"Recently, after receiving $180 from GiveDirectly, my husband and I had many pressing issues to address, so we sat down together to plan. One of our main concerns was our daughter, who is in form four. I didn't want her studies interrupted, especially since it was her final term, so I took $50 from the transfer to clear her school fees balance. This ensured that she could stay in school and focus on her studies, which is crucial as she prepares for the upcoming national exam. I am hopeful that she will perform well. With the school fees settled, we focused on our housing situation. We live in a small, old house that doesn’t meet our needs, and it's also at risk of flooding if the rains come again. I used $120 from the transfer to buy construction materials, including iron sheets and frames, with the hope of completing the construction with future transfers. This will give my family a safer and more spacious home, away from the threat of floods. I used the remaining money to buy kale seeds for my home garden. The kales have since matured, helping to meet my family’s food needs, and I can also sell some to cover other household expenses. This support from GiveDirectly has made a real difference in addressing our most urgent needs"

"I married my wonderful husband who was working as a teacher. For many years, life was smooth as his salary comfortably supported our family of seven. However, since his retirement last year, we have faced significant challenges, particularly with paying school fees for our five children, who are in college and secondary school. Our firstborn, pursuing a diploma in hospitality, had to drop out this year due to unpaid fees. The other children are still in school, but their academic performance has been affected by the financial strain because they are in and out of school. As a housewife, I have found it difficult to support him because I am a house wife and unemployment has become one of the greatest challenges I am facing."

"Ever since I got married, my brother-in-law used to host us, as my husband could no longer work due to his advanced age. Therefore, I had to take care of six children, my co-wife, who is also elderly, and my husband. However, there have been ongoing issues and unending conflicts between us and my brother-in-law. Upon receiving the cash, my co-wife and I each contributed $250 to buy one acre of land, where we will soon move and have our compound to avoid conflicts and ensure peace of mind for my growing family. I also have six children attending nearby schools. However, their education has been a constant struggle, as I have been the breadwinner, relying on any job that comes my way. This has weighed heavily on me, and I have not had anywhere to seek help. After receiving the cash, I paid $220 in school fees so they could have a better experience at school. For the first time since they joined the school, they will not be sent home regularly due to arrears for the better part of this year. As a parent, I feel great since this generosity has inspired my children so much, and I can see it reflected on their faces every morning. Finally, with the remaining $80, I used to buy food, as food insecurity has been a major issue in our household. We now take two meals a day, unlike before, when that was not possible."

"I have been living with my family, which includes my elderly spouse, my co-wife, and our six children, at my brother-in-law's compound. My desire has always been to buy my land and build a home for my family since the daily conflicts with my brother made us feel like a burden to him. However, due to the financial hardships I face as the sole breadwinner, relying on any job that comes my way, I lacked the resources to buy my land. When I received my transfer, I prioritized this goal and was able to acquire the land. This has made the biggest difference in my daily life because now my children will have a place of their own to build their homes, and it’s also a valuable asset for us. In addition, we will now avoid the ongoing family conflict, bringing peace of mind to my family."

"In the coming months, I plan to use the remaining transfers to pay the required labor fees to finalize the construction of the house. Once the house is fully completed, my next goal is to start a kiosk business. Establishing this business will diversify my income sources and provide me with additional financial stability to support my family. I am already a member of a savings group and intend to save more once the house is complete, so I can accumulate enough capital to launch the business next year. I am deeply appreciative of the support from GiveDirectly, which has empowered me to make significant strides towards my goals, especially rebuilding my home and planning for a more secure financial future."

"One evening, I was surprised to see people full of excitement, buying food at the nearest shopping center. Curious, I asked them what was happening, and they told me that the GiveDirectly transfer had come. Earlier, I heard a message on my phone, but I didn’t check it because I couldn't read. So, I took a motorbike to Marigat to ask my son about the message, and when he confirmed that the money had arrived, I felt so happy. I knew right then that I wanted to buy a mattress."

"Financial constraints stands out to be my biggest challenge. This is because, I am currently a housewife despite having the desire to enroll in a technical college to learn beauty and therapy course. Being jobless has made me feel as a burden to my husband. The only job that we majorly depend on is his motorbike taxi which earns him very little, usually $5.4 per day. This income goes to food and we lack even a coin to save for our future. The feeling of jobless and the lack of money to venture into what I inspire to do in life is what has robbed away my happiness."

"When I received the cash transfer, I used $80 of it to pay the school fees for my three children who attend a nearby academy. I had fallen behind on payments because I couldn’t afford it after the maize and tomatoes we planted were destroyed by floods. We had hoped the harvest would cover the fees, but the floods ruined that plan. I was so relieved to finally clear the arrears. With $20, I was able to pay off a debt I had taken some time ago to cover farming costs. The debt had lingered for a while, and the interest kept going up, making it difficult to repay. It felt good to settle that debt and ease the burden it had placed on me. I used another $40 to buy clothes and shoes for my children. They needed to look presentable, and it gave me great joy to see them well-dressed. The remaining $60 was spent on household food items, which was a relief as it ensured we had enough to eat for a while. The cash transfer helped us cover these essential needs, and I’m grateful for the support."

"My main challenge had been paying school fees for my children, as I had struggled so much to make ends meet. I depended on my hotel business, where I earned $3 a day, but this was barely enough to cover all our needs and pay school fees on time. I was worried that my children might miss the opportunity to continue their studies. My other son had finished secondary school, but since we had no money, he was forced to stay home instead of proceeding to college. Now, I’m happy because he is back in school. Thanks to the cash transfers, I was able to pay his fees, and he is now on the right track. As a family, we are incredibly grateful and happy because if it weren’t for these cash transfers, my son wouldn’t have joined college, and my other children in primary school might have dropped out a long time ago. I can’t thank this organization enough, and I’m confident that my children will have a brighter future, which I believe will break the cycle of poverty that has affected us for so long."

"My main challenge had been paying school fees for my children, as I had struggled so much to make ends meet. I depended on my hotel business, where I earned $3 a day, but this was barely enough to cover all our needs and pay school fees on time. I was worried that my children might miss the opportunity to continue their studies. My other son had finished secondary school, but since we had no money, he was forced to stay home instead of proceeding to college. Now, I’m happy because he is back in school. Thanks to the cash transfers, I was able to pay his fees, and he is now on the right track. As a family, we are incredibly grateful and happy because if it weren’t for these cash transfers, my son wouldn’t have joined college, and my other children in primary school might have dropped out a long time ago. I can’t thank this organization enough, and I’m confident that my children will have a brighter future, which I believe will break the cycle of poverty that has affected us for so long."