"I have been facing a number of challenge in life. One of the greatest challenge I am currently facing is food Insecurity. Our area has been affected by the harsh climatic changes making it very impossible for us to have a great harvest on time.This year we were unable to harvest since all our crops dies due to harsh weather conditions. This has made my family and I live on a leash. I have been unable to fend for my kids and I since I depend on subsistence farming to meet my family needs."

"I live in a one-roomed house that has a grass-thatched roof. It leaks very much during the rainy season. Most times, I remain standing the whole night when it rains. Three months ago, one of my children was diagnosed with pneumonia because he was affected by wind. I have lived in this house for over three years now. This has been a challenge for me. My mother wanted to visit last month but I declined because I have no room to accommodate her."

"In early January 2024, I started experiencing a strange sensation all over my body, prompting me to seek immediate medical attention. I was diagnosed with high blood pressure. Two weeks later, I began experiencing persistent chest pains that made it difficult to breathe. Upon returning to Kilifi District Hospital, I received the devastating news that I had a heart condition, which came as a shock to me. This news was particularly distressing given that I am a widow and solely responsible for meeting my basic needs. While I have children, they are married with families of their own, and I am hesitant to burden them with my condition. Acquiring funds for my ongoing medication is a constant source of stress for me. Illiterate and without steady employment, I rely on occasional work such as farming on others' land and charcoal production, which unfortunately exacerbates my condition. Despite being advised by the doctor to avoid strenuous casual labor, I struggle to comply as I have no one else to depend on. I earnestly hope to find a compassionate individual who can provide support and help me navigate through this difficult situation."

"When I received the cash transfer, the first thing that came to mind was the verandah I had been dreaming of adding to my three-roomed house. With $150, I bought iron sheets, some metals, and roofing nails, all the materials I needed to extend the verandah. It was something I had wanted for a long time, a place where my children and I could sit and enjoy our meals without feeling the intense heat inside the house. The verandah has a half wall, which allows the breeze to flow through, making it comfortable. With $30, I bought a bag of maize, which has been a staple for us. This maize will provide us with enough flour to make meals for several weeks, ensuring that my children go to bed with full stomachs. The final $20 went towards paying the mason who built the verandah extension. Watching the verandah take shape was incredibly satisfying, knowing that every dollar was spent with purpose. Now, we have a place that not only shields us from the sun but also brings us together as a family in a space that feels open, cool, and welcoming."

"My husband is a fisherman, and I do casual jobs like burning charcoal. However, we don’t rely heavily on charcoal; most of our income comes from my husband’s earnings, which are about $3 a day. He used to be the primary breadwinner, but sometimes we struggle to find a market for the fish, making it difficult to afford basic necessities. When I received the cash transfer, we had no savings, and my daughter-in-law was at the maternity ward, so I used $50 to purchase clothes for the newborn and other essentials. Additionally, I spent $50 on food to ensure we had enough at home. This allowed us to focus on our 2-hectare maize farm without worrying about where our next meal would come from. I also had outstanding school fees, so I allocated $40 to clear those arrears and ensure my child could stay in school without any interruptions.With the remaining $30, we decided to buy new clothes for my family of five, ensuring that everyone had something new to wear. The cash transfer came at the perfect time and helped us cover our immediate needs while allowing us to plan for the future."

"With my first transfer of $180, I invested all of it in agriculture, specifically to plant watermelons. I'm expecting to harvest enough to fill one lorry, which I can sell for around $1,500. I have four children, and my wife is an ECD (Early Childhood Development) teacher, earning about $9,000 per month. While waiting for the watermelon harvest, I’ve also planted kales, which provide around $60 to cover basic needs. Additionally, I own 30 sheep, and I plan to sell some in case of an emergency, giving us a backup source of income.The watermelons are a major opportunity because they have the potential for high profit. Once we harvest, I will use the money from the watermelons to expand my business by buying and selling livestock. My plan is to purchase sheep at $50 and sell them at $70, making a profit of $20 per sheep. This would be a huge turning point for me, allowing us to grow our income steadily.For watermelon farming, I use a generator and pipes to pump water from the nearby river, ensuring the crops are well-irrigated. I'm hopeful that this venture will bring in a good profit, and I’m looking forward to reinvesting in more sheep with the next transfer. This will help me build a more stable financial future for my family and expand our farming and livestock businesses."

"With the unconditional cash transfer, I was able to make a significant difference in our lives. I used $50 to pay for my children's school fees, ensuring their education continues without interruption. I also bought six chickens for $20, planning to sell them gradually to help cover future school expenses as they multiply. Additionally, I purchased a bed for $50 and chairs for $40, which has made our home much more comfortable. I spent $40 on clothes so that my children could have new outfits and feel happy, as they had very few clothes before.Life has been challenging since separating from my husband ten years ago. I manage everything on my own while also trying to balance charcoal burning and farming. Unfortunately, this year's farming was a complete loss due to floods that destroyed my crops. The floods also took away six of my chickens, further straining our situation.Despite these hardships, the cash transfer has provided a much-needed boost. It has allowed me to address some urgent needs and bring a bit of relief and comfort to my children. Even though the struggle continues, knowing that we have essential items and a small source of future income from the chickens gives me hope for a better future."

"My two sons had been sent home from high school to collect their school fees, and I used $100 to pay what was due. It was such a relief because they could finally return to school without further interruptions. I also used $15 to pay the fees for my daughter, who is in Grade 8. The timing couldn’t have been better, as I had been worried about how to keep them in school. I spent $35 on a bag of maize, which was essential since we had been struggling to buy food due to my reliance on casual jobs. Knowing that I wouldn’t have to worry about our next meal brought me a sense of security I hadn’t felt in a while. I also used $10 to buy sugar and cooking oil, which are necessities that have been difficult to afford lately. The remaining amount, though small, allowed me to start a small grocery business. I knew that depending solely on casual labor wasn’t sustainable, so I invested the little money left to buy mangoes, oranges and spices to sell.This little business gives me a way to earn more consistently, helping to stabilize our household finances. It’s a small start, but it offers hope for a better future."

"Receiving the transfer has brought significant changes to our lives. Now that I own goats, I see a brighter future ahead. When the goats multiply, I’ll be able to sell them and use the income for farming and other needs. They will also provide us with milk, helping to improve our daily nutrition. The transfer has given us hope, especially after the heavy rains destroyed so much of our household. It’s been hard recovering from that, but knowing we have something to rely on, like the goats, has made life more manageable. The support has helped us start rebuilding and planning for a more stable future."

"It was Sunday afternoon, and I had just come back from church, feeling very stressed. A few days earlier, on Friday, my children were sent home from school because I couldn’t pay their fees. I was worried and didn’t know where the money would come from. The thought of my children missing school made me feel even worse. As the day went on, I was deep in thought when suddenly, my sons ran into the house, shouting excitedly, "Mum! GiveDirectly has sent money!" At first, I didn’t believe it. I quickly picked up my phone to check, and to my surprise, the money was really there. I was so happy and relieved that I started praying, thanking God for such a wonderful blessing. The next day, I was able to send my children back to school, feeling grateful for the help that came at just the right time."