"The harsh weather has made farming particularly challenging, leaving me vulnerable since I have no maize left, my staple food. As a result, I now have to purchase my food from the store. I plan to allocate part of my future transfers to buy food and ensure I have a steady supply at home. Additionally, I want to save a little from each transfer to invest in more goats. Although they are currently expensive, I am determined to set aside money so I can expand my herd. I am very grateful for the financial assistance from Give Directly, which has been a tremendous help to me."

"At the moment, my primary goals for this year and beyond are to finish the construction of my new house and to fully regain my health. I am grateful to have most of the building materials already purchased, and now I am awaiting the final transfer so that I can cover the costs of labor and any miscellaneous expenses. I also plan to complete my medication and go for additional checkups to ensure I am fully recovered. Health is something I take very seriously, and I want to make sure I am completely well. The thought of having a safe, new home and living a healthy, fulfilling life fills my heart with joy and gratitude."

"In February 2024, insecurity cases were on the rise in my homeland, Yatia. My family of five and I moved to Kapkamon Centre, hoping to find some peace. Just when we thought we had found safety, the threats followed us here. We eventually relocated to our current home in Chebarisiat village. A well-wisher offered us a place to stay, but it is cramped. We are sharing a small space with another family, and there is no privacy at all. I have been dreaming of constructing my own house, but my finances are limited. The KES 4000 I earn from my shopkeeping job goes entirely to food for the household, leaving nothing to save. It is frustrating, and I feel stuck."

"I'm a long term goat farmer. I've depended on them all my life. The biggest challenge is livestock diseases. There are no doctors nearby to assist during outbreaks. I'm always worried I can lose all my goats at once. In the last one year I've lost over sixty goats. This has affected my income stream, leading to difficulty in buying food or supporting my children's education. It's also a challenge keeping goats due to insecurity associated with livestock theft predominant in our locality. I can lose goats overnight, it keeps me worried all the time."

"My biggest challenge currently is that I was displaced by floods. I currently live in a borrowed land in a dilapidated structure. This worries me because I feel I am exposed as I don't have the means of building a better structure for myself. I fear that I might contract pneumonia as the nights are really cold."

"When I received money from GiveDirectly, I felt relieved because they let us decide how to use it however we wanted. There were no rules forcing us to spend it in a certain way, which made things easier. They also took time to explain everything clearly, so we knew how the process worked and what to expect. I felt informed and comfortable from the beginning. I do not thing there is anything that needs to be changed in the program. Everything was done well and I cannot complain because they have changed our lives for the best."

"When I received the money from GiveDirectly, it was like a weight lifted off my shoulders. The best part was that they trusted me to know what was best for my family. Instead, they left that decision to me, which allowed me to focus on what we needed most. That freedom was powerful because it showed they respected my judgment and knew that we each have unique needs. Everything about the program was clearly explained from the start. I understood what to expect, and the information was shared in a way that left me with no questions or confusion. It gave me confidence to use the money wisely. GiveDirectly don’t need to change a thing about their approach. By giving us the money directly and letting us decide, they showed they really understand what people like us need."

"When GiveDirectly arrived in our village, they did something different from any other aid group we had ever seen—they simply handed us the money and trusted us to decide how to use it. They didn’t tell us what to do with it or try to manage our plans; they believed that we knew our own needs best. What was even more remarkable was that everyone in the village received the same amount. This approach meant we could grow as a community, supporting one another instead of creating division. It brought us together in a way that only mutual progress can. On top of that, the GiveDirectly staff were incredibly kind and respectful. They listened to us, speaking warmly and genuinely. It felt less like a program and more like a partnership. If I could give any advice, it would be simple: don’t change anything about the program."

"I want to make sure we have enough food by planting maize on the two acres of land we own. My husband will go out fishing, and with the money he earns, we'll be able to plough the land and buy seeds for planting. After we harvest, I hope we'll have some extra maize. The plan is to sell the surplus, and with that money, I want to buy ten goats as an investment. I have three children in school, and I know that emergencies can come up. If that happens, I can sell a goat or two to cover any urgent school fees. This way, I feel we'll be more secure, with both food and a backup plan for my children’s education."

"The biggest change in my daily life has been sending my daughter back to school. She is currently in Form 2, and I have to say, it hasn’t been easy at all. Since I don’t have a permanent job, I am solely responsible for our household needs, which has made things quite challenging, especially when it comes to her school fees. Unfortunately, this led to her being sent home due to accumulated arrears. It hurt me deeply because my daughter is my source of hope, and I am fully committed to her education. Now, I feel immense joy because support from a local organization has encouraged me to pay her fees and ensure she returns to school. I am finally at peace, knowing my daughter can focus on her studies without the burden of financial worries affecting her academic performance. I am incredibly grateful to this organization for helping us see the light at the end of the tunnel in this journey we call life. I’m confident that her future will be bright, which will enrich our whole family's life."