"I used to walk for about four kilometers daily to my farm, little did I know that this will cost me. It was in October 2023 when I felt a sharp pain on my heel, I thought it was just an ordinary pain and took some rest for a week. The situation worsened and I could not walk from my main house to kitchen and prepare food for my family. My husband Essien Parsusumet was concerned about the pain and took me to Marigat district hospital for medication, an x-ray was done and it was found that I had developed calcaneal spur on my two feet. This has totally changed my life and the life of my family. I feel bad that I am now unable to work and support my husband to provide for the family. My husband is now the only sole breadwinner and this is making us struggle to put food on the table. My children would come back from school and spend their evening on their homework and revision, things are not the same again. They are now helping me fetch water since I was advised to take rest and avoid heavy duties. We are also struggling with the high cost of medication, I have to visit my doctor monthly which costs me about KES 5000."

"My goal has been to buy livestock with my monthly transfers because they are assets that I can rely on in case of financial need. Since I rely on subsistence farming, owning livestock was the best venture that I could think of, and so far I have acquired five goats. Unfortunately, my plan of buying the livestock every month was thwarted after I recently suffered chronic hypertension, which eventually led to a stroke. It was an awful moment for me, but through the transfers, I was able to be treated. It left me paralyzed; my leg and my hand on one side went numb. Since I currently do not have any other support for medication, my goal is to use the transfers for the medical checkups to monitor my health condition and also to cover the medical expenses, while also ensuring that I take a balanced diet to regain my health since I am also weak due to old age."

"I bought land, because i want to grow enough crops"

"My main goal is to gather more funds to support my two daughters' college education. It's been two long years since they've been stuck at home, unable to pursue their dreams due to financial constraints. Sending them to college will not only open doors to better opportunities and a brighter future for them, but it will also ease my worries about aging and depending on them. I believe education is the key to success, and by investing in their academic pursuits, I'm investing in a better tomorrow for our family. As they acquire knowledge and skills, they'll be better equipped to support themselves and contribute positively to society. While it's a significant financial commitment, the long-term benefits outweigh the short-term sacrifices. My daughters' education is my priority, and I'm determined to do whatever it takes to make it happen, ensuring a greener future for them and peace of mind for myself as I grow older."

"While at home with my six children—one still breastfeeding and five attending school—my daughter discovered a surprising notification on my phone from GiveDirectly which filled me with immense joy and relief. Being a single parent without a stable job, I rely on selling charcoal to support my family. The money presented an opportunity to complete the construction of our new house that I had started with my previous transfer. I therefore invested $180 to finish building a more comfortable two-bedroom house because the previous one was small and prone to leaking during rainy seasons, posing health risks to my young children. Providing my children with a warm, secure home was a dream come true, bringing tears of gratitude to my eyes considering the rainy seasons ahead. Additionally, I used $120 to purchase three goats of a reputed good breed known for its high likelihood of giving birth to twins twice a year. This investment holds promise for building a substantial flock, which will serve as a future source of income to support my children's education and other family needs. With the remaining funds, my plan is to establish a small kiosk selling groceries which aims to complement my charcoal business, ensuring a more stable income flow to meet our daily family needs. As I watch my children play happily in our soon-to-be-completed home, I am filled with hope and gratitude for the opportunities that lie ahead and a great future."

"For over five years, my family and I lived in a small cubicle made of iron sheets all around, including the roof. As our family expanded to six members, the space became increasingly inadequate. Thanks to the generous support from GiveDirectly, we were able to construct a better home. With the second transfer, I spent $310 on purchasing construction materials, including iron sheets, poles, and nails, for building a gable roof house, an improvement from our previous flat-roofed structure , and another small cubicle where my three children sleep. I also used $75 to pay for labor, ensuring the smooth completion of the construction process. Now, we enjoy ample space, with the addition of a sofa seat worth $50 to complement the six plastic chairs we had. This upgrade has boosted my confidence in welcoming visitors, as opposed to our previous practice of arranging chairs under a tree. Additionally, I invested $25 in land preparation for the upcoming planting season and purchased certified maize seeds for $10. Previously, we relied on loaned farm inputs, subject to interest payments to the seed company after harvest. GiveDirectly's support has relieved us of this burden, granting us autonomy over our harvests. I purchased purchased household essentials with the remaining amound, including utensils and toiletries, as well as covering transportation costs to and from the shopping center while acquiring construction materials."

"With the salon business doing so well, my wife and I are excited about expanding. Seeing the daily earnings rise from $5 to an impressive $25 has shown us the potential. We plan to invest in more machines and a wider range of cosmetic products and hire more personnel to improve service delivery. This expansion will grow our business and increase returns. With more income, we can ensure a better and more stable future for our family."

"Bought a plot of land"

"With the onset of the rainy season, precipitation has begun, prompting me to focus on preparing my one-acre farm for planting maize. A successful harvest would alleviate the strain on my husband, whose earnings from selling charcoal are meager, by providing an ample food supply for our family. I am deeply appreciative of the financial support provided by the transfers, which has significantly contributed to ensuring the well-being of my family, particularly in enabling my children to continue attending school."

"The year 2022 left me with a lot of memories and a big scar of perennial poverty. My dream was to start a hairdressing business and I had managed to save about KES 200000. It all started as an abdominal pain and I thought it was a just a normal ailments. Little did I know that I was suffering from ulcers, the pain worsened and I was rushed to Marigat district hospital for medication. To my shock, I was diagnosed with chronic ulcers which required advanced treatment. Being a single paren and the breadwinner of my family, I was left with nothing but to spend my savings to pay for medical bill. This was not enough, I found myself selling my family assets and even borrowing money from my friends and relatives. I am currently struggling financially to put food on the table as well as meet my family needs."