"I have always viewed livestock as some of the most valuable assets in my community, and I’ve experienced firsthand the benefits of raising them, particularly goats and poultry. As a widow with four children in school, one of whom is in college, these animals have become a lifeline for me, allowing me to sell them when I need to generate funds for their education. Before I joined the program, I had a few sheep and goats left after selling some to pay for my son’s college. With my first transfer, I was able to add three goats and two turkeys to my herd. I’m hopeful that these new additions will help me rebuild my livestock and support my younger children's school fees. Owning livestock has truly made a significant difference in my life, and I am happy for the additions."

"I woke up bright and early to get my children ready for school, reaching for my phone to use its flashlight since the morning light hadn’t quite arrived yet. As I navigated through my notifications, I stumbled upon an Mpesa alert that caught my eye—it was a message letting me know I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. This delightful news instantly lifted my spirits, and I felt a wave of happiness wash over me as I began my day. I was eager to dive into my plans, which were now within reach thanks to this financial boost."

"I have been selling charcoal in town to support my family. However, despite my efforts and investment, the business has not been as profitable as I had hoped. To supplement my income from charcoal sales, I decided to start a tailoring business, which I believe will help increase my earnings. I purchased a sewing machine for $400 and spent an additional $100 on textile materials to stock my tailoring shop. Since I lack adequate tailoring skills and I'm also advanced in age, I plan to hire someone to assist in the shop. With the increased income I expect from this new venture, I believe it will be easier to sustain myself and my family, making it less challenging to meet our basic needs."

"I have been selling charcoal in town to support my family. However, despite my efforts and investment, the business has not been as profitable as I had hoped. To supplement my income from charcoal sales, I decided to start a tailoring business, which I believe will help increase my earnings. I purchased a sewing machine for $400 and spent an additional $100 on textile materials to stock my tailoring shop. Since I lack adequate tailoring skills and I'm also advanced in age, I plan to hire someone to assist in the shop. With the increased income I expect from this new venture, I believe it will be easier to sustain myself and my family, making it less challenging to meet our basic needs."

"I spent $250 of my first transfer on spare parts for my husband's motorbike, which had broken down and was unsafe to ride. He uses the bike to provide taxi services for a living, helping to ensure that our family of four has its basic needs met, such as food. Unfortunately, it remained unused for several months, and my husband had to take on casual jobs since we couldn't afford the repairs. I'm glad that, with the transfer, we managed to fix the bike, and now it's back on the road, earning us daily income. Additionally, to supplement my husband's income, I invested $260 in a poultry project I am currently running. I purchased 14 iron sheets, poles, and mesh to build a chicken coop, where I can breed and house my chickens. So far, I have over 40 chickens, and I hope to increase their numbers and sell them, especially with the upcoming December festive season when demand is high. I used the remaining amount to buy food for my family, including maize flour, ensuring we had enough to eat. I also did some shopping for household items that we needed."

"I spent $250 of my first transfer on spare parts for my husband's motorbike, which had broken down and was unsafe to ride. He uses the bike to provide taxi services for a living, helping to ensure that our family of four has its basic needs met, such as food. Unfortunately, it remained unused for several months, and my husband had to take on casual jobs since we couldn't afford the repairs. I'm glad that, with the transfer, we managed to fix the bike, and now it's back on the road, earning us daily income. Additionally, to supplement my husband's income, I invested $260 in a poultry project I am currently running. I purchased 14 iron sheets, poles, and mesh to build a chicken coop, where I can breed and house my chickens. So far, I have over 40 chickens, and I hope to increase their numbers and sell them, especially with the upcoming December festive season when demand is high. I used the remaining amount to buy food for my family, including maize flour, ensuring we had enough to eat. I also did some shopping for household items that we needed."

"In the coming year and beyond, I am determined to focus on investing in goat farming to secure my future. I plan to continue saving $10 monthly at the merry-go-round group that we formed. As I accumulate the money, I will buy goats once my turn of getting the money reaches. The choice of goats over cows is a strategic one; goats are more affordable to acquire and maintain, making them an ideal investment for my current financial situation. My passion for goat farming fuels my drive, and with careful planning and consistent effort, I am confident that I will achieve my goals and create a thriving agricultural venture."

"The biggest challenge I grapple with is the lack of a steady income to support my family’s daily needs. Our survival hinges on casual labor, but when work is hard to come by, which is often, it becomes incredibly difficult to make ends meet. The scarcity of opportunities frequently leaves us with no choice but to go to bed hungry, as this is our primary means of sustenance."

"Before receiving the cash transfer, life was really tough. We were living hand to mouth, and as a cook at a nearby school, my earnings were barely enough to get by. Providing for my family felt like a constant struggle—some days, we couldn’t even afford a proper meal and had to skip it altogether. It was heartbreaking, especially knowing that my son’s education was also at risk because we couldn’t keep up with the school fees. After getting the money from GiveDirectly, everything changed. I was able to buy food items in bulk that lasted us over a month, which lifted such a huge weight off my shoulders. The money that we would have spent on food has now gone toward paying for my son's school fees, ensuring his education continues uninterrupted. We feel more at peace and happier as a family now—there’s less stress, more time to connect, and a renewed sense of hope for the future"

"I woke up that morning and realized my phone had run out of charge, so I plugged it in and switched it on around 9 a.m. That’s when I saw the message—money from GiveDirectly had been sent! I couldn’t believe it; I was so happy. The first thing I did was try to call my wife to share the news, but her phone was off, so I had to wait until I got home. When I finally told her, she lit up with joy. We had already discussed how we’d use any money that came our way—paying the children’s school fees and buying enough food for the house. This was going to make a real difference for us."