I initiated a goat farming project with the transfers I have been receiving from GiveDirectly . My goal is for them to multiply over time, so that once the project concludes, the proceeds can be used to cover my children's school fees. Livestock investments tend to appreciate in value, making this an important long-term strategy. As the herd grows, the initial investment will increase in worth. Additionally, during times of emergency, I can sell some of the goats and use the funds to address the pressing need. To achieve this objective, I joined a savings group consisting of six members. We each contribute $20 monthly, and the pooled funds are then given to one member at a time to use for their chosen project. I saved $60 of my trecent transfers in the group to finance the livestock purchase. However, I had to allocate $30 from the transfers to pay school fees for my two primary school children. I also spent $12 on food for my family, ensuring we had sufficient provisions despite my limited income from selling charcoal.

My primary objective is to expand my livestock rearing business. I am part of a savings group consisting of six members, where we collectively contribute funds to support one member at a time in a reasonable project. My plan is to continue saving my transfers within this group and invest in additional goats, hoping that they will multiply and can be sold in the future to generate income that will support my family and my children's education. I am optimistic that this dream will eventually bring me financial security and enable me to provide for my children's educational needs. I am grateful that the transfers from GiveDirectly are helping me realize this goal

I recently lost my job due to heavy rains disrupting our tree-cutting activities, as a result I experience financial problems. The Givedirectly cash transfers have been a ray of hope. I directed a portion towards my children's education, paying $10 school fees ensuring they were in school. I joined a merry-go-round group, contributing $50 which circulated amongst each participant, taking a turn with the sum. This not only provided immediate relief but also allowed me to accumulate enough capital to make a big investment, a luxury I couldn't afford . With a clear plan in mind, I decided to venture into livestock rearing. This has been my source of income generation through resale when need arises. I'm so grateful for the support, I can comfortably provide for my family.

My main goal for the coming year is to expand my livestock rearing business. I intend to exchange these goats for cows, thus elevating and expanding my income generation cycle. With this I will have the ability to provide for my family with ease. My children's education will be catered for. This support has contributed to our household well being.

In the heart of our family's merry-go-round tradition, where each of us adds $20 to the pot. I spent $20 which is part of my transfers in saving it to the merry go round. I am proud dad with three extraordinary children, navigating the ups and downs of life. The remaining amount I channeled $14 towards dressing up my two little scholars in school uniforms and providing them with books, paving the way for their bright futures. This tale is just one vibrant chapter in our ever-evolving family adventure, brimming with love and bursting with dreams.

My ultimate goal is to become the proud owner of a substantial goat herd. Currently, I have four female goats, and I am eagerly anticipating their pregnancies, which will mark the beginning of my investment in expanding my goat farming.

As a mason, it has been challenging to find tasks because many people from my region can barely afford to construct new houses. Moreover, the drought has further affected construction activities, as water is scarce. During a period when my job as a mason is on hold, the cash transfers come as a relief. Recently, I was able to use a portion of the funds to pay the overdue school fees for my child, which amounted to $8. With the remaining balance, I purchased food for my family, which lasted a few weeks until I was able to raise money for more food. Currently, I am engaged in charcoal production, which requires spending approximately two months in the bushes to produce charcoal. Although the activity is physically demanding and yields low income, it serves as the main income generation to support my wife and three children as of now.

If circumstances were different, and hunger was not a concern in my household, I had planned to use the cash transfers to invest in livestock and further accumulate my wealth that could help support my family. Through previous cash transfers, I have been able to set aside some funds and secured three goats, and I aim to expand my herd. The ongoing rains provide hope for a bountiful harvest, and I am pleased with this opportunity to utilize the cash transfers in securing additional goats. I believe that livestock rearing is a valuable asset that can contribute to the financial stability and well-being of my family.

Since I began receiving my monthly transfers, I have been saving a portion of the transfers every month. That has been the norm for the past four months. However, for the recent transfer, in addition to building my savings, I also spent $14 on food because we were suffering from famine. I am happy that my four-member family had access to regular meals for about a week. I was so glad to see my wife Purity, and our two children, Modi and Kazungu, equally happy and thankful to GiveDirectly. The remaining $20 went into savings because I plan to start a family project soon. I always have low wages because I rely on house construction jobs that have been difficult to get.

My primary goal is to buy and keep goats as I continue to receive my transfers for this year. Since the day I started receiving transfers, I have desired to make the dream come true. I always save $20 each month on a merry-go-round hoping that when it is my turn, I will purchase ten goats at once. I choose to keep goats because they grow and mature faster, are more adaptable, and can survive in our region. Having a herd of goats will help me become financially secure because they are valuable. After I accomplish this, my second goal is to construct a large home. My family of four cannot reside comfortably in the present house because the current home is too small.

I am the sole provider for my five-person family (wife, two children, and mother). Working as a construction worker, the money I earn, around KES 2000 per week, is only enough to cover basic needs, such as food and school fees. As a result, it becomes difficult to allocate the income to other projects, such as purchasing livestock. That is why I planned to save KES 2,000 from the transfer through a self-help group. The goal is to raise KES 8,000 in four months to buy three goats. When these animals multiply in future, I intend to trade them for cows to help with agricultural tasks like plowing. Also, I will put these cattle out for hire during land preparation and generate money for my household needs. I spent the rest of the money to replenish food stuffs for my family to last for a week.

I am guaranteed a monthly cash flow of KES 3,000 through Give Directly transfers. This comes as a supplement to the income I make as a construction worker, relieving the burden of responsibility on my shoulders. Words cannot express how grateful I am to the organization for assisting my community members and myself during these difficult times.

As the breadwinner, my job as a construction worker barely provides enough income to meet the needs of the family.  Due to the rising number of casual workers, the frequency of going to work has reduced to at most twice a week, where I earn no more than KES 1,000. This amount scarcely puts food on the table.  In fact, my family had gone to bed hungry the night before the transfer. As a result, I was prompted to deduct KES 600 from the transfer to purchase food. I paid the other half to my son's school to settle the outstanding balance so that he could sit for his end-of-term exams comfortably.

I was the only hope my son counted on to sit for his examinations. The best decision I made that day was to pay his outstanding school fees. He was able to take his end-of-term tests thanks to the transfers, and I could not be happier.

That morning, I woke up with a heavy heart, unsure how to pay my child's school fees. The transfer relieved some of the hardships I was experiencing, one of which was hunger. I was overjoyed to be able to support my son's education and put food on the table.