"Life on my side has not been easy. Since 2020, I have been suffering from arthritis and stomach ulcers, which have made me feel unwell and unable to do any heavy work. Therefore, fetching water from long distances has been a problem for me. After receiving my last transfer, I invested $175 to purchase a water tank so that I could harvest rainwater or refill my tank and have sufficient water at my homestead. However, after finishing that part of the water, I also used $210 to purchase fencing materials to fence my farm so that it would be safe from being entered and destroyed by other people's livestock. This way, whenever I want to go anywhere, I do not have to worry that my farm will be destroyed. I have planted papaya, mangoes, and vegetables in that farm, although the vegetables were swept away by floods, at least the mangoes and papayas have remained safe. With the remaining $70, I used it to purchase enough food. Previously, I was depending on casual jobs such as burning charcoal, or we would use my husband's pension after he retired from being a police officer. Now, he is just at home, and he is also very old. Our children are all married, but I have two of my grandchildren at home whom I am taking care of. I really appreciate GiveDirectly for their help. At least my life has improved compared to the past when I suffered a lot to achieve some of the things that I wanted. I am hoping my future will be better."

"Before receiving support from GiveDirectly, my family of five depended on casual jobs and my husband's income as a security guard. We had been previously displaced, which left us without a home. With the first transfer, I bought goats and food. The second transfer allowed me to make a down payment on an acre of land for $400, with $600 remaining. Upon receiving the final transfer, I used $400 to reduce this debt to $200 outstanding and built a temporary grass-thatched house, which brought us relief and joy. Previously, we didn’t own any land or a house and faced frequent eviction threats due to unpaid rent. Now, despite owning a plot and having a house, recent rains have displaced us again. My husband had to quit his job, and we are currently living in a nearby school. Additionally, using the remaining $50 from the transfer, I bought a mattress and a bed, though these items had to be left behind in our flooded house."

"My goal for this year is to open a maize store and grow my business. With the success of my current farming activities, where I cultivated 1.5 acres of land for maize, I believe this goal is achievable. The profit I generate from this venture will be used to provide my three kids with quality education. Unfortunately, there are no good schools nearby, but I am determined to give my children a better education than the one I received. The thought of this fills me with happiness, gratitude, and satisfaction."

"In the coming year and beyond, my primary focus is to construct a new home with the assistance of my spouse. Our previous residence succumbed to heavy rains, leaving us to seek refuge in my mother-in-law's home alongside our two children. The adjustment has been challenging, especially considering the privacy we once cherished. With my spouse often away in Mombasa, when he returns he always sleeps at his brother's house. Nonetheless, we're committed to our goal. I diligently set aside a portion of my monthly transfers, around $10, to accumulate funds for building materials, while my spouse contributes what he can from his daily endeavors. Despite the obstacles, I remain hopeful that through the support of organizations like Give Directly, we will realize our dream of a new home."

"I aim to achieve two significant goals with the cash transfers I am receiving. First, I plan to purchase a comfortable mattress to improve my sleep quality and overall well-being. After which, I intend to restart my grocery business. I had started one but had to close because the landlord wanted me out of his premises and later opened his own business, which was eventually passed on to a relative. Determined to revive my grocery business, this time around, I will diversify it and ensure its sustainability and success. I'm grateful for the transfers."

"My plan is to purchase cows, both dairy and ploughing bulls using the GiveDirectly transfers. My goal is to sell the milk and rent out the bulls for ploughing to generate income. Although I initially intended to use the transfers to start a driving course, unforeseen circumstances, such as the loss of my Mother and my wife falling ill, altered my plans. However, I remain hopeful that things will fall back into place, and I can pursue my previous plan of attending a driving school.."

"GiveDirectly has earned praises in our village for its effective approach to providing support. Unlike other aid initiatives known from other organizations, GiveDirectly's support stands out for its unique feature of granting us the opportunity to make informed decisions based on our individual household needs. Initially, some of us were skeptical about receiving aid in the form of cash, but so far, GiveDirectly's approach has proven to be highly effective, allowing us the flexibility to address a wide range of challenges from school fees payment, construction of new houses, foodstuff, and even securing plots. Personally, I cannot see a better way to receive support than the approach taken by GiveDirectly. While I remain open to alternative forms of aid from other organizations, I would highly recommend that they emulate GiveDirectly's model."

"My main goal is to purchase two cows, which will serve as a reliable source of income during financial difficulties and emergencies. Once I complete building my house, I intend to continue to save in savings group where we pool money together regularly. This way, I can save up to buy the cows. I am excited about achieving this because, in the past, I couldn't do it due to the lack of a steady income. Now, with this plan, I feel confident that I can secure a better financial future for myself and my family."

"In the coming months and years, my main goal is to install a solar panel for my home. I've found one that costs about $350, which I plan to purchase using my next quarter's transfer in May. This investment will make a huge difference for my family of seven. With enough light from the solar panel, our home will be safer and more secure, especially at night. Right now, we rely on small lights that don't provide sufficient brightness, which has been challenging due to our limited income from my small business. Once the solar panel is installed, I'll have peace of mind knowing we'll have reliable lighting every night. It will also feel like I'm in Mombasa, which I imagine to be peaceful and well-lit. This project will truly transform our lives for the better."

"My dream is to expand my goat herd and purchase chickens. I believe this will be crucial for my financial security, especially after the GiveDirectly project concludes. By growing my flock, I aim to become self-sufficient, ensuring I can meet emergencies and support my family's needs. I also plan to save and invest in more livestock, aiming to reach at least 20 goats. Eventually, I hope to exchange some of these goats for a cow, which will provide milk for personal use and an additional source of income. I rely on the support I receive from my salary and the assistance from GiveDirectly to make these dreams a reality."