My main focus in my life revolves around building a substantial number of variety of livestock to secure a sustainable income for the future. To achieve this, I plan to use my transfers gradually to purchase chickens and ducks, allowing them to grow and multiply over time. As their numbers increase, I will sell some of these animals and reinvest the proceeds into acquiring goats. The income from selling goats will not only support my child's education but also help in expanding my business ventures, especially the kiosk that I have where I sell household consumables that are fast moving. I aim to grow my business further using both a portion of the transfers I receive and the profits from the sales from the business. In addition to the livestock and kiosk business, I am also involved in making and selling charcoal, which provides another source of income. The money I earn from charcoal sales will also be used to expand my kiosk business. By diversifying my sources of income and strategically reinvesting, I hope to create a stable and prosperous future for my family.

The transfers came at a very crucial time when my husband had been involved in an accident and needed medical attention. I had to use $20 of my recent transfers to take him to the hospital so he could get the necessary medication. I am happy that he is now progressing well despite the difficult moments he went through. Since my husband was not in a position to provide for us while still recovering, I also had to use $43 of the transfers to buy food for my family, as we had none in our stores. I am grateful that the transfers have been a real lifesaver for us, especially during this difficult time. Additionally, I have a kiosk where I sell fast-moving household consumables, and it needed a boost to increase its capital base and revenues. I injected $20 of the transfers into the business, hoping it would help increase its revenue. I then spent another $10 to pay school fees for my four children who needed their fees paid. Lastly, I used the remaining $9 to buy two chickens, hoping they will increase in value over time so that I can sell them and use the proceeds to expand my business. I am very hopeful that my business will grow into a big shop that I will rely on and help me take care of my family, especially when this program comes to an end.

My ultimate goals revolve around establishing a sizable livestock collection. To achieve this, I plan to utilize my transfers gradually to purchase chickens and ducks, envisioning their growth and multiplication over time. Eventually, I aim to sell these animals and invest in acquiring goats. The proceeds from goat sales will serve multiple purposes, including supporting my child's education and bolstering my business ventures.

My primary focus revolves around ensuring my child's education remains consistent, from promptly paying school fees to providing essential school supplies. To this end, I allocated $27 of my transfers towards these expenses. Looking ahead, my aspirations involve building a substantial herd of livestock and expanding my dried fish business by diversifying into other commodities, aiming for financial independence as the project concludes. To realize this vision, I invested in a small chicken and a duck for $4, hoping they'll multiply and provide a source of income for acquiring goats in the future. Additionally, I've been saving $15 from my transfers in our savings group, intending to use the accumulated amount to purchase more poultry once the savings mature. For my business, I injected $20 to increase capital and introduced washing detergent, a popular product, to diversify and enhance profitability. With our food supply depleted, I spent $22 to ensure we wouldn't go hungry, and I allocated $12 to prepare my farm for future crop planting, ensuring food security in the months ahead. Finally, realizing the importance of self-care, I invested $2 in a new pair of shoes, replacing my worn-out ones. It brings me satisfaction knowing I can now walk with dignity in presentable footwear.

My everyday goal revolves around ensuring that my child's education remains uninterrupted, ensuring timely payment of fees and providing all necessary school supplies without delay. However, my long-term aspirations extend to owning a substantial herd of livestock and expanding my grocery business. As the project's conclusion approaches, my priority is to achieve complete financial independence, supported by a stable income and lasting investments. To realize this, I plan to expand my grocery business by diversifying my stock and introducing new products that are in high demand within the community. Currently operating from my home, I envision constructing a centralized shop in the future to attract a broader customer base and enhance profitability. Regarding livestock, I view it as a long-term investment strategy. While direct purchases of larger animals like goats and cows may be out of reach initially, I have adopted a gradual approach by starting with more affordable options such as poultry, including chickens and geese. These birds are eventually sold to accumulate funds for acquiring goats. In the future, these goats will serve as a financial safety net, providing a means to raise funds during times of economic hardship. By combining short-term business expansion with long-term livestock investment plans, I aim to secure my financial future and achieve self-sufficiency as the project draws to a close.

Over the past four months, the transfers I received were instrumental in addressing essential family needs such as food, clothing for my children, and fulfilling school requirements. Additionally, they played a crucial role in advancing my farming aspirations, particularly in expanding my poultry inventory. With the assistance of these transfers, I acquired two geese and two chickens, amounting to a total investment of $15. One of the most significant impacts of these transfers was ensuring a smooth start to my child's academic year. As the school reopened last month, I was able to cover all necessary expenses upfront. This included paying the term fees in full, purchasing required school materials such as books and uniforms, and allocating funds for her school meals, totaling $36. This comprehensive support ensures that my child's education remains uninterrupted by financial constraints, providing me with immense peace of mind knowing that she can fully engage in her learning without facing hunger or the threat of being sent home due to unpaid fees..

For quite some time, I've depended on sporadic charcoal-selling jobs, all the while nurturing a dream of launching a small shop. Over the past several months, I've diligently set aside a portion of the transfers I've received. With these savings, I was able to procure a stock of sardines, sugar, and essential vegetables like tomatoes and onions. Although the earnings from this venture may not be substantial, I'm delighted that I no longer have to rely on unpredictable casual jobs. The modest profits I've generated have been instrumental in meeting our food and other essential needs. My present objective is to utilize these transfers to diversify the products in my shop, with the aim of increasing profitability. I plan to set aside a portion of my earnings each month and work toward expanding this shop in the near future.

I allocated $30 from my recent transfer to cover school fees and purchase various items for my son, including stationery, new uniforms, and shoes. This ensured that his education would not be disrupted due to financial constraints, as he was beginning a new term. In addition to supporting my son's educational needs, I had the joy of welcoming a new baby girl into our family. The transfer proved invaluable in helping me purchase essential items for her, such as clothing and other necessities, which amounted to $10. Furthermore, I ventured into a small business, selling sardines and various food staples like sugar, flour, and vegetables. Although the profit margin has not been substantial, it has helped us meet our basic needs, such as food, with ease. With the recent transfer, I invested $30 to expand my stock, with hopes of increasing sales and consequently boosting our profits in the future. I also faced the challenge of covering my father's medical expenses when he fell ill and required hospitalization. Thankfully, the transfer came to my aid, allowing me to contribute $34 towards his medical bills, alleviating my worries. I spent the remaining amount to purchase two chickens and acquire some much-needed household items that had been missing from our daily necessities.

Though I do not get a good income from it, I have been running a business selling small fish. It is a slow-moving business but I hope to expand it as I continue to receive my transfers. I aim to make it a reliable source of income. Consequently, raising money to support my children will not be a big struggle post the transfers as it had been before I got enrolled in GiveDirectly's program. That will give me peace of mind, which I had not enjoyed for years since I was always worried about how to meet the growing needs of my family.

When I received my recent transfer, I did not have money for food and paying school fees for my son, Brian. He is now in PP2. I, therefore, spent $10 to pay for his school fees. As a result, he has been able to go to school comfortably. The other $24 came in handy in acquiring food for my family of 5 members. Life has always been bearable despite the current hard economic situation because I find it easy to buy food and raise school fees. Without the transfer, I do not know how I would be going through this because I do not have any source of income while my husband does a small business that earns him less than $2 a day.

I started receiving GiveDirectly transfers when I was doing charcoal burning to make income that would help me meet the needs of my family. This business was so hard for me yet it fetched very little amount of money in the end. When I started receiving GiveDirectly transfers, I started a small business where I sell food items in a stall near my home. This is a business I had always wanted to start but I had been unlucky due to luck of enough capital. I am extremely happy that I can now raise enough money through this business that allows me to support my husband who runs a business in local town to make income as well. I have been able to raise enough money to not only pay school fees for my children in school but also meet other needs of my family as well. In the next couple of months, my intention is to keep improving this business until it finally becomes a bigger hotel. Making it a hotel will not only improve the level of income that we have but also make me be self employed. My two children will have it smooth in their education journey and in all other needs thereof.

I had the best holiday season ever compared to the year 2021. My entire transfer of $34 was used to purchase food and clothing for my family. I operate a tiny kiosk where I sell silver cyprinids. My meager business profits are sufficient to enable me to provide my kids with one meal per day. In Mombasa, my husband runs a small store where he sells clothing supplies. Because of the poor state of the nation's economy, his business has been on the decline. I was happy as I spent $12 to purchase used clothing for my two children to wear for Christmas and New Year's. I also bought a 2-liter bottle of soda, a kg of sugar, two packets of wheat flour, and three kilograms of rice in addition to the clothes. Receiving the money was a huge financial boost because I was unable to save enough cash all year. My family and I shared a meal and enjoyed the happy occasion together. I'm happy that the money made my family closer by fostering cherished smiles and memories. Finally, I spent $5.2 to add two hens to the five that I had already bought. It was a wise decision to invest the money in the hens because they will continue to multiply and increase my initial investment.

GiveDirectly has done well by eradicating poverty by creating opportunities. The village has transformed ideas into business plans which have created employment opportunities and eradicated idleness

My husband works casual jobs as the main source of our daily income. I help out working part-time as a charcoal burner. Our earnings are not much to support a family of four members. My biggest challenge has been providing food and paying school fees for my children. I spent my transfer of $12 for food, paid school fees arrears with $ 12, and bought two chicken layers with the remaining amount.

The moment when I received the first transfer I felt very excited. It was around 4 pm while I was at home hoping for a better day for my spouse so that he could send us some money for our dinner. I had asked him for some cash since we had run short of foodstuffs which he promised to send in case he makes some sales. That was when I received a confirmation message of the receipt of the cash transfer. I could not control my emotions but busted into laughter, songs, and celebrations. My four-year-old son wondered what the celebration was all about and later I informed him that God had blessed us with some money.

Having been able to provide for my family is the biggest difference in my daily life. Our business, which is our main source of income had been slow, and we feared that it might fail. On that day, we had no foodstuffs left for our next meal. Our hopes were banked on that day's sales and luckily, God answered our prayers. I am glad I was able to purchase enough corn flour to sustain us for some period as we work towards obtaining more.

We are four in our family, that is my spouse, two children, and I. We all rely on my spouse who has a business in Mombasa town where he sells second-hand clothes. Of late, he has been complaining that the business is not moving which he attributes to the current national elections in Kenya thus leading to a challenge in sustaining our household needs. I, therefore, spent the first transfer on 10 kg of corn flour worth KES 1000 since we had run short of it in the house. Besides that, I paid KES 100 for my child's examination fee so that he could be allowed to sit for the exams and bought him two exercise books at KES 50. The money came in handy, and I am thankful for the support.