"We are a family of 8, and don't have a toilet or a place to relieve ourselves. It's embarrassing having to depend on our neighbor's facilities. This means even when we have visitors, we have to ask our neighbors for help to use their toilet. It's also risky sharing with many people, it can lead to diseases. I am always worried of where to go next, this has affected our lives."

"As a mother of two children who prepares and sells food to meet our daily needs, I've always aspired to be in a position where I can always support my kids and ensure that they have access to the basics of life and education. My dream has always been to own a shop in my village where I can sell groceries and other household items. On receiving the Second transfer, I used $200 to finish building a shop that I had started building with the first transfer. I then put aside $300 to add on my savings from my cooking business to purchase stock for the shop. I am certain that I will have enough stock to have my shop up and running by 1st December. With this I am excited to know that my dreams are coming to reality and my children’s future are being secured"

"Housing is the challenge I am currently facing in life. I am living in a two room house with a grass roof that was blown away by strong winds some months ago. I borrowed rusted iron sheets from neighbors so as to cover the roof but the house still leaks heavily during rain season. Mostly when it rains during night hours I spend sleepless night. This has affected my children healthy."

"Lack of reliable source of income is the challenge I am currently facing in life. I am a widow doing casual jobs making a very little income per month which caters mostly for food. I have six children schooling and they have a collective school fees balance of $ 300. This has made them miss class and affect their performance."

"Housing is the challenge I am currently facing in life. I am a widow living with my two sons where one is mental challenged. I am aged and I only rely on family and when it is a dry season then I depend on my son for food and other necessities. The house has a grass roof and it leaks very much during rains season. The rains affects my healthy."

"I used my recent transfer of $550 wisely, I decided to bring positive change to my family's life. I invested in essential items, I bought two beds and two mattresses which have provided the much needed comfort as my four kids had previously slept on the floor. Additionally, I fulfilled a long time dream by purchasing a cow and two goats. I was also able to address the educational needs, covering school fees for three of my children and enabling my eldest to purse a tailoring course with the purchase of a sewing machine. This has significantly improved their performance considering that they were previously turned away from school due to unpaid school fees. I also ensured there is enough food for the family. Previously, I relied on burning charcoal despite being allergic to dust. This life changing transfer enabled me to have a more sustainable and improved livelihood."

"I Utilized the recent transfer of 550$ wisely, enhancing both my home and overall well being. I invested in livestock acquiring two additional goats, doubling my initial count to four. I also invested our motorcycle business by buying two extra tires. This not only strengthens my livelihood but also provide a sense of financial security. Improvement to my living space included adding two doors, replacing previous makeshift curtains. This upgrade not only offers a better sense of privacy but also ensures security of my belongings, Furthermore, I invested in a mattress which has improved the quality of sleep for me, my husband and our eight months old kid. In a thoughtful move, I set a side some funds for emergencies, to solidify my financial resilience."

"I was filled with immense happiness and joy upon receiving my last transfer of $450 from GiveDirectly, as promised. I immediately allocated $120 for food to ensure my two children wouldn't go without. Additionally, I dedicated $33.5 to completing the goat barn fence that I had started from the previous transfer, securing their safety. Another $30 I spent on purchasing clothes for myself and my children, relieving us from the embarrassment of worn-out attire that poverty had enforced upon us. Prioritizing my children's education, I invested $7.5 in buying them new uniforms, ensuring they feel confident in their studies. Sadly, my wife left due to our financial struggles, leaving me with the sole responsibility of ensuring our children's happiness. Despite an unreliable income from working part-time as a casual security guard at Perkera, I made a conscious decision to purchase a power saw for $250. This tool will liberate me from inconsistent casual jobs, providing stability and I will save $4 for future unexpected expenses. I'm immensely grateful to GiveDirectly for this opportunity to improve our lives, especially considering the challenges posed by the high cost of living."

"I have had many desires, but financial constraints, especially from school fees for my five children, have hindered them. My house is on the verge of collapsing from the ongoing rains, but I have not been able to save funds for construction. Additionally, I have always wanted to own livestock like goats to grow wealth that could support the needs of my family. Despite the current tight financial constraints, I hope to set aside some funds to build another house and start rearing livestock."

"In the coming year, my primary goal is to construct a latrine for my family. The current situation, where we share one with our neighbour, has been a source of discomfort and embarrassment for me. The need to ask for access to a latrine and, at times, resort to using the bush has brought forth a set of challenges that deeply affect our sense of dignity. To address this, I am determined to save the proceeds from the sales of honey to fund the construction of the latrine. This will provide a sense of security, privacy, and dignity for my family."