"We currently live in a two-room house, with our two boys and two girls sharing a single room. As the boys grow older, they will need separate rooms for privacy and independence. To address this, I am planning to build a three-room house. This new arrangement will allow us to vacate our current house for our sons while we move into the new one, providing everyone with the privacy they need. Although I haven't started construction yet, I am grateful to GiveDirectly for their support, which will enable me to achieve this goal. I have already begun buying building materials and aim to continue acquiring them through my monthly transfers. This is my major goal for the coming year and beyond. I am thankful for the financial support, which previously allowed me to buy a goat something I couldn't have managed without this assistance."

"Since receiving the transfer, the biggest difference in our lives is having a TV, which has brought my family closer together. Owning a TV was my long-time dream, and I am overjoyed that the transfer allowed me to make this purchase. Watching TV has become a source of entertainment and information for us. We can now enjoy various programs and stay updated on the news, giving us insight into what's happening in our country. Before, we could only hear about events and our leaders through the radio, but now we can see them on TV. My children are particularly excited about the TV. They are more motivated to complete their tasks quickly, like fetching water, so they can watch their favourite shows. This has replaced their habit of wasting time on the road with friends. In the past, I often felt left out when my neighbors and friends discussed TV programs. I could not join in because I wasn't familiar with the shows they talked about. Now, I can be part of those conversations, which has improved my social interactions and sense of belonging."

"Surviving with casual jobs has been tough for my husband and me, especially since he is a motorcycle rider and his income is unreliable. We also take care of my mom, who fractured her leg and cannot move, so all her needs fall on us. Three months ago, I started selling boiled eggs to provide an additional income source, although the profits are minimal. After receiving my second transfer from GiveDirectly, I decided to venture into crop farming, specifically seed maize, under Kenya Seed Company. Our motivation came from other farmers and the availability of a ready market. I rented an acre of land for $50, spent $80 on land preparations, and used my savings for planting. My crops are almost ready for harvest, and I expect to get about 15 bags. Our sleeping has been uncomfortable due to our small bed and old mattress, so I bought a new bed and mattress for $94. We gave the old ones to my mom, who had been sleeping on rags. To ensure she has light, we gave her our solar lamp and bought another for $35 for ourselves. Using a normal button phone has been challenging, so I bought a smartphone with a $50 deposit and paid the rest in $1 daily installments. This helps me stay updated on social media, as I don’t have a TV and often rely on others for information. To avoid boredom while at home alone, I bought a woofer for $38. I also bought second-hand clothes for us and my sister’s children, costing around $40. The remainder I spent on food items. Thank you, GiveDirectly."

"I have a daughter who completed her secondary school education and is supposed to join college this year in September to pursue a course in education. My plan for this year is to continue saving my transfers in our merry-go-round and pool funds so that when September comes, I am able to enroll my daughter in college. Additionally, I am planning to continue burning and selling charcoal to make more money, which I will add to the pooled funds with the aim of my daughter joining college. Once she has joined, I plan to continue investing some of the transfers from the pooled fund that I would have continued saving to buy more goats, in hopes that they will multiply and increase in number so that I may be able to sell them in the future and continue supporting my children's education"

"Our area faces chronic water shortages, and we have to travel long distances to fetch water. It's costly to buy water, and sometimes I have to pay for a motorbike to transport it to my home. Due to my health issues, I can't make long trips, so I have to hire someone to carry water for me, which is expensive. I want to express my gratitude to GiveDirectly because soon this issue will be resolved. With my first transfer, I'm in the process of installing a water tap. I covered the installation costs, including purchasing a water meter. My goal is to address the water challenges in my household. In addition to using the water for my own needs, I plan to sell it to others to generate income. I also used some of the transfer money to buy a cow. Previously, I only had goats, so I'm pleased to have a cow now too. I no longer have to buy milk, and I intend to sell the surplus to cover my basic needs."

"I am incredibly thankful to GiveDirectly for the relief they brought to my household by providing financial support. As a single parent, I have been struggling to raise my children without any external help, all in the hope of seeing them succeed in their academic journey. Despite my best efforts, I often found myself unable to pay their school fees, causing them to miss classes for extended periods. To make ends meet, I have been doing menial jobs and even resorted to making and selling charcoal for a living. I also took small loans from our village savings group, but often struggled to repay them. All my efforts were aimed at ensuring that my children could stay in school and receive the education they deserve. Receiving the transfer from GiveDirectly was truly a blessing. It came at a time when I was at home, unsure of when I would be able to gather enough money to pay the fees, which would have taken a long time. With the support, I was able to clear the fee arrears, and it brings me peace to see my children now comfortably attending school, no longer missing classes. On top of addressing our immediate needs, the support has also allowed me to build a decent house for my family. The one we've been living in was in bad shape, made of palm leaves, and dilapidated.This is something that would have taken years to accomplish without the support I received, and for that, I am incredibly grateful."

"Living in a two-room house presents challenges, especially with growing children. My two sons share one room, while my daughters and I occupy the other. With my daughters approaching adulthood and my husband frequently away for work, it's clear they'll need their own space. Therefore, my new goal is to construct an additional bedroom for my daughters next year. This expansion will ease our cramped living conditions and provide my daughters with the privacy and comfort they deserve. I am optimistic that this project will greatly enhance our family's well-being and create a more conducive environment for us."

"You have done an excellent job, especially since your work does not involve politics or village elders. In our area, anything involving politics often leads to a lot of discrimination, even with relief food, where they choose who receives it and who does not. Your approach of enrolling people from within the village boundaries, rather than those who come just for the money, is commendable.As far as I can see, GiveDirectly does not need any improvement—just continue with the same spirit."

"My plan is to sell the maize from my upcoming harvest and use the proceeds to pay down the balance on the plot I bought, reducing the outstanding amount. With the remaining funds, I will pay for my son's school fees, as he is hopefully joining university next year. However, my primary focus is to finish paying off the plot of land. Once that's done, I will start constructing rental houses. The income from these rentals will allow me to open my own businesses."

"My house is a two roomed house with small rooms. I have a big family of 6 children myself and my husband when he is around. this house is too little to accommodate all of us. My plan is to expand it. I will be able to continue saving in my savings group to achieve this goal. I hope to buy 20 iron sheets first as they are the most expensive of the materials I need. I will then move to the next once this is done."