"Upon receiving $450 from GiveDirectly, I was filled with happiness and gratitude because this assistance gave me hope of recovering from the devastating effects of the recent floods. I used $300 to buy construction materials to build a new house. This amount covered the cost of iron sheets, poles, frames, and labor. Before this, I was living in a muddy house that was swept away by the floods, leaving me in a temporary makeshift shelter without a proper home. Thanks to GiveDirectly’s support, I now have a house that is spacious enough for my family. After that, I used $60 to pay school fees for my two children in secondary school, one in Form One and the other in Form Three. They attend a local day school, and before the cash transfers, they had missed a few days of school due to unpaid fees. Now, with the help of GiveDirectly, they have been able to attend school consistently. I also used $60 to buy food for my family, which was essential because the floods that affected us destroyed my farm, leaving me with no harvest. This money helped us put food on the table despite the tough circumstances. Additionally, I spent $30 to buy an extra bed since we now have more space in the new house. This has brought greater comfort to my family, and we are thankful for the assistance from GiveDirectly that has significantly improved our living conditions."

"This year and in the coming years, my main goal is to focus on farming and taking care of the livestock I have just purchased. I believe that with farming, I will never lack anything because I will have enough food for my family, and I can sell the surplus to meet other household needs. GiveDirectly has provided me with the capital I needed, something that was a major challenge before. Now, I plan to make this farming venture sustainable and even expand it by planting other crops aside from maize and beans. With the capital I now have, I can invest in various crops to diversify my income and ensure long-term stability for my family."

"My children and I have been sheltering under one roof in a small house made of two rooms. This was quite a frustrating life as the rooms were too small, meaning we had to squeeze ourselves in, leaving no room for privacy at all. As a mother, I often worry that my children feel I have failed them, which pains me the most. Therefore, after receiving my first cash transfer, building a new house for them became my top priority. To this end, I used $430 to buy building materials, including iron sheets, poles, and timber, and to cover labour charges as well. Now, I feel so relieved that the house is complete. At least my children are now sleeping separately from us, and there is ample space for them to sleep at night, which was not possible previously. Additionally, I paid $70 in school fees for my daughter, who is sitting for her final exams this year in secondary school, and for my son in Form 2. It brings me joy to see my children receive a quality education, as I never had the chance to go to school. My primary desire is to see them thrive and graduate with good grades, as this is the only way to eradicate the poverty that has plagued my household for years. With the remaining $50, I also addressed the issue of food in the house, as this has been another ongoing challenge, especially since we are experiencing extreme drought and do not have reliable jobs. This sometimes means we go to bed with empty stomachs."

"It was around 4 a.m. when I was already up, as usual, to face the daily challenges. That's when I saw two notifications on my phone. Since I am illiterate, I asked my son, who was preparing for school, to check where the messages were coming from. I was shocked and, at the same time, overjoyed when he informed me that I had received $550 in my account. It felt like a miracle to me, as I had never received such a large amount of money in my entire life. I knew right away that I would build a house for my children, as we had been squeezed into one small house and felt they needed privacy."

"Water is the biggest challenge that we continually face as a family over the years. We fetch water from Lake Baringo which is about 7 km. Water usage per day is about 100 liters. One can only carry 20 liters of water per trip, it is approximately 40 minutes to and fro. This has made our lives difficult, we ration the water a lot so that it's enough. It also means we cannot plant vegetables due to lack of water."

"My current dream is to expand the number of animals I own. These animals have proven to be a reliable way to cope with extreme weather, allowing us to sell them for school fees and food. We currently have 8 chickens and 8 goats, and I plan to grow this by purchasing more animals through my monthly transfers. I also intend to breed my goats to increase their numbers, which will provide financial support in case I face any challenges. This is a dependable way for me to improve my living standards, especially as the transfers come to an end. I also run a motorbike taxi business to help support my family, along with the assistance from GiveDirectly."

"Looking ahead, my goal is to save more money through the savings group. Currently, I am saving $15 each month, but I plan to increase it to $20. This will allow me to save a larger amount, which I can use to buy more livestock, like hens. Once they multiply, I’ll sell some for profit, and the income will help me take care of my family’s needs. I also plan to use the savings to build a proper cooking place, which will make cooking more convenient and enjoyable. I am deeply appreciative of the support from GiveDirectly, which is helping me work towards these goals."

"As the year comes to an end, I plan to use my future transfers to clear the remaining school fee debts that my children still owe. This will allow them to attend school without any further interruptions. Additionally, due to the harsh weather conditions in my village, farming is no longer a reliable option for growing food. I aim to use the transfers to buy food in bulk for my family, ensuring we have enough to last through these tough times. The support from GiveDirectly has been crucial in helping me take care of my family, and I am very thankful for it."

"In the coming year and beyond, my main goal is to complete the construction of the house. I plan to save my future transfers to fully pay the mason’s labor fees, ensuring the work can continue smoothly until the house is finished. Moving into our new home will be a moment of great pride and joy for me. After the house is completed, my next goal is to invest in livestock. Currently, I have two cows and five goats, and I hope to grow my herd. As the livestock multiply, they will provide a good return on my initial investment, and I’ll be able to sell some for income in the future. I’m incredibly grateful for the financial support from GiveDirectly, which has been instrumental in helping me move closer to my goals and secure a better life for my family."

"Looking ahead, my goal for the coming year and beyond is to invest in more livestock to grow my small herd. Selling charcoal doesn’t provide enough income, but livestock offers a sustainable way to earn money. As they multiply, I’ll sell a portion to help meet my family’s needs. To achieve this, I plan to continue saving money in the savings group from my subsequent transfers. I am very happy and deeply appreciative of the financial support, which is bringing me closer to achieving my goals and improving life for my family."