"I aspire to be self-employed as I have been actively searching for a job without success. My goal is to purchase a sewing machine to start a tailoring business. With that I can easily give my family a better and quality life. I will also be able to create an opportunity for other youths that I can easily hire."

"Financial constraints is the biggest challenge due to unstable income. I am a farmer, and due to the inconsistent rain patterns it has not been productive hence a decrease in income. My husband gives me a helping hand by doing casual jobs but it is still not enough to cater to our basic needs."

"The lack of a stable source of income is a big constraint. I rely on farming in order to meet my family's basic needs but due to unpredictable weather patterns. Sometimes I lack enough money to put my children in school and as a resulted I borrow loans to make ends meet."

"Prolonged droughts and lack of rain in the past 3 years have created a huge crisis for us. Currently, we are facing hunger due to a lack of food. This has greatly affected me since sometimes food is not enough for my family. It saddens me that we grow maize and end up harvesting nothing because of the drought."

"Currently, I feel my life has become very hard and difficult because of the high cost of living in our nation. At the moment my husband and I depend on casual work which is rare which also makes it difficult for us to meet our basic needs."

"The main challenge we are facing is the lack of money and the increased cost of living. We have been forced to eat food without salt and drink tea without sugar because of the difficulty of affording such commodities. This makes life very difficult and unpleasant, especially for my grandchild and children."

"My aim has been to leave a Mark in my life through this Givedirectly transfers. I purchased a water tank, a bed, goats and chicken which will serve as a reminder of the change that being a recipient of this cash transfers had on my life. I am planning to buy my child a mattress since she is currently sleeping with me so she can have a place of her own to sleep. I also would like to strengthen the foundation of our house by adding a stone layer as the house is a mud house to ensure it does not crumble and fall for any reason."

"I mentioned earlier I am now part of a savings groups to which I save $20 monthly. I provide motorcycle rides to earn a living, my wife has no current source of income. I felt that it would be a good Idea for me to save up and start a small general retail shop for my wife to ensure that she also is able to make some money monthly which in turn ensures that our family will not experience lack especially in cases where I am unable to make much."

"It warms my heart to say that our family is now living in a state of happiness, all thanks to the invaluable support we received from GiveDirectly. The positive impact on our lives has been nothing short of remarkable. We now have a comfortable and secure home, which has significantly improved our living conditions and overall well-being. Furthermore, the assistance from GiveDirectly has empowered us to diversify our sources of income. Like many families in our village, we have ventured into livestock rearing and farming. These activities have not only provided us with additional income but have also brought our community closer together. We share knowledge and experiences and support each other, creating a stronger and more resilient community. The ripple effect of GiveDirectly's support is evident not only in our family but also in our entire village. We are all witnessing positive changes in our lives, and this has fostered a sense of hope and unity among us. We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead happier, more secure lives, and we look forward to a brighter future filled with endless possibilities."

"I had just returned from Kilifi, where I had visited my husband. I was on a bus heading back home when the message about the transfers arrived on my phone. The journey back had been long, and I was tired, but as soon as I saw that notification, a rush of excitement and happiness coursed through me. I glanced around the crowded bus, realizing I couldn't contain my joy in this public space. So, I patiently waited, my heart racing with anticipation, until I finally alighted from the bus. Once I was on solid ground, I couldn't wait any longer. I immediately reached for my phone and called my husband to share the incredible news. His voice crackled with excitement on the other end of the line, and I could sense the joy in his words. You see, one of the things I had longed for was a mattress and blankets. We had been sleeping on the floor for a while, and the nights had been uncomfortable. But now, thanks to the transfers from GiveDirectly, I could finally afford these basic comforts that would make a significant difference in our lives. It was a moment of pure joy and relief, knowing that our home would soon be more comfortable and conducive to rest and relaxation. The thought of a good night's sleep after so long filled me with warmth and gratitude."