"Our current house is deteriorating rapidly, and I'm worried that it might collapse soon, especially as the roof is almost caving in. My husband has not been able to fund the construction of a new house because he has not gotten many construction jobs lately, so his earnings are unpredictable. Moreover, with three children in primary school and two in college, financing a new house has been challenging, given the expenses for their tuition and food. Fortunately, this planting season provided us with a good maize harvest, which I'm confident will eliminate our food concerns for the next few months. I plan to use this opportunity to support the construction of a new three-room house, made of iron sheets and mud walls. I hope that the cash transfers and the income my husband earns from construction work will be sufficient to complete the house."

"My ultimate goal is to expand my meat-selling business and establish my butcher stall along with a food stand right next to it. To start this venture, I estimate that I will need at least $100 in capital. I'm now more optimistic than ever about accumulating this amount because we recently harvested maize produce that will provide food for my family for the remainder of this year. With the food constraints eliminated, I'm confident that I can save $25 every month over the next four months to reach the required capital for my business expansion."

"The significant and unconditional support from GD has been nothing short of a miracle in my life. Thanks to these transfers, I can proudly say that I am now the owner of a cow, a dream I had never dared to imagine. Additionally, being able to fence my land not only brings me peace of mind but also ensures that my cow will always have enough to eat, even during the harshest droughts. These transfers have touched my life in ways words can hardly express, and I am deeply grateful for the positive changes they have brought."

"What I truly appreciate about GD is the unconditional nature of their transfers. These transfers have been a lifeline for many of us, lifting us out of poverty. I can personally attest that a significant number of people in my area have invested in income-generating projects, and I believe this will gradually elevate our economic status. Thanks to GD's support, I used part of the funds to purchase a cow and two sheep, which I see as a promising investment for a brighter future. Additionally, I no longer need to purchase vegetables since I can now grow them with the water from the water tank I bought."

"My current objective is to set aside a minimum of $20 from my transfers, with the intention of rebuilding a rental property that my late husband had left unfinished. Unfortunately, the structure had collapsed, rendering it unattractive to potential tenants. This rental property had previously been a valuable source of income for my family until its unfortunate deterioration. My primary focus now is on realizing the substantial goal of reconstructing this rental house. To accomplish this, I am diligently saving $20 from my transfers every month. The aim is to amass sufficient savings to facilitate the purchase of the necessary construction materials. My ultimate goal is to restore the rental property to a condition where it can once again appeal to tenants, thereby generating a consistent rental income for my family's benefit."

"Our family's livelihood primarily relies on chicken trading, a business that we run with passion. The satisfaction that comes from knowing our business is thriving and providing for our family of six is immeasurable. However, family needs can at times be overwhelming and, therefore, require support. I am glad GiveDirectly came through for us. When I received the transfers, I spent $40 on purchasing beehives, $30 on household goods, and $70 on maize for my family. I also paid $200 in school fees for my children in grades 9 and 12. For the rest of the transfers, I saved for emergencies. I am now happy that my family is financially stable and food-secure."

"In Kenya, where I call home, farming is not just a way of life; it is the very backbone of our economy. Here, families understand that to live, one must eat. Yet this area experiences adverse droughts often, so there is a need for crop diversification. Therefore, in the coming year, I hope to venture into millet and maize farming. This is because millet is drought-resistant and thrives best here. I will be glad that my family of four will be food secure as well as financially stable. I will use the millet I harvested last year as seeds for this season."

"In the upcoming year and beyond, my plan is to buy more livestock, particularly goats and chickens. This endeavour was somewhat challenging in recent times due to a severe drought that afflicted our region. As a result, a significant portion of my financial resources had to be allocated exclusively to securing food. However, I'm delighted that my household now enjoys an ample food supply following a successful harvest, which has given me the confidence to invest in additional goats. To facilitate my goal of acquiring more livestock, I've joined a merry-go-round savings group, where I contribute $10 every month. My objective is to use these savings to purchase the goats when it's my turn to receive the funds. Currently, I'm the proud owner of two goats and a small flock of chickens. These are the only assets I can proudly claim in my old age, and they serve as a form of financial security for my future needs."

"What I never expected in my life was to raise my children with difficulties including food insecurity and fee problems. This is exactly what is happening because life has become so miserable and it has not spared us. Imagine a child being sent home because of $5! At home, we also skip some meals, a situation that has directly affected our health status. Both our incomes with my husband can not fully cater to our needs because in a month we earn less than $100. Considering the many needs in our household, it becomes tough to balance between meeting all our basic needs. This has pained me as a mother since watching my children desperately has robbed away my joy. Hence, I consider financial instability as my biggest challenge."

"The harsh economic condition has made my life so difficult because the cost of commodities has gone high. This means it becomes tough to balance between food and school fees. Considering my monthly income of $60 as a cook, I can not fully cater to my family's basic needs. Sometimes I am forced to seek a salary advance at the school where I work to pay fees for my children. Taking an advance means postponing the problem because it will reach a point where I will miss payment. Hence, I consider financial constraints as my biggest challenge."