"Being the sole provider for my family of six children since my spouse passed away, life hasn't been easy. Looking ahead, my main focus for the coming year and beyond is to kickstart a goat rearing project to help sustain us. I've already begun saving within our community savings group for this endeavor. As I have school-going children, I plan to sell some of the goats once they multiply, using the proceeds to cover my children's school fees. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for their financial support, which has been instrumental in helping me navigate these challenging times and work towards securing a better future for my family."

"My husband and I are both farmers, and our main economic activity is farming. We rely entirely on it for everything. After receiving my third transfer, I used $370 to plant tomatoes because they grow well here and have a ready market. From their harvest, I expect to earn enough to pay for my children's school fees and cover our family's basic needs.We have eight children in school, so I decided to use the remaining $80 to buy a television for them. During school holidays, they can keep themselves entertained by watching TV. This was a dream come true because my kids used to ask for a TV so the neighbor's children wouldn't tease them anymore. Our life has greatly improved; we now live comfortably like others, and my children are very happy to have a TV like their friends. I always wondered how I could achieve this, but financial instability was a major obstacle. Thanks to GiveDirectly, I am very grateful for the support."

"GiveDirectly has brought so many amazing things into my life, and I am very appreciative because I have obtained things I could not have afforded on my own. I am very happy with the way you include everyone in this program without discrimination. If you have anything more to offer, we would still welcome it gratefully. As you continue with your projects, please maintain your unique and wonderful approach."

"In the next few months, I'm determined to make a significant change in our lives. My plan is straightforward: I aim to purchase a full set of equipment for a barber shop, all for my son. Currently, he's struggling with unemployment, and I see this as a way to provide him with a solid foundation. It's not just about giving him a job; it's about giving him something he can rely on, something that will empower him to take charge of his own future. I firmly believe that by investing in his potential, not only will he gain financial independence, but he'll also be in a position to support me and the family. This isn't just a goal; it's a step towards creating a brighter, more stable future for us all."

"In the coming months, my main aim is to keep investing in livestock, particularly goats. They're like a safety net for me, especially when faced with any financial challenges on my homestead. I've learned that goats thrive in my compound, and they offer significant support in various ways. With their ability to adapt to different environments and their resilience, I trust they'll serve me well in the long run. By continuing to expand my goat herd, I'm not just securing a source of income but also ensuring a level of stability for myself and my family. With each goat I acquire, I'm one step closer to achieving a sense of financial security and peace of mind for the future."

"In the coming year and beyond, my main goal is to buy another ox to complete the pair since, for now, I only have one. This is something I've been planning for a while, and I hope to achieve it in the next few months. Having a pair of oxen will significantly enhance my agricultural activities, making tasks like ploughing the farm much more efficient and less time-consuming. Currently, with just one ox, the workload is heavy, and progress is slow. But with two, I believe I can double my productivity and possibly even expand my farming operations. This change will not only improve my farming but also bring more stability and income to my household. I am dedicated to saving up from my current earnings to make this purchase, as I know it will be a pivotal step toward a more prosperous future for my family and me. The addition of another ox will transform our agricultural practices, increase our yield, and ultimately lead to better living conditions for all of us."

"I spent $70 from my first transfer to plow my land, which I hadn't planned on because I lacked the capital. I was almost too late, but thanks to GiveDirectly, I was able to do it. I spent an additional $45 to buy fodder seeds and plant my farm. On my other two-acre land, I had planted maize but didn't have money for weeding or herbicides, which was affecting the crops. With the transfer, I bought herbicides for $15 and dealt with the weeds, and now my maize is doing better. I also bought a mattress for $50 for my children, as they were using a worn-out one. I spent the remaining on food. We had been depending on charcoal production and casual jobs, but now, my husband and I are focusing on our crops. Thanks to GiveDirectly, we are looking forward to moving away from casual jobs and charcoal production when we successfully harvest our crops."

"My kitchen garden has always been open, and I had never planted anything until now due to exposure to livestock roaming around. After fencing it, I started by planting millet and am planning to plant vegetables and fruits next. My other piece of land, which used to be bare and bushy, is now filled with green fodder crops. I planted grass there, fulfilling my long-term dream. This would not have been possible without GiveDirectly's support. Thank you, GiveDirectly!"

"I do farming as a means of living, enabling me to raise my two children and my two younger siblings. I was previously leasing half an acre, but the third transfer allowed me to increase it to one acre of land for $100 and spend $250 to prepare and plant maize crops. These crops gave me so much hope of getting money to lease more acres of land next year and increase my income. I envisioned a better future for my family, with the ability to comfortably provide for my children’s education and well-being. Sadly, my hope was shattered by the heavy rains we received last month. The rains caused Lake Baringo to break its banks, flooding the farm and destroying the crops that I was holding dear. I feel so devastated and do not know where to start again. Seeing all my hard work washed away has been disheartening, and it’s been difficult to come to terms with this loss. Additionally, I used $50 to revamp the house I had built using the second transfer, adding three plastic chairs and a table that we didn't have before. I feel a deep sense of joy that my children can now sit on chairs and have a table to place food on, unlike before when they had to sit on the ground. I used the remaining amount to buy food items for my family, such as maize and sugar, which provided us with much-needed sustenance."

"When I received the third transfer, I sat down with my spouse to plan carefully, knowing it would be our last. Our two children in secondary school needed money for their fees, so I used $150 to pay for part of their education, showing the school our commitment and determination. This ensured that our children could stay in school without interruptions. I plan to pay the remaining amount from my savings from my food-hawking business. I allocated $100 to prepare and plant maize on our two acres, which was crucial as we heavily depended on the harvest to fund our children's education. Unfortunately, heavy rains caused Lake Baringo to flood, destroying our crops. I had high hopes for 25 sacks of maize per acre, and seeing those hopes washed away was heartbreaking. I felt so bad about it, but there was nothing I could do. When the water recedes, I will gather my energy again, hoping to find the capital to replant. Additionally, I used $140 to improve my small eatery by replacing rusted, leaking iron sheets and adding more food stock. This made the eatery look better and more appealing to customers. Lastly, I used the remaining amount to buy new clothes for myself. With them, I looked presentable at functions, replacing my old and outdated wardrobe. It felt wonderful to finally have decent clothes and feel confident in social settings."