"I'm jobless, I spend most of my time farming on our small piece of land . My husband who is the sole bread winner of our family , is a charcoal burner . I was sitted at home , eagerly anticipating for this money when my husband showed me the Mpesa message from Segovia technology , since my line was in his phone . He was so excited and just laughing on his own. We both shared the same feeling of joy because nobody has ever sent us such large sums of money. My house was dilapidated , I bought blocks worth $100 , cement worth $50 and water plus it's transportation worth $30 (We source water from very far ). I then paid $100 for labour for the renovation of my house and as we speak , my house is super beautiful and strong . I'm so grateful because if it were not for Give Directly , my house wouldn't be this strong . I really wanted to have something that would last long , so I spent $140 on four goats . Goats are important because I can later sell them and pay school fees for my children. I also used $30 to pay school fees for my 3 children who are in primary school . Since we did not have food in the house , I bought one bag of maize worth $50 and spend the balance on water ."

"Previously , I used to plait people's hair from my house , thanks to Give Directly , I opened a salon shop . My goal is to expand my salon business into something bigger . I want to buy all hair dressing equipment and relocate to a better place where there is high demand . My salon will be fully stocked with all types of high quality hair . I'll need about $1000 to accomplish this . I know God will open a way because the profits I get from my current salon business will not be able to achieve this . I'm sure this business will help me to pay school fees for my siblings with ease . I just want to be financially independent in life ."

"Having received the funds from GiveDirectly, I prioritised building a 1 bedroom house for my kids. I then proceeded to get three goats, all of whom are female to mate with my already existing male one. I got 5 storage tanks, basins and clothes for the family as well. The remainder of the GiveDirectly funds went to paying school fees for 3 of my 6 kids. I had been burdened with debts and a need to fix my bike, so part of the balance went to bike brakes and tyres, while I also quickly sought to clear my debts and get me back in the block with those I owed. My eldest being in form 3 at Mitangani Secondary School, my second born having cleared class 8, my 3rd born in Grade 2 at Goshi Primary and my 4th through to 6th being too young for school, it was a struggle raising the $10, for example, to pay for the eldest fee when I only make $24 when I sell a sack of charcoal, that I make from burning wood. My clients are far and in between and getting that money isn't guaranteed. GiveDirectly have been a source of great comfort for me and my household, knowing we have someone to walk with us. We are truly grateful."

"My wish would be to see all my kids have a good education and a better life for themselves, as a result. I would also love to keep poultry and sell locally. This would go a long way towards ensuring we have financial stability as a household. It would also allow us to be able to assist our older kids financially, just as they assist us when they can."

"I would love to be able to start my own business. This would allow me to be able to pay school fees for my other kids who have just completed primary as well as cater for those who will be joining soon enough. I would also like to start selling water to people in the neighbourhood as a form of business and this would also ensure continued cashflow."

"The transfers from GiveDirectly allowed me to build a 2 bedroom house, to replace my previously thatched house. I also included a verandah, which added to the appeal of the new home. We are three kids, all living together and of whom, two work ,while the third is in school. I am employed at a kibanda where I charge phones for $ 0.2 per phone and get $1 a day for lunch. Between the money I make and the little my brother makes at Ndarako, we were hard pressed as to how exactly we would manage to pay the $200 tuition fee for our youngest brother who is in Midoina Secondary School. That being said, the funds from GiveDirectly were used to pay his fee as well. Both my parents are still alive and till their 1 acre farm to grow maize and beans, for personal consumption as well as for sale if and when there is surplus. With no wife or kids, my immediate family were the only external beneficiaries of the transfers , which I also used to buy our food. GiveDirectly has been a blessing to me and my family in ways we will never be able to explain. Thank you."

"Food insecurity is a major challenge that we are facing at the moment. We are peasant subsistence farmers but maize farming has not been doing well. we were hopeful of a good harvest but there was a prolonged dry season that affected our maize crops, they are in a poor state and we are not expecting a good harvest this season. The burden of purchasing the commodity from the market has and remains to be an uphill task. A 2kg of maize retails at $1.80 up from $0.70 which is hard to afford. We are people of little means who depend on casual jobs to fend for our families. The sad reality is that the cost of living has gone up and so the meager income we get is hardly enough to cater for our needs."

"My health has failed me for some time now. I suffer from high blood pressure and I am under medication. I normally go to be attended at Tenwek Hospital. The cost of treatment is expensive and sometimes I am unable to raise the required amount and which means I am forced to skip the medicine which subsequently affects me since without the drugs I feel sick and indisposed. High blood pressure puts one to be under drugs throughout and so to sustain the cost without a cover is a tall order."