"For a long time, I lived in fear because I had not fully paid for the land I was staying on. Without a steady job, finding the money to pay for it was a big struggle, and I was always worried that I might be forced to leave. When I received my second transfer, I used $200 to make the final payment, and now, I am so happy to finally call this land my own. The fear of being chased away is gone, and I now have a place to call home. With my remaining money, I decided to start a small vegetable-selling business with $30 as my capital. This business will help me earn some income and take care of my needs without relying too much on my children for financial support. I also used $300 to buy enough food to last me through this difficult drought. Farming is no longer an option due to the harsh weather, but knowing that I have food gives me peace of mind. Now, I can focus on growing my business without worrying about what to eat. I am truly grateful for the financial support, which has changed my life. It has given me security, helped me start a business, and ensured I have food. I now feel more independent and hopeful for the future."

"In the coming year, my main priority is to focus on my four children who are still in school. Their education is my responsibility, and I want to ensure they complete their studies without struggles. Each month, I will set aside money from the transfers to pay their school fees, buy learning materials, and support their needs. Once they finish school, I will shift my full attention to livestock farming, specifically sheep rearing. Through experience, I have discovered that sheep have a higher value than goats, making them a better investment for the future. By gradually building my flock, I hope to create a steady source of income that will sustain my family in the long run. This plan gives me hope because once my children are educated and independent, I will focus on expanding my farm and securing a better future for us."

"After receiving transfers from GiveDirectly, I used $200 to purchase land where I aspire to build a home. Currently, I am living with my parents after they moved to another place. I feel happy now because my three children and I will finally have a place of our own. As I am not properly married, having a place to call home has been challenging, and I often feel like a burden to my family. Additionally, I paid $25 for my children's school fees. This has been a struggle for me since I work for someone who often delays payment and pays a small amount. It was a difficult situation, but now that I have received the transfers, I feel relieved knowing that none of my children will be sent home for unpaid school fees."

"For a long time, I struggled without livestock after losing all my cows due to severe drought. I love keeping livestock because they provide security and a source of income, especially when they multiply. So, when I received my last transfer, I used $450 to purchase two cows, knowing they would help me in the future. My plan is to take good care of them so that when they reproduce, I can sell some and use the money to pay school fees for my five children. Before this, life was very difficult because I relied only on casual labor and farming to support my children. The income was unstable, and sometimes I couldn't meet all our basic needs. However, with the cows, I now have hope that things will improve. Farming alone was not enough, especially when drought or floods destroyed my crops. With livestock, I now have a long-term investment that will support my family in times of need. Being a widow, I have had to take full responsibility for my children's well-being since my husband passed away a long time ago. The burden has been heavy, but I am grateful for the opportunity to rebuild my life. I believe that with hard work and determination, I will be able to provide a better future for my children. My dream is to see them complete their education without struggling as much as I did."

"I had no hopes for the coming years. The work i di barely provides enough to get by, just enough to earn day to day. with the high cost of living, it felt like there was no way out. My focus was always just on surviving for that day, making sure my family had what they needed in the moment. I did not think much beyond that, as the future seemed uncertain and out of reach."

"My goal for the coming years is to focus on both livestock and crop farming, as I believe it is the best way to sustain my family. I have already harvested five bags of beans, which has motivated me to continue farming and expand my agricultural activities. Livestock keeping will also be a priority because it provides a steady source of income and food, such as milk and eggs. I plan to reinvest my earnings into purchasing more animals and improving my farm to increase productivity. Agriculture is my hope for the future, and I am determined to work hard despite any challenges that may come my way. With dedication and proper planning, I am confident that farming will help me achieve financial stability and improve my family's well-being."

"Life has been very challenging, especially after the floods destroyed my farm, leaving me without any harvest. I used $300 from my transfer to buy one cow and two goats because I did not own any livestock before. Milk has been very expensive, costing $1 per liter, which is not even enough for drinking and making tea. By having my own cow, I will no longer have to buy milk, and in the future, I can sell some to earn extra income. The goats will also multiply and provide me with financial security in the long run. This investment gives me hope for a better future. I also spent $50 on school fees because I used to depend on my children who are employed, as well as county bursaries to support the payments. However, after the floods destroyed my farm, I lost my main source of income, making it difficult to afford school fees. Furthermore, I used $60 to buy food since we had nothing left to eat after the floods. Farming was my primary source of food, but with everything destroyed, I had to rely on this transfer to feed my family. Buying food gave me peace of mind because hunger had become a daily struggle. Now, my children and I can eat without worrying about where the next meal will come from. I also purchased a small water tank for $33 because when it rains, all the water goes to waste since I had no way to store it. Walking long distances to fetch water has always been exhausting, so having a tank will make my life much easier. Lastly, I bought bedsheets because, although I have a good mattress, I had no proper sheets to cover it. These small but essential things have improved my life in many ways. I have three children still at home, while the others are married, and I am a widow who depends solely on farming. Despite the challenges, I feel grateful for the support that has helped me regain stability."

"I was in my kiosk serving customers when I heard a message come through on my phone, but I ignored it since I was busy at the time. Then one of my customers mentioned she had received her transfer from GiveDirectly, which made me quickly check my phone, and to my delight, I had received mine as well! I was so happy but decided to keep the news to myself and continue working. I couldn’t wait to get home that evening and share the exciting news with my family."

"Givedirectly is doing well by giving out unconditional cash ransfers to the vulnerable in the community which provides immediate felief and empowerment this approach promotes dignity by allowing people in the community to priorities their own needs. Givedirectly should incoperate other support system like financial education which can help recipients manage funds effectively and build long-term stability. Regular feedback from recipients can also help tailor the assistance to specific local challenges."

"My house is a little old, made of mud, and I have always dreamed of having a better house made of bricks. This year, I have made a plan to join a SACCO and start saving a portion of my transfers from GiveDirectly there. My goal is to accumulate enough shares so that I can access a substantial loan. With this loan, I will be able to purchase the building materials I need to construct the house I have always wanted. As a mason, I will be able to use my expertise to cut down on the labor costs, which will significantly help in managing the expenses of building. I truly hope that by the end of this journey, I will have a beautiful, solid house for my family and me. This will bring me so much happiness and peace of mind. I am deeply grateful for the support I have been receiving from GiveDirectly—it has been a great help, and I feel encouraged and motivated to keep moving forward with my plans."