"Life had been a constant struggle, especially with my crops being destroyed by goats. I had always dreamed of having a safe farm where I could grow my food without worrying about animals getting in. So, I spent $420 to fence my home using barked and jailing wire. This investment was essential for protecting my farm and ensuring that my crops could grow freely without disturbance. It was a relief to finally know that my vegetables, which are my main source of food, would be safe from harm. Once I had fenced the farm, I used the remaining amount of money to buy new clothes. My old clothes were worn out and unsuitable for any occasion, so I felt it was time to invest in something better. As a single person, living alone, I had been managing on my own, cooking and taking care of everything. It felt good to finally have something new to wear, especially with the holidays approaching. Farming has been my main way of surviving, and it’s what keeps me going. I plant vegetables to ensure I have food to eat, and sometimes I sell a little to make some extra money. This cash transfer has made a huge difference in my life. It has helped me secure my farm and improve my living conditions, and I’m grateful for the support."

"In the coming years, I want to focus on farming, particularly growing watermelons, as I believe it will bring good income. When I start earning from the watermelons, my plan is to open a business shop. I will use the profits from that shop to pay for my children’s education, ensuring they have a better future. Farming and business will be key to improving our lives and providing for my family. I am determined to make sure my children get an education and have the opportunities I never had. This will be a step toward securing a brighter future for all of us."

"GiveDirectly has been very reliable, and I appreciate that they always fulfill their promises. They do not lie or make false commitments, which has made me trust them even more. I really like how they follow up with us to make sure everything is going well and that we are using the money properly. This follow-up shows their dedication to helping us and ensuring the money is used for its intended purpose. From my experience, I did not notice anything bad about how they operate. Overall, I am grateful for their support, and everything has been handled well."

"When the officers came, they treated us with respect and patience, always happy to help and make sure we understood everything. They asked if we were willing to participate in the program, and I felt that they genuinely cared about our well-being. I did not notice anything wrong with the way GiveDirectly handled things, and I appreciated their approach. However, I noticed that some people were left out during the enrollment process, and my wish was for everyone in the community to be included, so that we would all be treated equally. I believe that if everyone who needed help was enrolled, it would make a big difference for the whole community. Overall, I am grateful for the support GiveDirectly has given, but I hope future enrollments can be more inclusive."

"I really appreciate how GiveDirectly follows up with us to make sure we use the unconditional cash correctly, so we don’t misuse it. It's also reassuring that they don’t ask for the money back once it’s given, which helps us feel secure in using it wisely. I have not noticed anything bad about GiveDirectly; everything has been well organized and transparent. The support they provide is very helpful, and I feel confident in how they handle everything. They’ve made sure to guide us properly, and I’m grateful for that. Overall, I’m satisfied with the way they’ve conducted the process, and I haven’t seen any areas for improvement."

"I am a passionate farmer, and when I received the unconditional cash transfer, I knew exactly how I wanted to use it to improve my family’s situation. I spent $240 on farming, as I plan to sell my harvest to cover the school fees for my eight children. Education is a top priority for me, and I want to ensure that my children get a good start in life. However, farming is also my livelihood, so I used $77 to buy medicine for my livestock, as they had fallen ill. My livestock is a key source of income, and I wanted to ensure they remain healthy to continue providing for my family.Furthermore, I used $40 to buy new clothes for my children, as their old ones were worn out. Seeing them in new clothes not only boosts their confidence but also gives me peace of mind knowing they have what they need. I also spent $80 on food, as we rely heavily on farming, especially vegetables, to feed the family. This purchase ensured we have enough to eat without the constant worry of where our next meal will come from, allowing me to focus on my work without stress.Life has been tough since my husband passed away four years ago, and I’ve been doing everything I can to ensure my children’s well-being. I struggle, but I’m determined to give my children the best opportunities despite the challenges. The money from GiveDirectly has made a significant difference, helping me meet some of my immediate needs and secure a better future for my family."

"Life had been very challenging for me, especially with the responsibility of raising two children and managing a household after my husband retired as a security guard four years ago. Recognizing the need for more space for my growing sons, I used $230 from the cash transfer to buy materials to build a house for them. This decision was necessary to ensure their comfort and privacy. Additionally, I purchased a new bed and mattress for $70 because my sons had been sleeping on the sofas. I gave them my old bed so everyone in the family could sleep more comfortably.I also made essential improvements to our home. I spent $15 on two chairs and $16 on curtains to make the house more functional and welcoming. With $20, I repaired our kitchen, which had been in bad condition for some time and needed immediate attention. Unfortunately, I fell ill with typhoid and malaria and had to spend $20 on medical bills to recover. Taking care of my health was crucial for maintaining my ability to provide for my family.With the remaining amount, I bought food to ensure there was enough at home, which meant I no longer had to rely on casual jobs to feed my family. This allowed me to focus on farming and spending more time with my children. The cash transfer has transformed my life, giving me stability, better health, and peace at home, for which I am incredibly grateful."

"Life took a challenging turn for me and my family after floods destroyed our farm, washing away ripening vegetables, maize, and even the trees we relied on for burning charcoal. We were left with no food and a looming loan from Kenya Seed that financed the lost crops. It was a heartbreaking struggle, especially with two young children to care for. However, when I received the unconditional cash transfer, it felt like a ray of hope that finally allowed us to recover and rebuild. I carefully planned how to use the money to address both immediate needs and long-term stability for my family. With $150, I purchased three goats to secure a steady supply of milk for my children. Buying milk from the shop at $1 per liter was unsustainable and not even enough for them to drink daily. The goats will not only reduce our expenses but also provide future income through breeding. I also invested $155 in agriculture, buying a knapsack sprayer, vegetable seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and fuel to pump water from the river. I knew this investment in crop production would yield profits and help ensure we have enough food at home. To focus on farming without the constant worry of looking for food, I spent $58 on groceries, ensuring my family had enough to eat during this recovery phase. Additionally, I used $80 to buy clothes and shoes for my family, as we had no proper attire for outings or even daily needs. With the remaining $12, I purchased a large cooking pot, which was much needed for my growing family. Before the floods, life was tough, with casual jobs and farming barely sustaining us. Now, thanks to the transfer, I feel hopeful and more stable. My family has food, plans for future income through farming and livestock, and a chance to rebuild a better life."

"Insufficient funds and cash to run our daily expenses are making our lives harder. I am a housewife, and my husband is a water vendor in the village, earning an approximate wage of KES 200 a day. Because we are living in a hard economic time, that cash is hardly enough to run a family of 4. Moreover, getting customers has become hard, unlike before, because many people have ventured into the same business, and thus, the market is flooded. To realize our dream, we intend to repair our motorcycle to use in vending water and increase our income. Give Directly's cash will catapult our dream and I am glad to be among the beneficiaries of the same."

"In the coming year and beyond, I plan to focus on building a better house for my family. I also want to boost my wife’s business, as it plays a crucial role in providing food for our family while I focus on other responsibilities. My current house is made of mud, and the walls have become weak over time. It is risky to stay there, as we fear it could collapse during a heavy downpour or strong winds. Unfortunately, we do not have an alternative at the moment, so we continue to live there. To achieve this goal, I plan to use part of my daily income from my motorbike taxi business, combined with my GiveDirectly income, to buy building materials. This time, I want to build a solid house with stone walls, as stones are easily accessible in our area. Once the house is complete, I will focus on expanding my wife’s business by adding more items and increasing the quantity of existing goods, ensuring she has enough stock to attract more customers."