"I used to live in town with my family and work part-time on construction sites to support my wife Neema and son. During the rainy season, the types of jobs that I used to do are typically unavailable. During the El Niño rains that hit the country late last year, it became more difficult to find work. This made it impossible for me to even make ends meet, let alone buy food, so I was forced to move back home with my family. Coming home meant beginning over, with no money saved up to even purchase necessities like food and clothing, and a house that is on the verge of collapsing due to the rain weakening it. It depresses me that I can not seem to build my family a decent house and give them a good place to live because of my lack of employment that has resulted to no income."

"Charo, my husband, is a casual worker in a tent-making factory. Being the sole provider makes it difficult for him to meet all of the household's needs. He finds it difficult and stressful to provide for a family of six, two of whom are in school. My family's most difficult challenge has been a lack of adequate finances as a result of low income."

"I have a wife and one child, and I run a motorbike taxi business. However, the income from this isn't sufficient to cover both our daily needs and the $4 daily loan payment for the motorbike. To improve our financial situation, I thought of starting a vegetable business for my wife, creating an additional source of income to supplement what I make from my daily rides. Looking ahead, I plan to focus on expanding this vegetable business. My wife manages it while I continue with the taxi service. This setup should help alleviate some of our financial pressures, as the extra income from the vegetables will assist in covering the daily loan payments for the motorbike."

"With my immediate need for a mattress and bedding now resolved, I'm channeling my full attention towards my passion for livestock farming. It's not just about buying chickens and goats with my transfers but about nurturing a dream, one that promises growth and sustainability for my family's future. Every purchase of a chicken or goat is a step towards building a thriving farm, where each animal holds the potential to multiply and expand our resources. It's a journey filled with anticipation and determination, knowing that with each addition to our livestock, we're laying the foundation for a more secure tomorrow. As I continue to invest in my livestock, I'm fueled by the belief that with dedication and perseverance, I can create a sustainable source of livelihood that will support us through any challenges that may arise. It's a journey worth embarking on, one that resonates with resilience, hope, and the unwavering determination to build a better future."

"After successfully establishing myself as a livestock farmer, I've been wholeheartedly dedicated to nurturing my animals, watching them thrive, and eagerly anticipating the day when I can reap the rewards of their growth. This venture, made possible with the invaluable support from Givedirectly, is a realization of my long-held dream, and I'm deeply grateful for the opportunity it has afforded me. With my livestock flourishing, I've turned my attention to another important aspect of my life, family. I've taken it upon myself to fulfill a duty that my son, currently without a job, couldn't undertake. In our community, honoring traditions is paramount, especially when it comes to marriage. It's essential to formally meet and respectfully engage with the bride's family, often involving a financial gesture as a sign of respect. Thus, I've diligently been setting aside funds from my earnings to embark on this significant journey of meeting my prospective daughter-in-law's family. While the process requires financial commitment, it's not merely about adhering to customs; it's about fostering mutual respect and understanding between our families. By demonstrating our sincerity and commitment, we pave the way for a harmonious and joyful union, ensuring that both families embrace each other wholeheartedly."

"I'm grateful to have received a motorcycle though on loan . I relocated to the city where business prospects are better, aiming to earn enough to pay off the loan. Additionally, I set up a vegetable business for my wife to help support our family. Going forward, my main goal is to expand the vegetable business. Once it becomes stable, it will generate extra income, allowing us to focus on fully paying off the motorcycle loan."

"It was getting late in the evening, and I was busy searching for my missing bull, which had not returned home the day before. As I navigated through the rocky hills, my phone suddenly buzzed with a notification. Retrieving it from my pocket, I checked the message to see what it was about. To my surprise, it was a Mpesa message. Opening it, I confirmed the amount and its origin. I could not contain my happiness, as it was exactly what I needed at that moment. I had been worrying about my three acres of maize suffering from a lack of water, as the rains had not arrived yet. I lacked the money to buy petrol for my generator, which needed to pump water from a distant river for irrigation, I felt helpless. But with the money from the Mpesa transfer, my outlook changed instantly. I abandoned my search for the bull and hurried to town to purchase the petrol. By 6:00 PM, I was back and ready to begin irrigating my land. I am incredibly grateful for this timely assistance. It saved my only source of income, which I had already feared losing."

"Receiving $450 from GiveDirectly was a moment of relief and gratitude for me. It was a day like any other, I was at home, taking a break from my studies since I didn't have classes that day. This was the first time I personally received money from GiveDirectly. I had been entrusted with the responsibility of receiving it after my mother's painful passing. The money came at the perfect moment. I didn't have any money for rent or food in the house,it brought a smile to my face. I immediately used $50 to pay the rent, ensuring a roof over our heads, and bought enough food to make our stay comfortable. But the bulk of the money, $400, was allocated to my younger brother's education. He's only five years old, and after our mother passed away, he had to move to Eldoret to live with our auntie. This meant a change of schools for him. The money covered his school fees, uniform, and all the necessary learning materials. Now, he's settled into his new school in Eldoret, and I am immensely grateful to GiveDirectly for their timely support. It made a world of difference for me and my only sibling."

"Until last year, I worked as a waitress at a hotel but had to take a break to focus on farming because the rains had started. This meant that my three children and I solely depended on my husband for daily provisions, and honestly, it weighed heavily on him. Worse still, he also lost his job at a solar plant a few months later. Life took a dramatic turn, and I feared we wouldn't be able to support our children's education. At that point, I owned five goats, and my goal was to own as many livestock as possible. Without a stable source of income, at least rearing livestock would help me accumulate wealth as they reproduced, and I could sell them to raise school fees for my children in the future. So when I received the funds, I used $145 to buy three more goats to grow the herd. Additionally, my old mattress had become tattered from long use, and it was uncomfortable to sleep on. I spent $62 to buy a new one and I now enjoy my sleep. My husband and I had planned to lease at least two acres of land along River Galana for maize farming, but the area had flooded due to heavy rains upcountry. Farming along this area would ensure increased harvests and more food security for our family compared to farming in our village, where poor soil and climate hampered our produce. So, we decided to set aside $330 for leasing the land and paying for farming activities when the water dries up."

"In a few months, I'm looking forward to finally completing the construction of my house. It's been a long journey, but soon I'll have a place to call my own. No more sleeping at my daughter-in-law's house, which has been a bit uncomfortable at times. Having my own space will bring back a sense of dignity and independence that I've missed. Another thing on my list is to invest in good bedding, something more comfortable than the traditional rope bed I've been using. It's been causing me pain lately, and I know a modern bed with a nice mattress will make a world of difference. These may seem like simple goals, but they mean the world to me. I'm determined to see them through and make life a little easier for myself."