"My husband has been working as a security guard at a nearby primary school for almost three years now. When he got the job, we were relieved as a family of four, knowing that he could help support our basic needs, including school fees for our two children. Unfortunately, things have not gone as expected. Despite his hard work, the school often pays him far less than his full salary of $90. Sometimes they pay him as little as $15 for an entire month’s work. This has made it difficult for us to keep up with our children's school fees, and they are frequently sent home due to unpaid arrears. Financial challenges remain our biggest hurdle."

"One of the main challenges I am currently facing, that are making my life harder is food insecurity. The past harvest we did not get food since there were no rains in our area. The harsh climating conditions are making it so hard for the growth of any crop around. This makes us survive on a leash and making me do odd jobs just to put food on the table for my family. That I would say is my main challenge."

"Life has always been a journey filled with challenges, but our family's path has felt particularly arduous in recent times. We are a family of four, navigating each day with resilience, yet struggling against the tide of financial hardship. My husband works tirelessly as an office messenger in Mombasa. His role, though essential, earns him a modest salary of $250 a month. This amount, while crucial, is barely enough to cover our daily expenses, let alone the additional costs that arise. His unwavering commitment to his job is a testament to his dedication, yet it is not enough to relieve the financial pressures we face. Our first two children, full of potential and dreams, have completed their schooling. Their achievements are a source of pride for us, but their future remains uncertain. They have not yet joined college, a step we had hoped they would take to further their education and build a better future. The financial constraints have held them back, leaving them in limbo and casting a shadow over their aspirations. Our youngest, just in grade six, has become a poignant symbol of our struggles. Recently, he was sent home from school due to unpaid fees. The look of confusion and disappointment in his eyes when he realized he couldn't continue his lessons broke our hearts. Education is a crucial stepping stone for him, and seeing him deprived of it is a heavy burden we bear daily. The weight of these financial challenges is a constant strain on our family. We live in a cycle of hoping for a break, a change in circumstances that would ease our burdens. Yet, each month, we find ourselves grappling with the harsh reality that our means are insufficient"

"The challenge that I am currently facing is the burden of life. I am a single mother of 3 who depends on charcoal burning business as the source of income. The job is very involving and time consuming considering the process of making them. You have to cut loggs, dig a big hole and arrange them inside before yo cover them with soil. Eventually, you put fire and let it burn inside for around two weeks. After all that you can get approximately 4 bags which sell at $ 3 each. In a month you can get $15 which is not sustainable for a family of 4 members. Due to this, it has been difficult to finance the education of my kids. One of them completed primary school learning and did not proceed further because of lack of fees. Besides, effort to have him join a vocational training has not been successful. I am scared that the future of my household may be affected if the situation does not change anytime soon."

"A neighbor hired me to use his motorcycle and send him money on a weekly basis after taking my share, the business has been generating $15.5 per week in revenue, with my share of $7.75.Regardless, the money is inconsistent, and as the sole breadwinner in a difficult economy, meeting the family's basic needs has proven difficult. What is making my life difficult right now is the unpredictable flow of money from the business."

"payments of my children's school fees is the worst headache which gives me sleepless nights every day. I have three children in secondary school. I have fees arrears of twenty thousand shillings. As a small farmer in the village, I depend on rearing domestic chickens for sale. The time to mature is about five months. This long duration has made me incur many debts because I need medicine and food plus my domestic needs before I get the sales. I am stuck I have many debts to settle"

"I am so grateful for the cash transfer because it has helped me in many ways. With the $200 I received, I bought two sheep for $100, which will be a great long-term investment. They can multiply, and I hope to sell some in the future for extra income. I also leased a piece of land for $50 to plant vegetables, as maize hasn't been doing well lately due to disease. Vegetables seem like a better option for now, and I’m hopeful that this harvest will support my family.For food, I used $35 to make sure my children had enough to eat, and I spent $15 on school uniforms for them. It’s been tough managing as a single mother since my husband and I separated six years ago. I have five children, and the responsibility of raising them falls entirely on me. Casual jobs are what I rely on to put food on the table, but they are inconsistent, so having this support has really lifted a burden off my shoulders."

"Thanks so much to GiveDirectly because, if it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have had the capital to start farming. Before receiving the cash transfer, I felt stuck and hopeless after losing everything to the floods, but now my life has completely changed. With the money, I invested in watermelon farming, and I can’t express the joy I feel seeing my crop flourishing. It gave me a new sense of purpose, and I wake up each day with excitement, knowing that I’m building something for my family’s future.The happiness I have now is immeasurable. Watching my watermelons grow strong and healthy on the farm is a daily reminder of how far I’ve come. This transfer has truly been a lifeline, and the difference it has made in my life is huge. I am hopeful that in just a short while, I’ll be able to harvest and sell the crop, which will give me the financial freedom to achieve my next goal—relocating to a safer and better place for my family.Very soon, I will move us to a good and better home, away from the area that floods. This would have been impossible without the help I received. Now, my children and I can look forward to a brighter and more stable future, all because of the support from GiveDirectly. I feel so grateful, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing we are moving forward is truly priceless."

"The most significant change since I started receiving the transfers has been the improvement in my health. I used a portion of the transfers to pay for hospital bills and purchase medicines, which has led to a noticeable improvement in my condition. I am truly grateful for the support, as it has made a big difference in helping me take better care of my health."

"When I received the cash transfer, I knew I had to prioritize my daughter’s education. She is in Form Four, and her future depends on how well she does in her final exams. The $50 I spent on her school fees was essential because she had arrears that needed clearing. After that, I spent $48 on maize and beans to feed my family. The floods had devastated our farm, destroying everything we had planted. With no harvest and no casual jobs available, putting food on the table had become a daily struggle. The maize and beans will sustain us for a while, ensuring that my family doesn’t go to bed hungry as we try to get back on our feet. The rest of the money went towards replacing essential household items and addressing my son's health needs. I bought three plastic chairs, a table, and some plates and cups since the floods had swept away what we owned. Every cent was spent with careful thought, addressing our most pressing needs to help us move forward."