"Living a life of debts is what has robbed away my joy as a mother. I am currently struggling to offset my loan of $5384.6 that I took three years ago. Being a widow, I assumed all the household responsibilities. Since I have four children in school, I have never had peace of mind because I am forced to borrow loans to support them. My teaching job is currently not reliable since I use the salary to offset the monthly installments. In a month, I am required to pay $176.9. This leaves me with $61.5 only from my salary, that I use to cater for other household needs. Imagine working for a whole month and only to receive this amount! It is so demotivating. Thus, finacial constraints stands out to be my biggest challenge."

"As a family of four, we face a significant challenge when it comes to securing funds for my child's education. Education is incredibly important to us, and it weighs heavily on my mind, especially when my child has to stay home for more than a week due to unpaid school fees. This situation is distressing, as I know how much she wants to learn and be with her friends at school. Currently, my husband is unemployed, which adds to our financial strain. He relies solely on his motorcycle taxi services to bring in any income, but the earnings from that are hardly enough to cover our basic needs, let alone the costs associated with my child's education. The constant worry about meeting essential expenses while trying to prioritize her schooling creates a cycle of stress and frustration for our family. We hope to find a way to alleviate this burden and ensure that my child can continue her education without interruption."

"In the coming year, my goal is to continue with the necessary repairs to my house. I plan to purchase stones and additional cement to reinforce the walls, which have developed cracks. This will ensure my home is safe to live in and durable against future weather conditions. I also aim to keep up with the monthly payments on the solar lighting system to ensure I can continue enjoying the benefits of reliable lighting. By allocating a portion of each transfer toward these goals, I can work steadily toward maintaining a safe and well-lit home. I’m deeply appreciative of the financial assistance, as it’s empowering me to live more independently and with peace of mind."

"As a family of nine, we encounter a variety of challenges on a daily basis, with the most pressing issue being the financial burden of school fees for our children. Currently, I have five kids who rely entirely on me and my spouse for their educational expenses. My spouse is not formally employed and primarily engages in casual labor. While these sporadic jobs help us meet some of our necessities, they fall short of providing the financial stability needed to cover our children's educational needs. This has led to a constant struggle to make ends meet. For instance, during this current school year (2024), the financial strain has been particularly severe. Regrettably, three of our children were unable to attend school for over a month due to unpaid fees. This situation has created a great deal of anxiety for us as parents, as we know how crucial consistent education is for their development and future opportunities. The missed days in school not only hinder their academic progress but also put a significant strain on their motivation and self-esteem. It truly keeps us awake at night, worrying about the long-term impact this will have on their education and overall well-being. We desperately hope for a solution to this overwhelming challenge so we can provide our children with the education they deserve."

"I am committed to managing my health condition with care and following my doctor’s instructions to ensure I live a healthy life. To do this, I plan to use a portion of my monthly transfers to buy the medicine I need, making sure I stay on top of my treatment. At the same time, I have always dreamed of owning livestock, so I also intend to use part of my transfers to purchase more goats and ducks. I am hopeful that over time, these animals will multiply and provide me with a reliable source of support, especially when this program eventually comes to an end. I am truly grateful for the assistance I have been receiving,as it is giving me the opportunity to build a better future for myself."

"When I received $200 from GiveDirectly, I decided to follow my original plan, as I had already carefully thought about how to use this support. I spent $100 to buy a comfortable bed and mattress, replacing my old makeshift bedding, which had been very uncomfortable. Now, I sleep well and look forward to bedtime each night. This has greatly improved my overall well-being, and I wake up feeling happy and well-rested each morning. I used $50 to buy food, as I am elderly and unable to go out to earn money. By stocking my home with enough food, I no longer have to stress or overly depend on my children like before. This independence brings me peace of mind. The remaining $50 went toward strengthening the fence around my home, which had started to weaken. Improving the fence has provided added security for both me and my poultry. I keep chickens on a small scale, and they provide me with eggs. Thanks to GiveDirectly, I now feel safer and more comfortable in my home, and I am incredibly grateful for this support."

"Since I started receiving this money, the biggest changes have been in hygiene and food security. Mentally, I feel at peace knowing I have enough food at home. GiveDirectly has enabled me to afford a variety of foods, which has even helped me recover from ulcers. Another major difference is having a toilet now. It has improved my family’s overall wellness and restored a sense of dignity. Having a safe, private space for hygiene has been invaluable for us. Thanks to GiveDirectly, these essential needs are now met, and my family’s quality of life has greatly improved."

"Now that my mental health is improving day by day, I have a new goal: to build a two-room house. For so long, I've been sleeping at my mother's house, which I feel ashamed of because both she and I need our privacy. I plan to accomplish this goal by selling one acre of land that my father left behind, with the full support of my family members. I want to heal completely and fulfill this dream. Once I achieve it, I'll finally have the protection I've been missing, and by the time I start my own family, I'll be well-prepared with proper shelter."

"GiveDirectly's cash transfers have truly uplifted us, providing immediate relief and a sense of security. The follow-up process on the money is a great motivator because it encourages us to take the assistance seriously and use it wisely. The financial education they provide has shifted my mindset from just focusing on daily needs, like food, to considering long-term sustainability. This empowerment has helped me plan better for my family's future. I believe GiveDirectly is doing an excellent job, and I would not suggest any changes; continuing the same approach is something I fully support."

"In my community, farming has always been our way of survival, and I wanted to invest wisely in agriculture to support my children’s education. I spent $170 on onion and bean seeds, hoping that a good harvest would provide enough income to cover school fees and our family’s needs. Additionally, I used $100 directly to pay off school fees, which brought me relief, as I usually depend on farming and charcoal burning to raise these funds. We used to plant Kenyan seeds, which always gave us a decent return, but the recent floods destroyed my two-acre maize field, making this transfer a lifeline for our survival.I decided to use $90 to buy two goats, as they’re valuable for both milk and income. When the goats start producing milk, we’ll have enough for our family and some to sell, allowing us to reinvest in farming or cover other school expenses. I also put $45 toward food, as our supplies were very low after the flood wiped out our crops. Without GiveDirectly’s support, it would have been nearly impossible to provide my children with nutritious meals, and I’m truly grateful for this assistance in these tough times.The remaining funds went toward improving our home. I bought a small sofa set for $40, giving us a comfortable place to sit, and I spent $5 on new curtains, making our home feel a bit more welcoming. As a single mother with three children, life has been challenging since my husband passed away. This cash transfer has lifted a huge weight off my shoulders, and I feel motivated to rebuild and improve our lives. Each investment I’ve made has brought us a step closer to a stable future, and I’m hopeful that things will keep improving from here."