"My goal in the coming year and beyond is to use my subsequent transfers to purchase livestock, particularly goats. I believe that rearing livestock can lead me to financial freedom, as goats have the ability to multiply quickly. This will allow me to grow my herd and eventually sell some in the future to generate income. With farming becoming increasingly unreliable due to harsh climatic conditions, I see livestock rearing as a more dependable path to financial stability. I am confident that this approach will help secure my financial future, even beyond the five years of financial support. I am truly appreciative of the financial assistance, which is helping me improve my life and work towards my goals."

"The transfer has made a significant difference in our lives, especially regarding our house and food situation. Before the transfer, we were living in a temporary tent because our home had been destroyed by floods. Now, with the transfer, we were able to demolish the old house and build a new, one-room shelter that provides us with much-needed security. Regarding food, the situation was dire after losing our maize crops. We struggled to obtain food, relying heavily on charcoal production and casual jobs. The transfer allowed us to buy enough food to meet our needs, reducing the stress and uncertainty about our daily meals. Thank you, God. Without your support, I don’t know what I would have done."

"I was at home doing housework when I heard a message notification. It confirmed that I had received money from a name I didn’t recognize. At first, my husband and I thought it might be a mistake, but the amount matched what we were promised by GiveDirectly. We then confirmed with our neighbors that our suspicion was correct; we had indeed received the money from GiveDirectly. We were overjoyed. Thank you, GiveDirectly!"

"For the longest time, I had wanted a sofa but could never afford one. I admired sofas in other people’s homes, but my priorities and income never allowed me to save up for one. Now, I finally have it. During the day, when I’m tired, I can comfortably lie on my sofa. I still can’t believe I have it. Thank you, GiveDirectly!"

"We have two children in high school, a girl and a boy—one in boarding school and the other in day school. Their fee arrears had accumulated to $160. When we received the transfer, we were delighted to reduce their arrears by $50. We sent them back to school with only $30 between them and promised to pay the remaining balance later, though raising the funds was challenging since I rely on charcoal and my husband on fishing, which limits our income. Additionally, recently floods destroyed our household items, including utensils, clothes, and mattresses. With the transfer, we spent about $70 to buy a mattress, some clothes, and utensils. Relocating to a new temporary house felt like starting life from scratch, and food was no exception. We spent $60 on food, including a variety of items like maize, beans, rice, and others. For our young children, milk, which had been a special treat for them as they rarely get it, was especially enjoyed this time. Thank you, GiveDirectly."

"The moment I received my first transfer was one I'll never forget. It was a Sunday, and I had just come back from church with my neighbor. As we were walking home, a message notification came through our phones. We were both overjoyed to discover that we had both received the transfer, and we felt that this was truly a blessing from God and a special coincidence, especially considering the timing. My first thought was of my children—I could finally build them a proper house. I am very thankful to GiveDirectly."

"It was a delightful Sunday. I was attending a women’s group meeting, discussing our plans, when my phone suddenly vibrated. Checking the notification, I saw it was an M-Pesa message. Excitement surged through me as I stepped away from the noise to make a call and share the good news with my husband. He was equally thrilled but suggested we discuss our private matters when I got home. Once I arrived, we sat down together and immediately used $60 to pay my son's school fees, ensuring he could continue his education without the risk of being sent home."

"After a long and exhausting day on the farm, I was so tired that I collapsed under my favorite tree to rest. There was no one at home to prepare lunch because my wife had gone to a prayer event for one of our neighbor’s children. Just as I was about to doze off, a message popped up on my phone. At first, I thought it was just a regular M-Pesa alert, but the sender was listed as Xegofia Technology Kenya, not GiveDirectly.Curious and a bit doubtful, I decided to visit a nearby center to check if anyone else had received a similar message. To my surprise, the center was buzzing with excitement. People were shouting and laughing joyfully. I joined the celebration, and we all went to a local hotel for tea.When my wife arrived home in the evening, she asked if I had received any money. I told her yes, and we sat down as a family to discuss our plans. I gave her the opportunity to decide how to use the funds, as I believe women are excellent decision-makers. She suggested that we first purchase a solar panel so our children would have light to do their homework."

"About six years ago, my wife and I separated, and she took our two children with her. Although the children live with her, I am responsible for paying their school fees. I have been struggling to plant Kenyan seeds and use the proceeds to cover their fees and ensure I have food at home. After receiving this cash, I used $60 to pay for school fees since I hadn’t sold anything that term because my farm was swept away by floods. To ensure I have something to invest in and sell in case of an emergency, I decided to use $50 to purchase a goat. When it gives birth, I will use the milk and sell it if needed.Additionally, I had been sleeping on a traditional bed made of sticks. Although I was comfortable with it, I wanted to have something more like what my friends and neighbors have, so I spent $50 on a new bed. With the remaining amount, I bought food to stock up at home, ensuring that while I continue burning charcoal, I have something to eat without having to borrow from shops."

"My husband is a boda boda rider, earning about $3 per day, which we primarily relied on for food. I also work as a charcoal burner to support him if he doesn’t get enough customers. When we received the cash, we decided to invest $100 in purchasing watermelon seeds. We planned to plant them when the water on our land receded. We chose this investment because watermelon yields high income, and the market is readily available. Before receiving this cash, we didn’t have a toilet or bathroom, so I used $80 to buy iron sheets to start constructing one. When I receive the second transfer, I will complete the construction, which will allow us to take showers and use the toilet in privacy, rather than relying on the bushes as we do now.With the remaining $20, I purchased food to stock up at home, which helps us avoid buying small amounts every day."