Consistently, my aim is to channel my upcoming transfers towards acquiring livestock and further enhancing my business operations to increase my income. The profits from the business will serve to support my family, while the livestock investments will provide a reliable source of income even after the conclusion of financial assistance. This ensures I have a dependable asset to generate funds for educating my five children. I am profoundly grateful for the positive impact the financial support from the transfers has had on my children's education.

Operating a small business centered on buying and selling hens for profit in the market, I have witnessed a remarkable transformation since joining GiveDirectly. Previously struggling, my business is now flourishing following strategic investments. Over the past three months, I allocated $34 towards acquiring ten hens, yielding substantial returns upon their sale. Additionally, I directed $51 towards purchasing two goats, recognizing the long-term potential for wealth generation as they multiply. This strategic investment ensures a sustainable income even beyond the five-year period of financial aid. Moreover, I settled $15 in school fee arrears for my five children, ensuring their uninterrupted education. I'm delighted that, unlike before, they are no longer sent home due to outstanding debts, allowing them to learn without disruptions. To meet the needs of my family of seven, I also purchased sugar for $2. The invaluable financial support from the transfers has contributed significantly to my newfound financial stability, for which I am deeply grateful.

As the festive season draws near, I am looking forward to utilizing my upcoming transfers to buy new clothes for my children and to mark the joyous occasion of Christmas. Additionally, I have a strong desire to allocate a portion of the funds towards further investment in livestock. This strategy aims to create a sustainable source of income that will endure beyond the conclusion of the financial assistance. I am truly grateful for the ongoing financial support, which has significantly improved my quality of life and opened up avenues for future security and prosperity.

As both my husband and I work as casual laborers, our primary source of income comes from selling charcoal. Typically, we earn $5 for each sack of charcoal sold, and on average, we are able to sell no more than four bags in a month. Unfortunately, these earnings are insufficient to meet our family's needs. Given our financial circumstances, I decided to invest $50 in purchasing livestock, particularly goats. I am hopeful that the goats will breed and multiply, providing us with a valuable asset for the future, offering a potential source of quick cash if needed. During periods when charcoal sales were slow, I allocated $18 to purchase food for our family, ensuring that our basic needs were met. Additionally, I used $34 to clear the school fee debts of my five children, who had been sent home due to outstanding fee balances. I am relieved to have settled these debts, allowing my children to continue their education without any financial burdens. The support we have received has played a crucial role in improving our financial stability. It has empowered me to make investments for the future and has alleviated immediate financial pressures. I am grateful for the assistance, which has been instrumental in reshaping our lives for the better.

My lifelong goal is to attain financial stability and provide for my children's education. The cash transfers have presented an excellent opportunity to start a sustainable income-generating activity. I plan to continue saving from the next transfers to buy more goats for rearing. By the time the cash transfers conclude, I aspire to expand my goat herd from four to fifteen. I am confident that this dream will become a reality.

My husband and I both rely on burning charcoal to provide for our six children. However, the income from this activity is meager, making it impossible to meet all our household needs, including food and school fees. Our children often miss school due to unpaid arrears, and there are times when our family goes to bed hungry due to financial constraints. To improve our situation, I am determined to create a source of wealth by raising livestock. This way, even after the cash transfers end, I can sell some of the animals to support my family's needs. With $25 from the recent transfer, I purchased a goat to support this venture, and I am pleased to share that I now have a total of four goats. I used $5 to clear tuition debts for three of my children, ensuring they can study without interruption. The remaining amount was used to buy more food for the family.

My primary goal for the year's end is to have a substantial goat herd, which will serve as the foundation of my livestock-selling enterprise. Despite having productive land, my ability to make a living through crop cultivation is hindered by severe weather conditions. Consequently, my solution is to purchase and sell livestock at a considerable profit margin, enabling me to support my children by providing them with food and paying for their education

My spouse and I rely on the production and sale of charcoal as our primary source of income. We have a total of six children, which makes it challenging to provide for their needs, especially when it comes to food, due to our limited income. It pains me when I cannot afford to buy food for my children, and I dislike it when they have to go to our neighbors to ask for food. Therefore, when I receive my monthly transfer, I allocate a significant portion of it to buy food for my family. Recently, I spent $10 on a sack of maize, which will be sufficient to feed us for two weeks. Furthermore, I purchased a goat for $24, which I view as an investment. I am optimistic that the goat will reproduce in the coming months, resulting in a profitable return on my initial investment. I plan to use this income to support my family in the future when I am no longer receiving monthly transfers.

In our culture, owning livestock means being wealthy and earning respect from members of the community. Three years ago, I lost all the livestock because of the effects of the drought. All the investment and wealth I accumulated for over twenty years went down the drain. This was the beginning of my troubles as I could not provide for my family's needs (paying school fees, buying food, and medication). Currently, I make and sell charcoal within the village. I earn very little enough to buy food for the family. When I received my transfer, I bought a goat. Buying the goat will help me start over by investing for the future and creating wealth once the goat multiplies.

In my opinion, GiveDirectly is doing well in helping the less fortunate individual in our society with the cash tranfer. Furthermore, I was allowed to decide how to use the cash compared to other material aid. I do not see anything that it does not do well.

The transfer came at a time when my elder son who was in secondary school was sent home for fees. I spent KES 2000 to pay part of the fee arrears and he was able to resume studies. Similarly, I used 500 to pay fees for the 5 children who are in primary school. With the remaining amount, I bought food for the family since I did not have any food at that moment. I am planning to use the next transfer to start poultry farming by purchasing 2 hens for the beginning.

I was sitting outside my house engulfed in thoughts on how to raise money and pay school fees for my son. My phone vibrated and after checking it, I realized I had received my first transfer. I jumped up and down while shouting at the top of my voice. My son who was in the house came out of the house to inquire why I was happy. I shared the good news and with him and we both smiled.

The transfer hugely impacted my life and that of my children. I was going through a hard time financially and could not pay school fees or buy food for my children. I am relieved that they are all in school, continuing with their education with no interruptions.

My husband and I are casual laborers earning a living through the sale of charcoal. The business is not doing well because of low demand. Our clients opt to use readily available and cheap energy, such as firewood. We have struggled to provide food and pay school fees for our four children. My eldest son spent two weeks at home after being sent home to pick school fees. I did not have money to send him back to school, and he had to wait for me to sell charcoal. Luckily I received my first transfer and paid school fee arrears of KES 1000 for him to resume his studies. I also paid fees of KES 1200 for my other three children who are in primary school, so they won’t be chased away from school. Finally, I bought food at KES 800 for the family. We have been surviving on one meal a day for the past two months because of the struggles we face in selling the charcoal.