"As a devoted mother of three, I allocated $34 from my recent transfers to pay my children's school fees, ensuring their education continues without interruption. Witnessing a radiant smile on my youngest child's face as I invested $10 in purchasing a new school uniform for him, filled my heart with joy. Taking steps to secure our future, I eagerly purchased a goat for $34 and acquired four chickens at $5 each, totaling $20. These investments not only inspire confidence but also paint a beautiful picture of the promising future ahead. With the remaining $14, I carefully selected nourishing food to sustain my family for the week, cherishing the moments of togetherness."

"As a mother of four children, with three currently attending school, I aimed to ensure their happiness as the festive season approached. Investing $20 in clothing made them feel their best, while $18 spent on food brought us joy and created memorable holiday moments. Currently, I care for six goats, which provide comfort with their resilience during long droughts and the ease of tending to them. I recently acquired an additional goat for $49, bringing the total to six. Alongside purchasing two chickens for $15, I now have nine chickens, symbolizing hope and prosperity for the future."

"I am currently unemployed due to the scarcity of rainfall, which has impacted my job of cutting trees. In response to this situation, I am considering starting my own shop where I will sell cakes, sugar, and flour. I find this venture promising because it's relatively easy to start and doesn't require a large capital investment. My primary motivation for pursuing this business is to ensure I can afford to pay my children's school fees without difficulty. To gather the necessary capital, I plan to sell my chickens after they hatch and also save enough from my transfers."

"To provide for my family of six, I sell charcoal while my husband works in Mombasa. Previously, our business struggled, making it hard to afford food or school fees. This program has been a blessing, enabling me to educate my sons and even purchase chickens and goats. With the transfers received, I saved $30 in our local savings club for a future goat-rearing business. Another $64 was set aside for my son's school fees, and $10 went toward buying three chickens. The remainder was used for medical treatment for my chest problems, and I'm happy to report I'm feeling better. This organization has truly transformed not only my life but also our entire community."

"First off, I'm planning to buy 2 chicks at just $1 each. These chicks will grow into chickens, providing us with eggs and meat, helping to increase our food supply and maybe even provide some extra income. Alongside this, I'm determined to put more effort into food production overall."

"My son, Hamisi, completed high school in 2021 and had always wanted to join a driving college shortly after. However, I did not have funds to pay for his college fees, which were around $175. My only source of income was rearing chickens, and when they matured, taking them to the market to sell them. This means of livelihood was barely enough to put daily meals on the table because making a sale was not guaranteed. When the cash transfers started, it was during the drought season, and food was the number one concern. As a result, it was hard for me to spare anything to take my son to college. I am happy that the recent rains enabled me to farm maize crops on my farm, and I recently harvested some food. With the food concern eliminated, I saved everything from the previous three cash transfers, amounting to $102, to enroll my son in his dream college. He was happy when this happened as he had waited for so long. I am glad that I got to fulfill his wishes."

"I had planned to start purchasing metal sheets to initiate the construction process for my new house. However, with the expenses of my children's school fees using up most of my transfer, it has been challenging to save enough for the metal sheets. To supplement our income, I wash clothes for others, providing vital support for my family while I await the hatching of our chickens, which I will sell and make a profit. With diligent saving from my work and the potential assistance from GiveDirectly, I am hopeful that I can soon realize my dream of building a new house. Upgrading from our old mud house to one with two spacious bedrooms is a strong desire of mine, and I am determined to make it happen."

"Poverty has been an issue in my family. It has made the family to take only ugali per every meal and sometimes we even go without it. However on 1st January 2024, I slaughtered a chicken for the family to celebrate and also cooked chapati in the morning. We had last taken such a meal since January 2023. My family and I felt happy and rejoiced."

"Looking ahead, my goal for this year is to establish a poultry business focused on raising chickens. However, I intend to pursue this goal only after ensuring that my children are stable and settled in school. I aspire to utilize subsequent transfers to realize this objective. Having an additional source of income will provide me with the means to comfortably pay my children's fees, offering me a profound sense of security and accomplishment. I cannot express enough gratitude for the assistance provided."

"My primary means of earning a living has been raising livestock on behalf of others. In the past, providing for my family of nine required a lot of work, but the assistance provided through these transfers has eased some of our financial burdens. Together with my wife, we have comfortably provided for our children's education, thanks to the combined support we receive. Additionally, I have been able to invest in goats, aiming to expand this venture into a sustainable business. Utilizing $34 from the transfers, I purchased a goat, foreseeing its potential to provide quick financial relief in case of an emergency. Another $51 went towards settling outstanding school fees, addressing a debt that needed to be cleared before our children could resume their studies. With the remaining $17, I bought chickens, hoping they would multiply to be sold later on at a profit. I am genuinely grateful that this assistance has eased our financial strain and also enabled us to achieve what once seemed impossible."