"Since my separation from my spouse about 5 years ago, my life has never been the same. Currently, I fend for my 3 children whom I live with. This is challenging for me because I don't have a permanent job and I only depend on casual work which is not enough fore to cater for all my household needs."

"Our family income is unstable. I am running a small crockery business that brings in only $2 a day, and my spouse earns $115 a month from casual work. With the high cost of living, our combined earnings fall short of meeting our family's needs. This situation makes it challenging for me to provide a better life for my three children. It is disheartening that we often have to borrow or depend on getting food on credit from the nearby kiosk. There are times when we skip lunch altogether or only have tea."

"I am currently living in a small one-room house with a severely leaking roof due to termite damage to the *makuti* roofing, which has created gaps. The space is also too small for my needs, so I am planning to build a more spacious house with a verandah, even if it’s just a single room since I live alone. To achieve this, I intend to save part of my transfer to fund the construction. Having this new house will provide me with a comfortable living space, free from the constant worry of leaks during rain, and allow me to work towards a better future. For now, there is no food, so I am using part of my transfer to buy food while hoping God will bless us with rains this season. Once I have enough food, I will redirect the funds toward building my house. My current roof leaks badly, and when it rains, I get soaked. I also plan to support my building project with the income I earn daily."

"Life has been a struggle since our farms near Lake Baringo were swept away, leaving my family without food or a reliable source of income. My wife and I rely on casual jobs, earning only about $4 a day, which is not enough to support our family of six. After two days without food, we decided to go to Marigat Town to purchase supplies. We spent $90 on food, knowing that without it, we would face even more challenges. The situation was dire, with no trees left to burn for charcoal since many others in the community have resorted to the same means to make a living. With the remaining $90, we knew we had to improve our living conditions. Our old mattress was too small for our growing children, and it caused overcrowding at night. Therefore, we decided to purchase a new bed and a mattress, which would provide our children with the space they need to sleep comfortably. This change has brought us a sense of relief, knowing that our children can rest better at night. It may seem like a small step, but it means a lot to us. Furthermore, I feel a renewed sense of hope for our family's future. While life has been challenging since the floods and droughts, this cash transfer has given us the chance to secure basic necessities. It reminds me that, despite the hardships, there are ways to rebuild and provide for my family. We may not have everything we want, but we now have a comfortable place to sleep and enough food to eat, which is a significant improvement from our previous situation."

"When the money came, my house was in poor condition, and I felt like we were living below the standards of others around us. Our home was made of grass for the roof and mud for the walls, which wasn’t safe or comfortable, especially during the rainy season. With the unconditional cash I received, I decided to spend $300 on building materials to start constructing a one-room house with iron sheets. My hope is to complete the construction once I receive the final transfer, and finally have a safer, more durable home for my family. Furthermore, with the remaining $150, I bought food to sustain us because life had become extremely difficult. My wife and I rely on casual jobs that pay us about $3 a day, which is barely enough to buy food for our household. We have two children to take care of, and the struggle to provide even basic necessities has been overwhelming. The cash transfer helped ease that burden, allowing us to stock up on food and worry less about what we’ll eat. Now, I feel a great sense of relief and hope for the future. The thought of living in a decent house like other people in my community gives me peace, and the food I purchased has brought some stability to my family’s daily life. The support from GiveDirectly has made a huge difference, and I look forward to completing the house and improving our living conditions even more."

"GiveDirectly did an excellent job with their emergency response. Through their unconditional cash transfers, I was able to recover from the effects of the floods. I am truly grateful for the support, as it helped me rebuild my life. My recommendation is for GiveDirectly to consider providing more cash beyond the third transfer. This would allow us to fully recover and continue building a stable future after the challenges we faced."

"What stood out to me the most about GiveDirectly was their quick and effective emergency response when the floods devastated our community. Through their unconditional cash transfers, I was able to recover from the flood’s harsh impact and get back on my feet. The support I received helped me rebuild my business, restore my home, and even invest in livestock for long-term sustainability. Now, I am on the path to completely overcoming the effects of the floods, as I plan to buy a plot in a safer area to relocate my family. I truly appreciate how GiveDirectly stepped in during a time of crisis, providing immediate and meaningful assistance. With that in mind, I would like to recommend that GiveDirectly consider building houses for flood victims in the future. This would offer even greater security and help many families, like mine, recover faster and protect themselves from future disasters."

"When I received the cash transfer, the first thing I did was buy 30 bags of cement for $250 and a damp-proof membrane for $55. I also purchased building rods for $52 and a roll of wire for $32. My goal is to build a permanent brick house because the iron-sheet house I currently live in has been ruined by termites and floods. It’s no longer safe, so I’m determined to improve my living conditions step by step. To make sure the construction doesn’t stall, I took a loan to buy hardcore. Now, I’m waiting for the next transfer to continue with the structure. Meanwhile, I also invested $50 in my business, where I sell potatoes and cabbages. I’m hoping the profits will grow so I can pay the mason when the time comes to start building. I see the business as a key part of the plan—if it flourishes, it will help me complete the house faster. With the rest of the money, I bought food for the household. I wanted to make sure we have enough to eat while we focus on our work and daily struggles. Knowing that there’s food at home gives me peace of mind as I juggle the house project and running the business. This transfer has given me hope, and with careful planning, I believe I’ll finally achieve my dream of a stable home."

"My future goal is to continue investing in livestock, particularly goats. I have already joined a saving group, where I regularly contribute. Once it's my turn to receive the funds, I plan to use the money to purchase more goats. I currently have five goats, which I bought with money from the transfers, and as the herd grows, I will have the opportunity to sell some to meet my family's needs. I am grateful for the financial assistance, which has helped me improve my life and the well-being of my family."

"Looking forward, my main objective in the coming year is to purchase these two bulls to help with plowing my farm. I also plan to generate additional income by offering plowing services to other people in the community. By continuing to save through the group, I am confident that when it is my turn to receive the lump sum, I will be able to make the purchase. The financial support has been instrumental in helping me pursue this goal and move toward financial stability. I am truly grateful for it."