"Currently because of my old age I'm facing a lot of challenges. One of the main challenges I'm facing is getting money to provide for my family since I don't have enough energy to do casual work. I have been forced to sell part of my livestock in order to provide for them and also pay school fees for my granddaughter Jepchirchir."

"Their staff came to visit us to understand our living conditions, which made me feel seen and valued. They didn’t send middlemen; instead, they came themselves, which built trust right from the start. Throughout the process, they spoke to us with kindness and respect—there was no harassment or pressure, just clear communication. They explained everything thoroughly, so I knew exactly what to expect and how the funds would come. Even after receiving the money, GiveDirectly didn’t forget about us. They followed up to check how we were doing, ensuring we were managing well and finding out if the support made a difference. Honestly, I wouldn’t change anything about how they operate—they’ve done everything right. Their approach was transparent, respectful, and effective, which makes all the difference for people like us who rarely experience such direct and dignified support."

"Financial challenges are the biggest challenge. I sell tea and cakes to make a living and this earns me $ 2 a day. I hardly save any amount because i use all of it to purchase food and school utilities for my grandchildren. If I had a better source of income I would meet my needs comfortably."

"Since I got divorced about one year ago, life has been tasking both emotionally and mentally. I am currently employed as a taxi driver and the $2 I earn in a day would only cater for my food or decide to send the entire amount towards supporting my 2 children. Things were different when my ex wife was with me since she used to supplement my income from her casual jobs in the village."

"My primary goal for the coming year and beyond is to complete building my dream house, a project I’ve already begun. Not having a proper home has been challenging, but I’ve always envisioned living in an iron-roofed house. To bring this dream to life, I’ve been setting aside a portion of my monthly income to buy building materials gradually. So far, I’ve managed to buy a few iron sheets and some building poles, and I’m hopeful that construction can begin soon. An iron-roofed house will provide much-needed protection from the rain, which has been a constant struggle in my current living situation. I am determined to save more to purchase the remaining poles, timber, nails, and cover labor costs to bring this dream to fruition. In addition to my housing project, I’m also committed to enrolling my child in secondary school, as he completed primary school last year. Ensuring he continues his education is very important to me, so I’ve started saving $1,000 each month towards his school fees. Thanks to these efforts, I have managed to build most of the house and only have the door left to complete."

"I currently have a small one-room house, which is no longer sufficient for my growing family. My goal for the coming year is to to build a new, three-room house to better accommodate us. This improvement would make a significant difference in our lives, as the current space has been challenging. I plan to fund this construction by selling some of my livestock and saving a portion of my income from work. Having a proper home will reduce the stress we face, provide us with safety and security, and improve our overall quality of life. I'm grateful for this chance to create a better living environment, and I am committed to making it happen for the well-being of my family."

"In the coming year and beyond, I plan to invest in buying goats. My goal is to sell them in the future to earn money for food and school fees, especially as their numbers increase. I have already purchased seven goats and two sheep using my monthly savings. My children are still in school, and as they progress, their school fees continue to rise. I want to stay ahead by preparing for this financial need. Currently, I have a total of eight goats, three of which are expecting. I've witnessed my goats reproduce, and I am confident they will keep multiplying. This will ensure that when the need for school fees arises, my husband can sell some goats to provide the necessary cash. Additionally, I want to be able to buy them school uniforms and shoes as needed, which will also be supported by the sales from these animals."

"I've been living in a grass-thatched house for years, but my dream has always been to have an iron-roofed house. To make this dream a reality, I've been setting aside a portion of my monthly income to gradually purchase building materials. So far, I've managed to acquire 22 iron sheets and some building poles, and I'm hopeful that I can begin construction soon. My primary focus is achieving this goal, as an iron-roofed house will provide much-needed protection from the rains, which have been a constant challenge in my current home. I plan to continue saving to buy the remaining building poles, timber, and nails, as well as to cover labor costs. Alongside this, I am also using part of my transfer to boost on my poultry and goat business , which will support me in finishing up the building work and achieving a more secure future."

"My goal is to revive my restaurant, where I used to serve a variety of dishes like chapatis, beans, tea, and ugali. Running my own business is more fulfilling than working for someone else, as it allows me to invest extra effort into ensuring its success. Currently, I am doing hairdressing at clients' homes for a small fee after having to close down the restaurant due to several challenges. I am determined to bring the restaurant back to life, fulfilling my entrepreneurial dreams. The prolonged drought led to a severe water shortage, forcing me to temporarily close the restaurant. The nearest water source was far from my shop, and water was being sold at $0.55 per 20-liter container, making it unsustainable to keep the business running. This situation caused losses and reduced customer visits. However, I am planning to reopen the restaurant soon. Until then, I am sustaining myself by offering hairdressing services to clients in their homes."

"GiveDirectly excels in delivering financial assistance directly to recipients' phones, significantly minimizing the risk of corruption. This approach ensures that the funds reach those who need them most without the interference of intermediaries. Additionally, the organization’s practice of providing money in installments allows recipients to plan effectively and allocate resources more wisely over time. When funds are given in one large sum, it can lead to misuse or hasty spending, undermining the intended support. I can’t identify any areas for improvement; I believe continuing this effective strategy will further enhance its impact on communities."