"Ever since my husband and I built our house, we have not been able to put up a decent roof because of a lack of money. Alternatively, we sealed it with polythene paper as we worked on raising funds to install the iron sheets. Thanks to Give Directly, the cash transfers will allow me to contribute to the renovation exercise as I have been saving for the same over the last few months. I hope this project comes to fruition by the end of the year. After that, I wish to buy goats for rearing. In the Giriama community, owning livestock is like personal banking, as one can easily sell these animals in the future to fulfill a financial emergency. "

"By the end of the year, I wish to have started a sardine-selling business in my village. Given the drought in my region, it has been challenging to grow local vegetables, which has made sardines one of the majorly consumed accompaniments to ‘ugali’. Due to the high demand, I am confident this business will progress well, equipping me with profits that will help cover some household expenses. "

"I highly believe that the rainy season is fast approaching. It would break my heart if my husband and I would not complete our new house construction project by then. I fear that our current one-room shelter may not survive the rains, which could leave my family at the mercy of cold nights and a dampened space. As I have been saving for this project since last year, I plan to continue doing the same until I accumulate enough funds. Building a two-room house made with mud walls and a tin roof will be the relief I so much yearn for currently.  "

"The roof of my house was blown away by strong winds. Which left a large opening that lets in water whenever it rains. I tried to seal it hole with an iron sheet but it did not do justice, my family still sufferers from cold nights. Repairing the roof would bring so much relief and save us suffering. The greatest problem is, I have never been able to complete this task because I have been prioritizing more pressing needs like food over other things. Though the financial constraints are still tight, I plan to start balancing my cash to provide both food and decent shelter for my family. "

"I want to groom my compound with a nice spacious house and more livestock, so as to make it feel more like home. Seeing my family of five members share a one-room structure bothers me so much that I wish to build them a new shelter. Also, the bigger the house, the brighter the compound! Thanks to the cash transfers, I have started collecting building materials like iron sheets. Once I have assembled enough, I plan to start the construction process. After that, I plan to increase my herd of six goats and cows to ten cows and thirty goats. Owning this livestock would equip me with enough wealth that can help me generate money. "

"I spent most of my third transfer on buying house building materials to expand my house"

"I hope to complete my house project before next year."

"My family of 6 depends on my teaching job to earn a living. However, the pay is insufficient as all goes towards household food and payment of bills and there is almost nothing to save. I am glad that Givedirectly has assisted a long way in settling some bills for instance, I have been able to pay $270 school fees for my son in grade 9 through the last transfers. I further saved the rest of the transfers in my bank account so that when schools close, I initiate the projects I left pending since I can not leave them to any other person to manage them the way I want. I am grateful that the transfers have reduced my financial burden as I now feel relaxed."

"Since I am certain of my monthly transfers, I have several goals that I am working towards accomplishing. The primary one is to build a house. That may take me a month. I am therefore hopeful to initiate the building project in April, 2023. Later, I shall focus on buying livestock, particularly goats. I aim to raise them because they mature faster and can be of great benefit to me in the long run. I am indebted to GiveDirectly for the financial support"

"I have been living in a hard situation. I have no bed and a mattress, but I have been sleeping on sisal sacks spread on a traditional sisal bed. So as I continue to receive my transfer, I have a goal of buying a new bed and a mattress to help improve my living condition. The ones I have been using have been subjecting me to pain every morning I wake up. I have always been bearing pain in my back and ribs as a result of the nature of my bedding."