"For much of my life, I have been living in a cramped, one-room house with a grass-thatched roof, always dreaming of a better place. Years passed with little hope of upgrading, as my financial situation made it impossible to afford essential building materials like iron sheets and poles. However, when I received my first transfer, I could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. I spent $400 on materials, purchasing 25 iron sheets, nails, and building poles, and I am now in the process of constructing a two-room iron-roofed house. It's a relief to know that my family will soon have a cosy and secure home, free from the worries of leaking during the rainy season, which would often force us to seek shelter elsewhere. In addition to the house, I invested $45 in a goat, which I’m now keeping at our homestead. Before joining the program, I didn't have any livestock, so this feels like a significant step forward. I hope to build a small herd, which will provide a means to earn money for essential needs, like paying for my children's education. Lastly, I used the remaining funds to purchase food essentials, including a bag of maize that will last us a while, ensuring my family doesn't have to worry about daily meals."

"As I was tending to my maize crops on the farm in the evening, I received a message on my phone. I checked it and discovered it was an Mpesa notification. As I read further, my heart soared with joy upon realizing that it was my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I felt immense gratitude for their support, especially since I had been eagerly awaiting this chance to build an iron-roofed house to replace my current grass-thatched one."

"I have a goal that I hope to achieve soon: building a new two-room house. Currently, I live in a small house that can only accommodate one person, and I feel the need for more space not just for my belongings but also to welcome loved ones when they visit. To turn this goal into reality, I have devised a strategy to buy one piece of iron sheet each month using the transfers I receive. So far, I have managed to acquire nine pieces, and my target is to collect around 20 pieces to complete the construction of the house. I am committed to this plan, and I am confident that by next year, I will be able to build my dream house. This new space will provide better security for my belongings, which currently have to be kept outside."

"I've been raising my three children on my own, managing without a stable income. I used to run a food kiosk, but the pressure of paying their school fees became overwhelming. I ended up pouring every penny I made into their education, which ultimately led to my business failing. As a result, I'm now focused on doing menial jobs to get by, but I'm hopeful about reviving my business in the near future. My top priority right now is ensuring that my children’s education is secure, especially for the one in high school. To that end, I set aside $450 from my first transfer in my bank account dedicated to their educational expenses. This way, I can withdraw money whenever I need to pay for their fees, ensuring that their academic journey remains uninterrupted. Additionally, I spent $35 on a new mattress for them because the old one was worn out. It’s great to see them sleeping comfortably now. With the remaining funds, I purchased food staples like maize flour, which keeps our family well-fed and prevents us from lacking food."

"I was at home in the evening, chatting with my relatives, and had left my phone charging inside. As we got lost in our conversation, they started receiving Mpesa notifications. When they checked their phones, they all confirmed that GiveDirectly had sent the promised funds. Excited to verify for myself, I went to grab my phone, and to my delight, it was true! It was a joyful moment for all of us as we celebrated this wonderful blessing together."

"I was occupied with some casual jobs in the evening when a message popped up on my phone. Checking it, I was taken aback to see an Mpesa notification. I hadn’t been expecting any money, so I read further and realized it was my first transfer from GiveDirectly. A wave of happiness washed over me at the sight of it, as it provided a chance to settle the school fees for my six children, ensuring they remain in school without any worries."

"I have six children currently attending different levels of education—three in high school and the others in primary school. Meeting their school fees has been quite a challenge, and there have been times when I've struggled to clear substantial fee balances on time. This jeopardized my children's academic progress, as they faced the risk of being sent home for unpaid fees. Living in the village, I own a motorcycle that allows me to offer taxi services and occasionally transport charcoal to sell in town. However, my earnings have never been sufficient to fully cover my family's needs while keeping up with tuition costs. I’m truly grateful for the support I received, which significantly lifted this burden. I was able to pay off the full school fees for all six of my children, which totalled $400. With those fees cleared, I can breathe easily knowing my children can continue their studies without any interruptions over money issues. Additionally, I purchased two new mattresses for $80 for both myself and my children, replacing the old, worn-out ones that no longer provided the comfort we needed. Finally, I used the remaining funds to buy food supplies, including a bag of maize and various cereals, ensuring that we had enough to eat and wouldn't have to worry about daily meals."

"My current house is made of mud walls, and the roof is made of grass. It is very cramped since it is only one room. With four children, my eldest son is growing up, and we would like to have some privacy to foster more respect within our house. Therefore, I decided to join a savings and loan group where I save a portion of my monthly transfer. The reason I save is to prepare for applying for a loan, which I can use to purchase building materials. I am happy to share that I managed to take out a loan of $300. I spent the entire amount on sand, cement, and stones to be used for building our new house. I feel proud to have made this progress, and I am optimistic about constructing a modern two-room house, which has been my dream.Once this project is complete, I will not destroy our current house but will pass it on to our eldest son so he can have his own space. In the coming year and beyond, my primary goal is to gather more resources through my monthly income to help build our new house. Additionally, I plan to clear my current loan and then apply for another one to expedite the building process."

"I am truly thankful for the support that GiveDirectly provided, as it has significantly improved my living conditions. After being laid off from my job several years ago, I have been managing to get by on casual jobs. Despite my efforts, there were still essential needs I couldn't meet due to financial constraints, like installing a water tap. My household often struggled with water shortages, and purchasing it was quite costly for me. When I received my first transfer, I prioritized installing a water tap in my yard to ensure easy access to water. I spent $180 on the necessary materials, such as pipes, the water meter, and the labor costs. I am nearly finished with this project, and I’m relieved that I will no longer have to deal with water shortages. In addition to this, I have three children in school, and to ensure they have a smooth academic experience, I paid their fees in advance, which came to $70. I also spent $100 on new clothes for myself and my family, which has really uplifted our living standards compared to before, and for that, I’m incredibly grateful. The remaining amount was used to buy food, including a bag of maize that will last us a while. I feel at ease knowing that even if I’m unable to secure my usual casual jobs, my family won’t go hungry."

"I am truly thankful for the support that GiveDirectly provided, as it has significantly improved my living conditions. After being laid off from my job several years ago, I have been managing to get by on casual jobs. Despite my efforts, there were still essential needs I couldn't meet due to financial constraints, like installing a water tap. My household often struggled with water shortages, and purchasing it was quite costly for me. When I received my first transfer, I prioritized installing a water tap in my yard to ensure easy access to water. I spent $180 on the necessary materials, such as pipes, the water meter, and the labor costs. I am nearly finished with this project, and I’m relieved that I will no longer have to deal with water shortages. In addition to this, I have three children in school, and to ensure they have a smooth academic experience, I paid their fees in advance, which came to $70. I also spent $100 on new clothes for myself and my family, which has really uplifted our living standards compared to before, and for that, I’m incredibly grateful. The remaining amount was used to buy food, including a bag of maize that will last us a while. I feel at ease knowing that even if I’m unable to secure my usual casual jobs, my family won’t go hungry."