"Upon receiving $200 from GiveDirectly, I felt an overwhelming sense of happiness. I quickly decided to change my plans, as I had not anticipated that two of my children would be sent home due to a lack of school fees. Thanks to GiveDirectly's unconditional transfer, I was able to adjust my priorities. I used $140 to pay their school fees, which had been a source of stress for me because I didn't want to see my kids at home while others continued their education. Additionally, I spent $40 to buy food, as finding enough to eat in our area is a challenge. With this money, I was finally able to provide for my family's needs, ensuring we have food on the table."

"Upon receiving the $180 from GiveDirectly, I decided to invest in my family’s future. I used $140 to buy two goats, which will provide us with milk and serve as a source of income. Having goats will also be helpful in times of emergencies, as they can be sold if needed. Additionally, I bought food because we were struggling with hunger, and it was important for my family to have enough to eat. Now, we feel more secure knowing that we have both food and a way to generate income for our needs."

"The biggest difference in my life since I started receiving cash from GiveDirectly has been in the areas of food security and sanitation. Before these transfers, my family was struggling to put enough food on the table, which caused us a lot of stress and worry. Now, we have enough to eat, and I no longer have to constantly worry about where our next meal will come from. Additionally, we did not have a toilet, which is a very important structure for maintaining high levels of hygiene. With the support from GiveDirectly, I was able to build a toilet for our family, greatly improving our living conditions and ensuring better health for everyone. This change has brought us comfort and peace of mind, and I am incredibly grateful for the support."

"Upon receiving my latest transfer of $450 from GiveDirectly, I immediately took action to support my family. I used $210 to pay the school fees for two of my children, who were on the verge of being sent home due to unpaid fees. Thankfully, since I made this payment, they have been able to continue their education without interruption, and I am very grateful to GiveDirectly for that. Next, I invested $100 in buying watermelon seeds and paying for the labor needed for planting. I planted melons on two acres of land because this crop thrives in our area and fetches good prices in the market. I plan to use the proceeds from the harvest to boost my existing business and purchase more assets that I currently do not have. Additionally, I spent $50 on food for my family to ensure we have enough to eat at home. The remaining money went towards our daily household needs, helping us maintain a stable and comfortable living environment. I feel hopeful about the future, thanks to the support from GiveDirectly."

"Now that I have a generator, my goal is to buy more pipes so I can pump water from a longer distance. This will allow me to irrigate my farm more effectively and help ensure that my farming venture is sustainable. I am excited about the possibilities this brings, as it will improve my crop yields and provide more food for my family. The thought of expanding my farming capabilities fills me with joy, and I feel hopeful about the future. I am incredibly grateful to GiveDirectly for their support, which has made this life upgrade possible."

"Moving forward, I want to transform my farming, which is why my goal for this year is to invest in a generator and essential water pipes for irrigation. With these tools, I’ll be able to water my farm reliably, giving my crops a better chance to thrive. I believe that, along with the income from livestock, this will provide enough food and money for my family. This approach will help me avoid taking loans in the future, as they can be expensive and stressful in the long run. Having a self-sustaining farm brings me hope for a stable and secure future for my family."

"Recently, I received $450 from GiveDirectly, and I am incredibly grateful for this support. I received the transfer in the morning and immediately decided to invest in livestock, spending $370 to buy a cow and two sheep. In my culture, livestock ownership is a source of pride and respect—without animals, one is seen as a “nobody.” We are traditionally nomadic, but drought had caused me to lose all my livestock. Thanks to GiveDirectly, I now own livestock again, and I plan to care for them well. Not only do they restore my pride, but they will also provide my family with milk and a future source of income. I used $50 of the money to buy food, which gives me the energy I need for my daily activities. The remaining amount allowed me to visit my family, something I am deeply thankful for. After being separated from my wife for 11 years, I am now reunited with my children, and I currently live with three of them. This experience has been profoundly moving, and I am grateful to GiveDirectly for making it possible."

"What truly stood out to me about GiveDirectly, beyond the life-changing, unconditional cash transfers that have raised the standard of living in my community, is the respectful and professional approach of their officers. They treat each of us with genuine respect, always asking for our consent before proceeding with any part of the program. This respectful nature has created a sense of trust and dignity in our interactions. I have not seen any weaknesses or loopholes in their program—it is transparent and well-organized. However, I do hope GiveDirectly will enhance its enrollment processes in the future so that even more people can benefit from this impactful support."

"In this area around lake Baringo, fishing is an economic activity that earns more families income. My family is not exceptional. As a family of three , we depend on fish trading to earn a living. However, this business comes with its share of challenges. Two weeks ago, my customer in Kitale ordered fish worth KES 17000 which I delivered. Unfortunately, when it arrived there, she said that all the fish had gone bad and she had disposed of them. Although I had invested that much in the fish, I was not paid anything and therefore I ran into a loss. It is a loss that I have not recovered yet and it is stressing me because I do not know of the future business."

"Job security is the biggest challenge I am currently facing.I am a hands man in the construction sector since the year 2020. Securing a stable job in this era with my form four certificate of grade D+ has been unsuccessful ,I decided to join the construction sector doing handy works even though I am not satisfied with it .This work is energy draining, inconsistent in availability and has so much exploitation from the contractors due to high availability of labour force.In a week for instance,I can work for three days earning at most KES 500 a day.This money is limited when compared to my weekly expenditure of KES 1600.I end up having no savings hence foreseeing a challenging future for myself ,moreso having to delay in starting a family."