"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."

"When I am blessed to receive money, my first goal is to purchase my own land. Currently, I am leasing the land for farming, and it is very costly. Leasing each year adds up, making it difficult to sustain my farming efforts. I plan to focus on large-scale farming, where I can plant a variety of crops such as vegetables, beans, and watermelons. This will not only provide food for my family but also create a source of income. By investing in my own land, I believe I can build a better future for myself and my family."

"GiveDirectly did a wonderful job educating us clearly about their cash transfer program, including all the rules and procedures. They made sure we understood that the money is meant to improve our lives and should be used responsibly. I appreciate how they patiently explained everything and encouraged us to make good choices. The team was respectful, and their advice felt genuine and caring. I haven’t noticed anything negative; everything has been handled well, and their support has truly helped my family. I’m grateful for the way GiveDirectly operates and for the positive impact they’ve made in our community."

"Loneliness is the greatest challenge am currently facing.I am a teacher at Loruk primary school which is 15 kilometers from my home.I commute to school daily ,this is hectic and straineous for me because I have to do household chores and cook for myself later in the evening.Life has been challenging to me since the demise of my lovely wife in the year 2022.I am currently stranded and confused on wether to remarry or not.I have fears on restarting marriage life because my 4 children are now elderly, my last born is currently 20 years . The thought of having a baby at my age of 50 freaks me out a lot moreso since am now a grandfather.I am currently learning to let go of the good memories we had with my wife , (hough painful) so that my life can go on smoothly."

"As a single mom of three, I have faced many challenges, but I am determined to create a better future for my family. This year, I did not plant anything on my acre of land because I was blessed with a beautiful daughter, and I wanted to focus on her during this precious time. Currently, I rely on casual jobs to support my children, but I know that farming has the potential to provide us with greater stability. This coming year, I am planning to return to farming, eagerly waiting for the rains to start so I can plant again. I intend to use my final transfer to meet production costs. With successful harvests, I will use the income to support my family and secure a brighter future for my children."

"I began my journey of building a new house with my first cash transfer. I used that initial amount to buy a few materials to start the construction. After receiving my second transfer, I purchased the remaining building materials, including iron sheets and posts, which were essential for completing the structure. My previous house had an iron sheet roof and muddy walls, but during the floods, those walls were severely damaged; you could see right through to the outside. Repairing it had proven to be a challenge, which motivated me to build a new house on raised ground to avoid future flooding. I constructed a one-roomed iron sheet house that cost me $420, while the remaining $30 went toward buying food. Since we lost our crops to the floods, we have been relying solely on casual jobs and charcoal production to meet our needs, but that income is often inconsistent and unreliable."

"Receiving my second transfer was a turning point for my family. I spent $100 to expand our house because, as a family of eight, we had been cramped in just one small room. Initially, our home had a roof made of only five iron sheets, but now we have a roof made of seven iron sheets, creating a more comfortable living space for us. After being displaced by floods about five years ago, we have been living on someone else's plot, and recently, the owner offered to sell me the land for $350. With this transfer, I was able to reduce the amount owed by $120, and I plan to clear the remaining balance later. In addition, I rented half an acre of land for $50, where I plan to prepare and plant maize next month. Alongside this, I already have another half-acre of land at home where I plowed for $19, bought black nightshade seeds for $5, and spent $21 on irrigation. For years, my husband and I have been dreaming of our pre-wedding, and now that we have been saving diligently, I was able to set aside $135 from the balance of the transfer to cover some of the preparation costs. I am excited that our plans for the pre-wedding will finally come true next month. Thank you, GiveDirectly!"

"First, I want to express my gratitude to GiveDirectly; without their support, I truly do not know where I would be today. The unconditional nature of the cash transfers provided allowed me to plan according to my own needs, giving me the flexibility to make decisions that best suit my family's situation. The follow-up on these transfers encouraged me to spend wisely, which has led to positive outcomes for my household and the community at large. In my experience, I have not identified any areas for improvement. Continue your operations using the same approach."

"In my journey to provide for my daughter and grandchildren, I currently rely on casual jobs and charcoal production as my main sources of income. However, I recognize the need for diversification to create a more sustainable future for my family. Therefore, I am planning to venture into livestock production, particularly focusing on goats and sheep. I intend to start with two of each, as this will not only help me establish a steady supply of milk but also allow me to sell the animals as they multiply. By making this transition, I hope to reduce my dependence on casual jobs and create a more stable financial situation for my family."

"From my farming experience, I’ve learned that farming can be rewarding, despite occasional setbacks. I have been farming on a small scale, just half an acre, but I am excited about my plan to lease an additional acre of land with my final transfer. I intend to plant seed maize, as many other farmers in my area have had success with this crop. The market for seed maize is already established, and the prices are favorable, so I am optimistic about the potential profits. Furthermore, I appreciate that the Kenya Seed Company provides support throughout the planting process to ensure quality, which gives me confidence in my decision. I am determined to make the most of this opportunity and achieve my goal of meeting my family needs."