Currently, I own more than twenty chickens at my homestead. I have always had a passion for poultry farming, but the resources needed to start have been a challenge. As a result, I’ve been forced to keep the chickens at my mother-in-law's house since my house is too small, and I don’t have the funds to build a proper poultry shed. My goal now is to build a poultry shed for them. With this, I will have adequate space to house and monitor the chickens, especially as their numbers continue to grow day by day. I plan to use upcoming transfers and some financial support from my husband to purchase the materials needed to start construction. This shed will ensure that the chickens have a safe and secure space to thrive. It will also allow me to start a business selling poultry, providing a sustainable source of income. Once I succeed, I believe feeding my family will become much easier, as I will have a steady income to support us at the end of the day.

As soon as I received the cash transfer, I allocated $34 to cover school fees for my four children—two in secondary school and two in primary school. Over the years, they have struggled to stay in school consistently due to the hardships my husband and I have faced. Neither of us has stable jobs to meet our needs or pay school fees on time, which has made their education journey difficult. They were frequently sent home, which discouraged them and disrupted their motivation.However, things have improved since we started receiving cash transfers. I now make it a priority to settle their school arrears. This has significantly motivated them, and I can see the joy on their faces each morning. Their academic performance has also improved, which gives me even more hope for their future.In addition to supporting their education, I want to address another pressing need: our living situation. Our current two-room house is too small for the six of us, leaving us with little privacy. To start building a new house, I used another $34 to purchase some of the materials. My husband has promised to contribute as much as he can by buying additional materials to ensure we complete the house and create a more comfortable living environment.Finally, with Christmas around the corner, I used $34 to buy decent clothes for our two youngest children. I want them to feel special and look their best as we prepare to celebrate the holiday.

My primary goal for this year is to build a poultry shed to house my chickens. I am happy to report that I have accumulated over twenty chickens so far, thanks to the transfers, but I lack a proper space to keep all of them. I plan to use upcoming transfers and my savings to buy materials such as cement, iron sheets, and building poles. This will ensure that my poultry have a safe and secure space to thrive. I am deeply grateful for this assistance, as without it, I would not be where I am today. This support has made a significant difference in my life, and I am excited about the future and the opportunities it will bring.

I raise livestock while my husband operates a tricycle in town to support our family of six. Life was extremely difficult before because we could not afford basic necessities like food and clothing, and we did not have a stable income. GiveDirectly has been our lifeline with its steady transfers, and I am glad our circumstances have changed. We have been able to buy livestock and poultry, build our house, and send our children to school. From the transfers received, I used $68 to buy building poles and iron roofing sheets to repair a damaged section of our house. I then used $15 to pay school fees for my children, clearing a pending debt. The remaining amount was spent on three chickens to add to our existing stock. I am grateful for the assistance I have received so far and look forward to better things ahead.

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.

My five children have been stressed out for a while with the issue of school fees, and it weighed heavily on my heart. So, when I received the unconditional cash transfer, there was no question about where it would go first. Allocating $39 towards their education brought a sense of relief like no other. Witnessing them settle back into school without the burden of unpaid fees lifted a weight off my shoulders. With their education secured, I turned my attention to securing our future further. Investing in assets seemed like a wise choice, and so I purchased chickens to rear in our compound. These feathered creatures hold the promise of a stable income, providing a safety net for my family in uncertain times. Following this, I turned to our living situation. Our current home was barely holding together, and the dream of a new house had been lingering for far too long. Using a portion of the funds, I purchased some building materials, inching closer to completing our new house. The thought of a safe, stable home filled me with hope for the future. Lastly, I invested in my son's future by buying him a mirror. Intending to start a barbershop for him, this small gesture held the promise of financial independence and support for me in my later years. It was a decision made with both pride and anticipation, knowing that together we could build a brighter tomorrow.

My primary goal for this year is to complete the construction of my children's house. The current living space is inadequate, prompting the need for a more spacious house. I have already started the process by purchasing the necessary materials such as iron roofing sheets, and I am in the process of acquiring building poles. I intend to use upcoming transfers to fulfill this objective and am happy about the prospect of a prosperous and fulfilling year ahead.

I am involved in raising livestock on behalf of others as a means of earning a livelihood to support both myself and my six children. Meanwhile, my husband works as a tuk-tuk driver in Mombasa, but his income often falls short of meeting our family's needs. GiveDirectly has played a crucial role in facilitating my children's education, allowing for a more comfortable learning environment. Additionally, with the financial assistance received, I ventured into poultry farming, acquiring chickens. I allocated $29 of the funds for purchasing essential food and household items. An additional $5 was dedicated to acquiring medication for my husband, who was not feeling well at the time. Another $34 was dedicated to the purchase of four corrugated iron sheets, intended for building a more spacious house for my children, as our current residence is small and inadequate. Another $34 was directed towards settling a pending school fees debt for my children. I am grateful for the significant milestones I have achieved through this program, providing a positive impact on my family's well-being.

By the year's end, my paramount achievement will involve the construction of an additional room tailored to accommodate my children. Presently, three of my children are compelled to rely on the hospitality of relatives due to the cramped confines of our one-room dwelling. My strategy involves procuring iron sheets to serve as roofing material. The prospect of realizing this aspiration fills me with immense enthusiasm, envisioning a future where my entire family can share the same shelter and sleep under a single roof.

I generate a monthly income of $50 by raising livestock, while my husband works as a motorcycle taxi driver. Despite our efforts, our incomes are modest, leading to significant challenges in meeting our family's basic necessities. Our financial responsibilities encompass four school-going children who rely on us for support. Recently, I used $15 to settle a school fee debt for my eldest son, ensuring his return to primary school after a two-day absence. Witnessing him resume his education brings me immense joy and relief. Additionally, I allocated $6 to acquire three hens, a decision that holds strategic value for our future. As these hens multiply, my plan involves selling some to gradually transition into goats, known for their lucrative market value. This progression is expected to yield substantial profits. To address our immediate needs, I dedicated the remaining $13 to procure food for our family. Reflecting on our journey, significant advancements have materialized, particularly concerning our access to nourishment. Gone are the days of enduring hunger for extended periods. The support we've received, including financial assistance, has transformed our circumstances, for which I am profoundly thankful.

Giving disadvantaged communities unconditional cash transfers is the most significant task that Give Directly performs. The money has made it possible for me to feed my family better and keep my children in school. I believe that there are no flaws in anything the organization does. 

Three of my grandchildren had pending school fee balances by the time I received the transfer. Though the schools were closed, I saved $12 from the cash transfer to settle the deficit when they resume studies later this month. At least, am relieved that they will comfortably resume classes without worrying about the debt. Next, I spent $10 to buy two hens. Since I lack a source of income, I aim to let these chickens grow the flock and grant me financial security in the future. The rest of the money went towards the purchase of food. It had been three days since my family had consumed a decent meal. This is because my husband’s only source of income, his mini-bus, had been seized by the authorities, which hindered him from making money for food. Gladly, the cash transfer saved the situation and I am eternally grateful. 

It was around 4 pm, I was at home washing clothes for my family. I received a text message saying I have received money from the organization. I was overwhelmed with happiness. The first thing that come to my mind was to pay school fees arrears I had accumulated. I quickly sent $5 to the school via the phone. The rest of the money was spent on food. That evening I cooked tuna fish and ugali my children's favorite.

I can now pay school fees for my children without straining my husband, who is the breadwinner of the family. My husband is also happy that he gets to save money for rainy day. Earlier on, we would spend all his daily wage on food and school fees.

I recently started receiving this transfer. The first transfer I received was $12, I paid school fees for my children in grade five with $5. They had been sent home due to school fees arrears. I also bought three packets of maize flour for $7. I have six children, all in school, and I pay $3 per term for each child. I am a stay-at-home mother, my husband is the primary earner in the family, and he has a motorbike that he uses for business. This money has enabled me to ease some burden my husband has been getting from paying all the bills in the house..