Making and selling charcoal is nota profitable venture, we made do with it but it takes a lot to actually make any money from this venture, it is also very detrimental to our health as we do it. My husband sells water, this makes him an income but not sufficient to invest. I would like for us as a family to build an emergency fund and I hope to achieve this by buying and breeding animals. Now we have goats and chicken which I see making us a good income. I plan to continue increasing them to a point they are enough to be sold for money.

I am a mother of five with three of my children attending school. My husband stays in the city where he sells water as a way to raise income. My three in school benefitted greatly this January from my transfers as I was able to pay school fees for them at $20, I bought them books at $6 and also set aside some $8 to buy school provisions as they arose in the time they are in school. As for December I added some money to my transfers and got a goat at $50 which I hope will soon be breeding. In November I got chicken, 4 to be precise each at $4. These chicks are growing here at home, as for the remaining amount I was able to but food for my family. 11- 4 chicken-1600, food-1800, DEC-goat-5000, JAN-2000- school fees 3 children, 600- books,800 3 school going children, class4, class 1, nusery. Sells charcoal . husband-sells water

Looking forward, my primary goal is to establish a sustainable source of income and accumulate wealth through livestock rearing. Goats, in particular, pique my interest because they have resilience in the face of harsh weather conditions, which are quite prevalent in our region. The recent cash transfer allowed me to acquire my first goat, and I plan to expand my herd. Over time, as these animals reproduce, and even after the cash transfers end, I envision being able to sell the goats to generate funds. These funds will not only cater to the needs of my four children but also alleviate the financial burden on my husband, who faces challenges in making a decent living through his carpentry job.

In recent years, my region has faced persistent drought, which prevented us from farming and left us grappling with hunger. Consequently, a significant portion of the cash transfers I received were typically allocated to purchasing food. I had a longstanding desire to use some of these cash transfers to acquire goats. However, the pressing need for food consistently took precedence, making it difficult to realize this goal. Fortunately, the recent rain changed my fortunes. For the first time in a long while, we were able to plant and harvest food. This encouraged me to finally invest a portion of the cash transfers in acquiring a goat. I reason that, even in the face of potential future droughts or when the cash transfers eventually cease, I will have a valuable asset in these goats. I used $24 to purchase my very first goat, a milestone that brought me great joy. Also, I set aside $10 to purchase new school uniforms for my two children. Their previous uniforms, bought two years ago, had worn out due to repetitive use. Seeing them attend school neatly dressed has been a source of relief.

The goal that I would like to achieve is to start livestock rearing. With four children and no reliable source of income, I would like to venture into livestock keeping so that in the future, I would not need to struggle with the issues of school fees payments. I would spend the transfers that I would be receiving on buying goats and being hopeful that they would bear offspring and increase in number.

The transfer that I received was of great help because I received it at a time of need. Two of my children who are school-going had their second term’s school fees due. Food on the other hand was also a challenge for me owing to the fact my husband who we relied on had been off work for two consecutive months. Therefore with no other source of income, getting money to cater for the needs was a great challenge. Therefore, upon receiving the transfers, I managed to pay for their school fees worth $14 and bought food amounting to $20. I felt so relieved because my children got an opportunity to carry on with their studies without being sent home to be at school with the rest and back at home, my family managed to get a better meal.

Am grateful that the previous cash transfers allowed me to buy livestock like 2 chickens and a goat. Now the plan is to continue growing the herd and let them reproduce. I believe that I could generate enough funds to support the education of my four children through these animals. That is why, my priority is to have bought at least three more goats by the end of the year.

To fend for our four children and I, my husband works as a carpenter in Mombasa. Every two weeks he sends home $10 for our upkeep, which rarely buys just enough food for that period given the high food prices. In fact, my household had run out of food that afternoon of the cash transfer and my spouse had not sent any money to me. This is why I directed $12 from the most recent transfer towards food. Also, food is exactly how I spent the entire December and November transfers. Supporting my husband gives me so much joy for I know how relieved he usually feels. Also, from the recent transfer, I spent $14 on two chickens. Am glad I got to replace the three chickens that had perished over a pox disease. Rearing these birds will equip me with enough wealth in future that I can use to raise money for my family's needs. I used the remaining $8 to clear school fees for two of my children, which had been brought forward from the previous academic year.

The smooth enrollment process, which made it clear to every village member that GiveDirectly was out to improve our living standards, impressed everyone. The officers' fairness and openness instilled a lot of confidence in us, and we were always confident that we would receive the promised amount on time. Since we paid their school fees, most children in the village have been consistently attending their classes for the first time. I have no complaints, but I wish GiveDirectly all the best as they expand into new villages.

I was relieved to receive the most recent transfer because it helped me pay off school debts for my son and daughter, who are currently in primary school. I spent $14 of the receipt on tuition fees, which allowed them to attend classes without being sent home for the entire term. I have been relying on charcoal burning and selling business while my supportive husband works as a casual laborer in Mombasa Town. This transfer was a relief for us because it gave us time to raise more money. Other household bills would be paid through our daily routines. I also spent $12 on foodstuff for my family of six, which will keep us going for the rest of the month. I also purchased a hen with the remaining $4. I used to have a small poultry farm, but it was destroyed by an outbreak, forcing me to start over.

That evening, I had just returned home from fetching water when I switched on my phone and immediately received a message notification. Upon confirming its contents, I realized that Give Directly had sent my first transfer. I was swept by a wave of excitement because I knew the money would help settle school fees for my two children.

Prior to the transfer, my two children would miss classes for at least two days owing to overdue school fees. Sometimes, I would persuade the school administration to let them study, promising to clear the balance at a specified date. The transfer presented an ideal opportunity to settle this debt. I am grateful because my children resumed classes and have never been sent home since then.

The following day after I received the transfer, my two children were sent out of school to collect the pending school fees balance. I used KES 800 from the transfer to clear the amount and they happily resumed the study. On the same day, my household ran out of the food that was in the store. The monthly KES 1,500 that my husband, a carpenter, usually sends for the house needs had depleted and my charcoal burning business had borne no fruit. So, I used the remaining amount from the transfer to buy food for the family of six members which lasted two days.