"It was around 3:00 PM, and I was in my two-acre maize field, protecting it from roaming goats. Floods had previously destroyed much of the maize, leaving me with only about 0.5 acres, and I was determined not to lose that to the goats. Suddenly, my phone buzzed. I immediately checked my inbox to see the new SMS. To my surprise, it was a Mpesa message indicating that I had received $200 from GiveDirectly. Overwhelmed with joy, I left the field and headed home. On the way, I shared the news with my neighbour, who also informed me she had received her transfer. We were both very happy. Thank you, GiveDirectly!"

"In the coming years and beyond, I plan to focus on farming maize and tomatoes on my two acres of land. I intend to put in more effort to ensure I have the necessary farm inputs to maximize production. My goal is to produce enough food for my children's consumption and to sell the surplus. By selling the extra produce, I aim to save for their future education, especially since my older child will soon be entering secondary school, where I will need to pay tuition. This strategy will ensure that my children have access to the education they need."

"Managing the school fees for my daughter in grade 10 has become a real challenge for me. To make ends meet, I find myself taking up casual jobs where I earn just $4 a day. This amount barely covers our basic food needs for our family of three. On top of this, my son completed his grade 12 exams a year ago and has dreams of joining a Kenya forestry training program. Unfortunately, I have not been able to gather the $700 tuition fee required for him to enroll, so he has been stuck at home. It pains me deeply to see him unable to pursue his dream simply because of financial constraints. I remain hopeful that with persistence and the right support, I can find a way to provide both my children with the opportunities they deserve."

"I currently live in a two-room house with six of my children. At night, four of them go to sleep at their grandmother's house. My goal is to build a separate house for my children. I envision a two-room structure where my daughters will have their own rooms and my sons will have theirs as well. To achieve this, I plan to use the transfers to purchase building materials such as sticks, metal sheets, and sand. Although I am currently unemployed, I manage our livestock and believe that with careful saving from these transfers, I can accomplish this goal. It will bring immense joy to our family to have a home where each child has their own space, fostering comfort and privacy for everyone."

"I am both a teacher and a student pursuing a Diploma in teaching to advance my education. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for providing me with the opportunity to further my studies. Next year, in April, I will be sitting for my Diploma exams. In addition to my studies, I have plans to invest in livestock and poultry. Currently, I do not have any, but I aim to start by purchasing small chicks. As they multiply, I intend to sell them and eventually acquire goats. I plan to use the August transfers to purchase chickens and goats. My goal is to build up a substantial livestock and poultry base so that my family and I can become more self-sufficient without facing significant challenges. This investment will contribute to our long-term stability and independence."

"I used to raise goats until my two children needed to attend secondary school. To afford their education, I had to sell eight of my goats. Now, thanks to transfers from GiveDirectly, I have one goat that I bought in July 2024. My goal before the year ends is to purchase three to four more goats. I believe in investing in goats because they can multiply easily and are simple to sell. They also offer flexibility, as I can exchange them for dairy cows. With cows, I can increase my income by selling milk and using some for our family. With my current business of selling dried sisal and the additional income from transfers, I am confident I can save enough to expand my goat herd as planned. This investment will not only secure my family's future but also provide opportunities for growth and stability."

"My goal in the coming year and beyond is to purchase more livestock. I currently have two goats and a bull. I acquired the bull through barter trade, exchanging four goats for it. During the rainy season, the bull will help me plow my land. Additionally, I will earn some income by offering plowing services to others. My goal is to get another bull through a similar exchange. I am happy with the financial support I have received so far, which has helped me improve my life."

"I have two children in high school who depend on me, and I currently have no source of income. I used to rely on farming, but recent floods submerged my 2-acre maize plantation just as the maize was flowering. Additionally, my son and I planted 1 acre of tomatoes, but they were also destroyed by the floods. These challenges are severely affecting us."

"Living with my family of 6 in a single room is distressing. Our house, made of mud, poses risks during rainy weather. I struggle with insufficient funds to build a safer home for us. Relying on occasional casual labor jobs that pay a mere USD 2.3 per day is overwhelming, as this amount is inadequate to provide for essential needs like food for my family."

"We experienced an abnormal heavy rainfall 2 months ago which has resulted in rising levels of Lake Baringo. The water body has since found its way into the village displaced our farms, submerging maize plantations thus causing a shortage of food. Over this month I have had to sell my livestock to educate my 7 children and provide food for my family of 10. I am worried because this is not sustainable and will sink me into poverty."