"It was a beautiful morning when I received $200 from GiveDirectly. I felt an overwhelming sense of happiness because I knew this money would help lighten the burdens I currently faced. I immediately shared the good news with my husband, and we both felt a wave of relief. The first thought that came to my mind was to use the money to pay the school fees for my children, who had been sent home due to unpaid fees. Knowing that I could help them return to school filled me with hope and gratitude. This support from GiveDirectly has truly made a difference in our lives."

"Upon receiving the $180 from GiveDirectly, I decided to invest in my family’s future. I used $140 to buy two goats, which will provide us with milk and serve as a source of income. Having goats will also be helpful in times of emergencies, as they can be sold if needed. Additionally, I bought food because we were struggling with hunger, and it was important for my family to have enough to eat. Now, we feel more secure knowing that we have both food and a way to generate income for our needs."

"It was in the morning when a message popped up on my phone. When I read it, I saw that GiveDirectly had sent me $200. This transformed my entire day! I was so happy and grateful for this support. My first thought was to go food shopping, as I wanted to make sure my family had enough to eat. The news brought me joy, and I felt a renewed sense of hope for the future."

"What stood out for me about GiveDirectly is the politeness and kindness of their officers. They treat everyone with respect and are always willing to help. Their friendly approach makes it easy to communicate and feel comfortable when discussing our needs. I appreciate how they listen attentively and provide clear information. At this time, I do not have a specific recommendation for them, as I believe they are doing a great job in supporting our community."

"After receiving $450 from GiveDirectly, my husband and I quickly made plans on how to use the money. I allocated $200 to buy a generator, which will be crucial for irrigating our farm whenever we need it. Previously, I had to borrow money for this purpose, and now that I have the funds, I want to avoid inconveniencing anyone. It feels great to invest in something that truly belongs to me. I also used $100 to pay school fees for two of my children. The school had informed me that they would send them back home due to a lack of funds, but thanks to GiveDirectly's timely transfer, my children have been able to stay in school without interruption. My family was also struggling to afford food, so I spent $45 to buy enough supplies to keep us healthy and energized. Finally, I used $33 to purchase household items that I didn’t have before, including chairs and cushions. These additions have made our home more comfortable, and I am grateful for the support that has allowed us to improve our quality of life."

"When I received $450 from GiveDirectly, I knew this was my chance to get things I hadn’t been able to afford before. At that time, I had a maize farm that had been partly affected by floods, but fortunately, I managed to save a portion of the crop. With harvest time approaching, I used $150 to cover harvesting and transportation costs, ensuring that my family now had enough food to eat. Next, I spent $140 to buy two sheep, as I had none before. I am committed to helping them grow and multiply so that they can generate income for us in the future, even after the GiveDirectly program ends. With that done, I turned my attention to a loan that had been causing me stress for the past three years. I used $65 to pay off the interest, which has relieved me of a significant mental burden, leaving me feeling stress-free. Additionally, I spent $30 on remedial classes for my child because I believe education is essential, and I want to invest in my children’s future. Lastly, I used $40 to buy essential household items like utensils, curtains, plastic chairs, and a table. These items have improved the look of my home and given me a sense of pride in owning things I didn’t have before."

"Recently, I received $450 from GiveDirectly, and I am incredibly grateful for this support. I received the transfer in the morning and immediately decided to invest in livestock, spending $370 to buy a cow and two sheep. In my culture, livestock ownership is a source of pride and respect—without animals, one is seen as a “nobody.” We are traditionally nomadic, but drought had caused me to lose all my livestock. Thanks to GiveDirectly, I now own livestock again, and I plan to care for them well. Not only do they restore my pride, but they will also provide my family with milk and a future source of income. I used $50 of the money to buy food, which gives me the energy I need for my daily activities. The remaining amount allowed me to visit my family, something I am deeply thankful for. After being separated from my wife for 11 years, I am now reunited with my children, and I currently live with three of them. This experience has been profoundly moving, and I am grateful to GiveDirectly for making it possible."

"When I received $450 from GiveDirectly, I instantly felt a wave of change and relief. At that time, I was living in a mud house that had leaked during the recent floods that had affected my village. This brought a lot of discomfort to my family, so I used $350 to buy building materials and renovate our home. With this amount, I purchased iron sheets, building poles, and nails, and paid for labor. I have now completed the renovation, and it has brought a sense of comfort and security to my family. Additionally, I used $70 to buy two goats, which will provide us with milk and gradually multiply. This new source of food is valuable for us. I spent the remaining amount on food, which has made a big difference in our lives; we no longer have to skip meals, and we enjoy consistent, nourishing food. I am deeply grateful for these valuable blessings. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for making this possible!"

"In this area around lake Baringo, fishing is an economic activity that earns more families income. My family is not exceptional. As a family of three , we depend on fish trading to earn a living. However, this business comes with its share of challenges. Two weeks ago, my customer in Kitale ordered fish worth KES 17000 which I delivered. Unfortunately, when it arrived there, she said that all the fish had gone bad and she had disposed of them. Although I had invested that much in the fish, I was not paid anything and therefore I ran into a loss. It is a loss that I have not recovered yet and it is stressing me because I do not know of the future business."

"Job security is the biggest challenge I am currently facing.I am a hands man in the construction sector since the year 2020. Securing a stable job in this era with my form four certificate of grade D+ has been unsuccessful ,I decided to join the construction sector doing handy works even though I am not satisfied with it .This work is energy draining, inconsistent in availability and has so much exploitation from the contractors due to high availability of labour force.In a week for instance,I can work for three days earning at most KES 500 a day.This money is limited when compared to my weekly expenditure of KES 1600.I end up having no savings hence foreseeing a challenging future for myself ,moreso having to delay in starting a family."