We started irrigation farming, growing corn and vegetables for sale using the first cash transfers.. I bought two she goats with the second cash, bought a sewing machine, and materials. I also repaired the roof of my house. Unconditional cash enabled my family to have goats, irrigation farm and a tailoring business. However, if you could give this cash more than once , it could enable us achieve more sustainable projects.

This situation has been catalyzed by the fact that even with our huge family size, we are all fully dependent on my husband, who works as a driver earning $160 per month, which is insufficient to meet our daily primary needs. To change this situation, the plans for the second transfer were pretty clear. First and foremost, after we received our second transfer in December 2025, as farmers, we purchased a generator worth $180 that would assist us with irrigating our two-acre farm along the river Galana. This would eliminate the huge cost we incur of hiring at $4 per day, which at the time would have been difficult to raise that amount, leading to our crops dying, thus getting low yields. This will also relieve the burden of us fully depending on my husband's current job as a driver, thus making it possible to meet some of our basic needs. Secondly, we purchased three goats worth $195, which would serve as a future investment for my family, especially for my kids, who are a long way from completing their education. With the failed Oct-Nov-Dec short rains and a lack of funds to irrigate our farm along the river Galana, lack of food had always been one of the major problems we faced in 2025. These funds offered an opportunity to get out of the problem since we used $102.5 from the second transfer to purchase foodstuffs. This brought happiness into my family since we never went to bed hungry. With January 2026 in mind, I knew my five children would be going back to school and having settled their school fees with a part of the first transfers, school uniforms were something on my mind. My children's school uniforms were not in good condition. It felt like they were orphans. I couldn't imagine seeing them going back to school in January 2026 with poor school uniforms. We allocated $4.5 into buying two pairs of school uniforms for each child. They now go to school happy, and as a parent, I feel proud. Words can't explain how thankful I am to the organisation and donor, but this changed my home and life for the better. Thank you.

m. when I received my first transfer. My children were also at the homestead playing. When the message came in, I was overwhelmed with excitement, and I immediately called my husband to tell him the news. The very first thought that crossed my mind was finally completing our house, which had stalled for a long time due to lack of finances. It felt like a new beginning.

In our community, many young girls face so many challenges—some get pregnant while still in school and others drop out to get married. In her class alone, two girls became pregnant while one got married before finishing the year. So, having my daughter complete junior secondary without a baby or a husband is something that fills me with deep pride as a parent. She has shown strength, focus, and determination despite everything happening around her. Now, I’m working hard to save whatever I can for her senior secondary schooling next year because I truly believe in her.

My husband and I depend on casual jobs such as washing clothes and fetching water for neighbours. These jobs are hard to get. As a result, most of the time, I lack food for my family of 3. This leads to difficulty producing more milk for my 1 yr old daughter. Hence, I watch my baby crying helplessly because she is hungry. A situation that is shameful.

I had taken them to a dam to drink, and I dozed off, unfortunately. When I woke up, they were gone, and I searched everywhere without any luck. I even reported the incident to the authorities, but I had lost hope. But recently, I got a call from my area chief saying that my goats had been found and were being kept safe. I was overjoyed! It felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I eventually sold them off and used the money to buy a plot of land.

I am sure these funds will play a key role in alleviation the suffering I have endured since 2018 I left my maternal home and got married to Michael. These funds will bring so much joy equivalent to a mother safely delivering a bouncing baby boy. A huge load of burden would be off our shoulders. I can't even express how grateful our family would be. This would be a turning point for us and a change of fortunes. This program is heaven-sent. After the community sensitisation meeting in September this year, my husband and I laid out a clear plan on how we could utilise the funds to change our lives for the better. We laid out five top agenda items for the funds First and foremost, education being key to success, we plan to allocate $10 to pay our children's fees and other educational expenses. The thought of my children failing not complete their education will be off my hook. We have always been worried for years about our children's education with reference to our source of income, that is charcoal burning. We have always been worried about them completing their education. GiveDirectly funds would take the worry away. Secondly, we plan to purchase 5 goats worth $150. The goats would serve as a future investment for me and my family since we have no other investment plan for the future. On top of purchasing goats to serve as future investment, we plan to boost our income by starting a dry fish-selling business. I know $100 would be enough for that and that will significantly improve our family's financial situation. Our sleeping environment is very poor, we spend the nights on the floor. Imagine, all the cold nights, it kills us. We ķplan to purchase a new bed and a mattress worth $150. When you were going into my house as part of what you do during enrollment, I felt ashamed of my sleeping area. Last but not least, these funds would provide us with the opportunity to lease land for agriculture. A dream over six years in the making. This would significantly boost our food security situation and make us food secure. Having something to take in as food would improve my children's health condition thus boosting their immune system.

I depend on a vegetable kiosk, which earns me USD 2 a day. My husband is not working. He was recently diagnosed with a disease, which has affected his lower abdomen. His condition has led to him being unable to walk. Hence, leaving me as the sole privider of the household. Cosequently, I am forced to do all sorts of casual jobs. there times, I work at a nearby quarry breaking stones, which we sell at USD35 per truck. All the wages go to the child who is pursuing a medical course. Sometimes, I feel scared to pick her calls, thinking that she needs money for her upkeep. Getting meals is also a challenge. In fact, my family of 4 eats once a day, a situation that pains my heart.

This problem causes sleepless nights, especially as I try to support my family of seven. Regarding my four children’s education, I have been unable to support them consistently for at least a full term. In three months, they only attend school for about one month. Watching them desperate at home is my deepest pain. Additionally, we sleep in a small house with no decent bedding, which adds to my sorrow as a mother. I never feel at peace, and I am always stressed.

Since then, I have been walking on crutches and can no longer fend for my family as I used to. It has not been easy watching my wife take on hard, casual jobs at the quarry just so that we can have something to eat. I have seen her come home exhausted and covered in dust, yet still smiling for the sake of our children. Life has been full of challenges, and there are days we go to bed worried about what tomorrow will bring. But through it all, I remain thankful. I am especially grateful to the Government of Kenya for the Inua Jamii program, which has truly brought hope into our lives. Each month, when I receive the transfer, I feel a deep sense of relief and joy knowing that I can finally provide for my family of five despite my condition.