increased, and my daily income has dropped from $15 to $8, as more people have opened businesses after receiving their own cash transfers.Being a single mother is tough, especially when my children depend solely on me for their needs. The pressure of paying school fees was overwhelming, but now I feel more hopeful. Although I faced struggles and moments of depression, I am gradually finding my way. My children’s happiness motivates me to keep pushing forward, and I am committed to providing them with the education they deserve.Furthermore, I have managed to save $400, which I plan to use for school fees when they return in January. This financial cushion gives me peace of mind and shows that my hard work is paying off. I am determined to ensure that my children have a brighter future, and I believe that with continued effort and support, we will overcome these challenges together."

"Investing in watermelon farming has always been my goal, but limited resources kept me from moving forward. This time, I finally managed to make it happen. I spent $420 to buy seeds, prepare the land, and hire a tractor to get things ready. Additionally, I needed to buy fuel for the generator to pump water from the lake. Planting one acre of watermelon was a significant expense, but now the field is flourishing, and I’m hopeful for a great harvest. In our area, watermelons tend to do very well, and if all goes as planned, I could fill one lorry, which might bring in around $1,000.Since we’ve faced challenges in the past, this opportunity feels like a turning point. I used to farm maize, but frequent flooding would ruin the crops, leaving us struggling to make ends meet. With the extra cash, I also spent $30 on food for my family, as we’ve had to depend mainly on what we grow. Unfortunately, we lost all our maize in the last flood, so this support has allowed us to put food on the table while my watermelon crop matures.My wife is an early childhood teacher, and her salary helps us pay school fees for our three children, though it’s modest. Her support has been invaluable, especially during tough seasons when farming yields were low. Now, with this new venture, I feel more optimistic about our future and the stability it could bring. Watermelon farming holds real promise, and this cash transfer has allowed us to start building a more secure and hopeful future."