"My focus is on wealth creation through livestock rearing. I am pleased to have initiated this endeavor with the acquisition of two goats from previous cash transfers. I believe that building a herd of goats will provide me with the means to sell them and meet the needs of my four children. Since the passing of their father, I have been grappling with the challenges of sustaining them through casual jobs such as charcoal making. Livestock represents a tangible relief from these persistent hardships. Every month, I diligently save $20 through a self-help group, to use these savings solely for the purchase of goats once the club dissolves early next year."

"I am a widow residing with my two grandchildren, and we depend on small-scale farming with additional support from my lastborn son. This year, we faced considerable challenges due to a drought that adversely affected our harvest. The financial assistance from GiveDirectly has been a true blessing, bringing positive changes to our lives. I allocated $100 towards the purchase of food items, particularly maize, ensuring that we have a substantial and reliable food supply for the coming months. This has provided a sense of food security and relieved the financial burden on my son, who has his own family to care for. Additionally, I purchased a cow valued at $135. With hopes that it will calve next year, this investment holds the promise of a sustainable source of milk for domestic use, reducing the daily expense of buying milk. This will alleviate the associated stress, considering my lack of a regular source of income and my dependence on my son. Prioritizing personal needs, I used $40 to buy new clothes for myself, supplementing the old garments that I had and making me feel presentable, especially during church gatherings. Moreover, I directed the remaining funds towards covering my medical expenses. Dealing with arthritis has been a long-standing challenge, impacting my mobility and daily life. Although I have not fully recovered, I am grateful for the noticeable improvement, including the ability to take a few steps—a positive change from before. I am truly grateful."

"GiveDirectly has made a significant positive impact by providing support through unconditional cash transfers. I am particularly pleased with the fairness of the enrollment process, appreciating that it did not discriminate based on age. I was fortunate enough to be selected as a recipient, and the financial assistance has proven invaluable. Since receiving the transfer, I have experienced a notable improvement in my well-being. The ability to purchase food has been a game-changer, especially considering my previous struggles to afford even a single meal per day. Relying on the support of only two children, who themselves face financial challenges, made my situation quite difficult. This contributed to a boost in my overall energy level, as I feel healthier and stronger. I am genuinely grateful for the positive impact this support has had on my life."

"Upon receiving the second transfer, I incorporated my son's help in withdrawing a part of it, and together, we bought materials to construct a new kitchen. Adding to the first 8 iron sheets purchased earlier, I bought an additional 6 sheets for $63, roofing nails for $5, and window mesh for $3. My previous kitchen had collapsed due to weak poles destroyed by termites, so I am glad to initiate the construction of a new one. After spending $10 on transporting the materials home, I have paid a construction cost of $20 and have another $20 pending as per our agreement with the constructor. I also purchased foodstuffs, including 1 sack of maize for $40, beans for $5, a carton of milk for $6, and sugar worth $10, which I am still using since I live alone. Currently, I have $48 in cash and $25 saved in my Mpesa account, and I intend to use it to buy at least 3 goats once the currently high prices drop. This support has allowed me to address immediate needs and plan for a more sustainable future."

"In the upcoming year and beyond, my plan is to construct a new house after demolishing the old one. To maintain cleanliness in the new dwelling, I aspire to build a separate kitchen, providing a space for cooking even during rainy seasons without any interference from the rain. Additionally, I am keen on investing in goat farming to add to the two goats I already own. The ease of goat farming is particularly easy, given the vast land with abundant feed for the goats. With the intention of expanding the herd, I aim to purchase more goats, leveraging their breeding capabilities. As they multiply, selling the offspring will serve as a sustainable income source, helping cover household bills and contributing to the overall well-being of my family. This dual approach to housing improvement and goat farming reflects my commitment to creating a comfortable living environment and establishing a reliable source of income at our old age."

"For a considerable time, I have endured living in a makeshift structure with rusted iron sheets and improvised walls made from various materials, enduring cold nights and challenging rainy seasons. The first and second transfers have been instrumental in my journey towards realizing the construction of a new house. Utilizing the second transfer, I purchased 10 iron sheets for $130, including nails, bringing the total to 15 sheets. Although construction hasn't commenced as I am still searching for an expert, I am optimistic about completing it soon. I also bought a $42 sack of maize for my family of two and settled a $100 debt with a neighbor. Additionally, I allocated $15 as a deposit for my son's circumcision rites and spent $6 on transporting construction materials. Prioritizing my family's needs, I spent $12 on clothes, including a pair for my son. Currently, I have $90 saved to cover upcoming expenses and ensure a smoother transition into our new home once construction is underway."

"Amidst my current commitments, my primary focus is on expanding my goat herd, which currently stands at 16. Despite juggling various responsibilities, such as school fees and the completion of a stalled house, I am determined to save from both my robe-making and selling business and charcoal production endeavors. These savings will be directed towards acquiring more goats. I find goat farming particularly advantageous due to the vast available grazing land and the goats' resilience to drought compared to cows. Through the offspring of these goats, I aspire to secure a sustainable source of income to cover future school fees and tuition expenses for my children. This strategic approach to goat farming aligns with my long-term financial goals, ensuring a steady and reliable means of meeting educational expenses."

"We spent $415 building a one-room house for my growing son thanks to GiveDirectly transfers.Due to its complexion, I always felt guilty about sharing a roof with my son; I thought it was immoral. I also spent $35 on some kitchen utensils since I didn't have sufficient of them. I figured it was a good idea to buy two goats with my $80 because they breed quickly and do well in this area. Lastly, I use the remaining money to buy food for my children as compared to the past, when I worked irregular jobs that paid poorly, I'm glad that my kids now have enough food."

"The motorcycle that my son and I contributed to purchase is intended for business use and ought to generate some income for us. With this, I have guaranteed myself a daily income and won't even have to worry about running out of food or money to take care of myself. I want to be active and productive, not just idle around the house, which is why I plan to get goats. For that reason, my goals for the upcoming year and beyond are to tend to my animals as they flourish and to enjoy the few years I have left enjoying my income and good sleep in my new bed"

"My husband doesn’t have his own piece of land, and we therefore live on his grandparents’ land. Our dream has always been to own a piece of land we can call home, and if anything happens to us, our two sons will have a place they own as their home, but we could not realize this as we both did not have a stable source of income. We are manual laborers on people's farms, which is also seasonal. My parents, on the other hand, were on the verge of taking me back home because my husband had not yet paid any dowry. I love my husband so much, and the thought of me being sent back home was really depressing. GiveDirectly came to our rescue and made our dreams come true. They swept us off our depressing issues, and this was so overwhelming. On the second transfer, I spent $320 and completed paying for a ½-acre piece of land in our village, and I am hopeful that soon enough we will move to our own home. I gave my husband $100 for the dowry payment because I did not want to go back to my parents. I also spent $30 on a she goat to add on to the two goats that I already have. It is believed that the breed that I bought gives birth twice a year. I am therefore hopeful that they will multiply so that I can sell some of them to pay school fees for my children and invest in business. The rest of the transfer went into food and savings."