One of my main focuses is on the merry-go-round savings group that I've been a part of. I will continue saving, and when my turn arrives, I plan to use the funds to purchase a young heifer. It's a thoughtful investment because as the heifer grows, it will eventually give birth, providing us with surplus milk that we can sell in the community. In addition to the heifer plan, I'm also keen on expanding my poultry. Currently, I have four chicken, and my aim is to acquire one more every month using the money generated from selling the surplus milk. Furthermore, I am about to have a good maize harvest and hence I will not to buy maize this year. Instead, I'll utilize the funds I would have spent on purchasing maize to further boost my chicken enterprise. This shift in approach reflects my commitment to smart and sustainable agricultural practices, ensuring a more prosperous and self-sufficient future for my farm.

One of the things they got absolutely right was ensuring that everyone received equal amounts. This not only fostered a sense of fairness but also promoted unity among us. Knowing that each person, regardless of their background, received the same amount created a level playing field, eliminating any potential for jealousy or resentment. Moreover, GiveDirectly's approach of providing money to everyone in the village was brilliant. It wasn't selective or exclusive, ensuring that the entire community had an opportunity to improve their lives. What stood out for me was how well everything was explained. GiveDirectly took the time to communicate clearly about the purpose of the funds and how they were intended to be used. This transparency built trust and confidence in the community, making the entire process not just beneficial but also incredibly empowering.

Receiving the unconditional monthly cash transfer has been a crucial lifeline for my family, given our challenging circumstances. Currently, I find myself buying on credit to meet our immediate needs, and when the transfers come, I use them to settle the debts that accumulate. Despite my physical limitations due to a recent surgery to fix my spine, I save $10 monthly by participating in a merry-go-round with nine others in the community. This collective effort has allowed us to acquire assets like cows, furniture, and chickens, contributing significantly to our household's overall well-being. Additionally, I allocate a portion of the cash transfer to purchase household food items, ensuring that we have the essentials to sustain our family.Given my current physical constraints and the fact that my husband has polio, rendering him unable to work, the cash transfer has become a crucial source of stability. In our unique circumstances, where physical labor is not an option, we've adapted by purchasing milk and sending someone to sell it on our behalf. With one daughter and two grandchildren under our care, the cash transfer has become not just a financial lifeline but a means to navigate and sustain our family through these challenging times.

"In the coming year, I plan to continue making contributions and use the money for additional investments. My husband has already invested in livestock, which has empowered us economically, and we intend to build on that."

"In my view, GiveDirectly excels by enrolling all of us without any conditions. With the support we received, we've been able to build better houses and are now involved in income-generating activities that empower us. The fact that we all received equal amounts makes it fair, and we have no complaints."

"I utilized my entire recent transfer to make a monthly contribution of KES 1000 to my merry-go-round group, and the remaining funds were used to purchase food for my family. Our group consists of nine members, and I plan to use the money to buy more chairs since I have a finished house. Due to health reasons, I no longer engage in casual work, and I am content with that decision."

It has been a challenging time due to the long dry periods, and unfortunately, it caused the maize on our farm to dry up. But I am determined to turn things around and make the most out of the next planting season. One of my main goals is to plough 0.2 acres of land specifically for planting maize. To accomplish this, I will need some financial resources. Therefore, I plan to use the money I have saved to buy maize seeds and fertilizer. It is essential to invest in quality seeds to increase the chances of a bountiful harvest. I am confident that with these inputs, we will have enough maize to sustain our family. I want to start a small poultry business by buying some chickens. By raising and selling them, I hope to establish a steady source of revenue. Selling eggs will not only provide us with extra income, but it will also diversify our sources of revenue, making us less dependent on a single source. By successfully growing maize and establishing a poultry business, I aim to improve our family's financial stability and secure a brighter tomorrow.

I am so grateful for what GiveDirectly has done for me and my community. One thing they have done exceptionally well is giving us equal amounts of money. This approach has eliminated any potential complaints or feelings of unfairness among us. Something else I appreciate about GiveDirectly is the unconditionality of the money they provide. I have the freedom to decide how to use the funds based on my own needs and aspirations. Moreover, GiveDirectly's communication and explanation of the program were exceptional. I would not change a thing about GiveDirectly's approach. They have truly made a positive difference in my life and the lives of many others in my community. Their equal distribution, unconditional support, and effective communication carry the day and we are forever grateful.

I am part of this amazing savings group where we all contribute $10 each month. There are ten of us in the group, and it has been a real game-changer. In December 2022, thanks to the money I saved, I was finally able to buy a cow. It was a dream come true. For the longest time, I had been spending a significant portion of my income buying milk. But now, with my very own cow, I started a small business of buying and selling milk. It is something I had always wanted to do, and it has been a real blessing. Before this, I had been relying on my children for financial support because I could not do casual labor anymore due to a back injury from an accident. But now, thanks to my milk business, I can stand on my own feet again. Not only am I able to dress well, but I can also hire someone to work for me. It feels great to be able to provide employment to someone else. Plus, with the remaining money, I can buy household food items that were previously too expensive for me. It is incredible how this cash transfer has transformed my life for the better.

I am planning to buy a young heifer so that once it is grown, I will be able to milk and sell. I will use money from merry go round and add to the profits I make from my small business where I buy and sell milk. I want that by the time the GiveDirectly transfers come to an end, I will not be buying any food item but instead selling it to others in the village.

The best part of this program is that everybody in the village is receiving an equal amount of money. This creates some uniformity and no complaints are heard from anyone. If GiveDirectly was to go to another area, do as you have done to us in our village.

I used the transfers to buy seats that I put in my house that I built using the GiveDirectly transfers. The house looked empty and I saw it wise to buy seats to furnish the house. I also ploughed a piece of land and planted maize to help us be food secure. I currently have to buy maize because the ones I planted the previous season did not do well.