"I am currently building a new house for my family, as the one we live in now is so rundown and unsafe that I feel as if I am practically sleeping outside. It is even on the verge of collapsing. To make this new home a reality, I have been using a portion of my previous transfers to buy building materials. My goal for the coming year and beyond is to keep investing part of my transfers from GiveDirectly toward buying more materials until the house is fully completed. Once we are able to move in, I will feel a huge sense of relief, no longer worrying about the house falling down on us. Afterward, I plan to use another portion of the transfers to buy goats and chicken, hoping they will multiply over time, creating a sustainable resource that I can rely on to support my family in the future. I am incredibly grateful for this support and looking forward to better days ahead."

"Prolonged period of drought is making our life harder. I have four livestock which is taken care of by my grandfather who lives far away from the village. They cannot survive here as there is no grass to graze them due to drought. On average, we get rainfall at least 3 times a year which is extremely low and literally nothing can grow here apart from cactus. We are therefore, forced to buy milk for domestic use which is expensive. Buying a litre of milk at KES 50 saddens me keeping in mind of other domestic recurrent expenditures yet I could have taken care of my cattle here."

"GiveDirectly support enabled me to enroll at Mnazi Mwenga Secondary School, a long-held dream of mine. The school fees are manageable, and the teachers are exceptionally understanding. I discussed my situation with our school bazaar and informed him that I would be paying in installments. He agreed, which has allowed me to continue my education. Although life has been challenging at times and I’ve felt hopeless, GiveDirectly has restored my optimism. My aim in the coming year and beyond is to complete my studies and become the first person in my family to finish Secondary school. I pray to God for the chance to advance to college, graduate, secure a good job, and improve my family's living conditions, while also dreaming of building a spacious house for us all, despite currently living in a two small roomed house with my eight siblings."

"I depend on keeping livestock to sustain my family of 6. Last year at the height of a prolonged drought, I lost about ten of my sheep before I sold the remaining fifteen for a throw away price. Without a firm footing to further support my family, we have slept hungry some of the days while my children have not had all the necessary requirements in school due to this lack of finances."

"In the upcoming year, I initially planned to buy a motorbike. However, I've encountered some difficulties saving enough money, especially since I need to pay my school fees as a third-form secondary school student. So, I’ve decided to shift my focus. Instead, I’m looking into starting a grocery business and will hire someone at a small fee to manage it while I’m at school. I believe that the earnings from this venture will eventually help me purchase that motorbike in the future. Since I’m still studying and almost finished with my secondary education, having someone oversee the business seems like the wisest choice for now. I’m truly grateful to GiveDirectly for the financial support, which has made it easier for me to attend school and pursue my future plans."

"Shop business has been our main source of income for some years. Currently, the business is not performing well. Our sales per day have diminished a lot leading to low profits. This has affected our ability to provide food or even other necessities for our children. The economy has become really difficult and most customers no longer have their initial purchasing power."

"Life took a turn for the better when I received the unconditional cash transfer, and I knew exactly how to spend it. Having sold all our livestock to pay for my children’s school fees, I was eager to invest in our future. I used $300 to purchase six sheep, which would not only provide us with food but also serve as an emergency resource. To my joy, two of the sheep have already given birth, and I am excited about the possibility of expanding our flock further. This investment has brought me a sense of security, knowing we have something to rely on in tough times.Furthermore, I spent $100 on food, as my husband and I had been depending on casual jobs like burning charcoal and working on other people's farms to make ends meet. With eight children to care for, this was a constant struggle. The income from our casual work was often insufficient to cover our daily needs, leaving us worried about how to provide. Now, with the cash transfer, I can focus on ensuring my family has enough to eat without the stress of searching for casual jobs every day. Finally, I allocated $50 to buy clothes, including school uniforms for my children. We had some clothes, but they were not suitable for special occasions or school. Being able to provide my children with proper clothing has lifted my spirits and made me feel proud as a parent. Life has become easier since receiving this money, allowing me to stay home and manage household chores instead of constantly looking for work. I am incredibly grateful for this support, as it has significantly improved our quality of life."

"In the coming years, my plan is to focus on farming, as I have always been a farmer at heart. Although I was affected by floods in the past, I believe that planting maize can bring significant profits that will help improve my life. I want to invest in better farming techniques and tools to ensure a successful harvest. By doing this, I can provide for my family and create a more stable future for us. Farming has always been my passion, and I am determined to make it work again. My ultimate goal is to build a better life for myself and my children through hard work and dedication to agriculture."

"When I received the cash transfer, it felt like a lifeline for my family. I immediately used $125 to pay the house rent for my child who is in university. The landlord was about to close the room due to unpaid rent, which had been giving me sleepless nights. As a parent of 13 children, managing our finances is challenging, especially since my wife and I only work in farming and burn charcoal to provide for them. It was a relief to secure my child's living situation and ensure they had a safe place to stay while studying. Furthermore, I spent $10 on medicine for my seven-year-old child who has leukemia. Watching my child suffer has been heartbreaking, and the medical expenses were adding up. This small amount helped me purchase essential medicine, easing my worries about his health. I felt a sense of comfort knowing that I could provide him with the care he needs, even if just for a little while. With the remaining money, I focused on buying food for our family. We had been struggling to eat, relying solely on our farming efforts, which had not been fruitful lately. I had to sell some of our livestock to cover school fees, leaving us with little to eat. Now, with this cash transfer, I could finally fill our pantry and provide proper meals for my children. This support has lifted a huge burden off my shoulders and brought some hope back into our lives."

"The moment I received the money was unforgettable. It was around 5 AM, and I was lying in bed, relaxing with my phone in hand. Suddenly, a message popped up, confirming that I had received the cash transfer. I felt a surge of excitement and quickly jumped out of bed to get dressed. Eager to share my joy, I went to my neighbor's house to see if she had received her money too. When she said yes, we both celebrated together, filled with happiness. As I walked back home, I started thinking about how to send some of that money for my children's school fees. Later that day, when my daughter was sent home for fees, I felt so relieved knowing I could send her back to school with all the money she needed."