"Lack of finance is the main challenge Iam facing because I depend on casual labor to provide for my family’s basic needs. This uncertainty means that sometimes we go to bed hungry when I can't find work."

"The main challenges my family and I face are the high cost of living, school fees for my children, and illness. Additionally, I'm struggling with instability because the only job I rely on is construction work, which is currently affected by financial difficulties."

"I was at home with my neighbor, who visited me that day. Because I was at home, I did not go to school as it was our half-term break. We closed the school early. I am a teacher but not yet employed. While we were chatting and sharing stories, a message from M-Pesa suddenly popped up. A wave of joy overwhelmed me—it was a surprise since we were expecting money in July, but it arrived toward the end of June. I immediately thought of investing the money in raising chicks, as the ones I had before were lost to the floods. I had initially planned to use the money to build a better house, topping up with the funds I expected from farming in July. Since the money arrived early, I decided to invest in rearing chickens first and wait for the second transfer to work on the house."

"In the coming months and years, my primary focus will be on supporting my two children through school. I believe that once they graduate, their success will greatly improve our living conditions and transform our lives. Raising their school fees has been a significant challenge, but with assistance from this organization, I now feel a sense of relief that I didn’t have before. I’m currently saving from my charcoal business and the transfers to ensure I can help make their dreams a reality. Their success in school is crucial for overcoming the poverty we’ve faced since their father's passing. I’m now hopeful and excited that this dream of a better future is within reach, thanks to this substantial support."

"When I received the unconditional cash transfer, I used $400 to build a house. My old house was too small, especially since my children are growing older and need a space of their own. I had already started building a new structure, but I hadn't been able to complete the roofing. Unfortunately, when it rained, the unfinished structure collapsed. The cash transfer allowed me to buy iron sheets for a better roof and repair the walls, finally giving us a secure place to live. In addition to the house, I used $50 of the money to pay for my children's school fees in primary school. Whenever schools closed, my children had to sleep at the neighbors' because our house was overcrowded. Now, with the new house and the school fees paid, we have a stable environment and I can focus more on their education. The remainder of the money was spent on household food items. This helped ensure that we had enough to eat as I continue to support my family through my tailoring and poultry farming business."

"In the few months to come, I set my sights on a great goal: building a new house. It's something I have been dreaming about for a long time now. I'm tired of feeling embarrassed and having people look down on me because I don't have a home of my own. I have been seeking shelter in my relatives compounds, and I feel it's time for me to have my own house. Through the transfers, I'm slowly but steadily buying the materials I need each month, and I can already see the pieces coming together. I believe that in just a few more months, I'll be able to stand tall and proud in front of my very own house, with joy and pride that I had been lacking for years."

"The biggest difference since I started receiving cash from GiveDirectly is that I now live a stress-free life. Through GiveDirectly cash, I addressed two of the most stressful issues in my family life: education and food. I paid the fee balance, and my child is now learning without interruptions. I no longer have to do odd jobs or take credit from the shop for my family to eat. With the GiveDirectly cash transfer, I bought enough food for my family of five kids. For this, I am so happy and thankful for GiveDirectly's support."

"In the coming year, my greatest hope is to ensure that my granddaughter, who is an orphan and solely depends on me, gets the education she deserves. She is currently in grade 7, and I want to make sure she has all the resources she needs to succeed. I plan to save diligently from my chacoal burning job, prioritizing her school fees, books, and uniforms. By staying focused and committed, I aim to keep her in school without any interruptions. Beyond this year, I hope to see her progress to high school and eventually to college. My dream is to give her the opportunity to build a bright future, filled with possibilities and free from the struggles we've faced."

"As a single parent, my current dream is to see my two children excel in their education and thrive in life, as I have nothing to pass on as an inheritance. Right now, I am using GiveDirectly transfers to manage previous-term fee arrears, which has significantly eased my financial burden. With the limited income from my charcoal business, I’m prioritizing my children's education to ensure it continues uninterrupted. I would be immensely proud to see them graduate and advance to higher levels of education, as their success represents my hope for the future. They are my greatest joy and source of hope, and I believe this dream is achievable."

"During the heavy rains 2 months ago, I slid and dislocated both of my legs. I have since recovered but not strong enough to engage in the casual work I used to depend on for survival. Being a single mother and living alone, I also have no land of my own so I find myself surviving at the mercies of my neighbors."