"I currently have five goats and two chickens, which bring me a lot of joy. My plan is to focus on buying more animals before my transfers come to an end. Once the goats multiply to a good number, I will sell them to purchase cows, which is my main goal. Cows are expensive, and I know I need to invest in goats first to afford them. I want to buy dairy cows because they will provide milk for both domestic and commercial use, generating income for my family. Additionally, I aim to expand our house by adding three rooms to create a better living space for my three childrens, as we currently live in just one room. Once I achieve my initial goal, I will use my transfers to buy building materials and any extra income I earn from my side hustles. I am very grateful to Give Directly for their financial support"

"When I received my unconditional cash transfer, it felt like a new beginning for my family. With the funds in hand, I carefully planned how to use the money to make the biggest impact. I decided to invest in livestock by purchasing four sheep for $205, which would help provide for my children, especially when it came to covering school fees. I also allocated $80 to my maize harvest, ensuring we had enough food to sustain us. When I harvested the maize, I was able to collect 25 bags, which was enough to feed our family and also helped pay for my children's school fees. Before this transfer, I often had to borrow money to harvest maize. Additionally, I went to town to buy five chickens for $20. These chickens will supply us with fresh eggs, but I can also sell them to get additional income when necessary. I also used part of the funds to buy a new sofa set for $50, replacing our old, worn-out furniture. My children had been eagerly waiting for new clothes since I had promised them that when I received the second transfer, I would buy them new clothes. I set aside another $50 for that. Seeing their excitement brought me immense joy and fulfillment.Finally, I purchased cement for $10 to repair the cracks in our house. With the remaining money, I stocked up on food for our family. I used to rely on charcoal burning and selling vegetables to get by. Now, I feel a sense of stability and hope for the future, knowing that these investments will support my family and provide a better life for us all."

"Looking ahead, I am excited about the future and my plans to start a poultry business. I used to have some chickens, but now I want to focus on raising improved kienyeji chickens more seriously. My goal is to purchase 300 chickens. The income from selling the chickens, along with the earnings from my kitchen garden, will help me build a house. We plan to construct a permanent home made of bricks, which will give my family a safe and comfortable place to live."

"In life, having essential skills is crucial for survival. I know that once I successfully complete driving classes and obtain my license, I will be able to secure a job, preferably driving trucks to transport goods. Currently, I am diligently saving $20 each month in our merry-go-round to enroll in a driving school, with the goal of gaining the expertise needed to operate large trucks. As a motorcycle rider and livestock keeper, I have five goats and chicken that I raise for future financial security. My plan is to let these animals breed, eventually selling them to fund the purchase of bulls and dairy cows. The bulls will help with land preparation, while the dairy cows will provide milk for both sale and personal use, such as making tea. The income generated will significantly improve my family's living standards. I also aspire to build a four-room house, as our current one-room home will soon be insufficient for my growing family. However, this project will come later, after I have successfully completed the initiatives I mentioned earlier."

"When I received my most recent transfers, it coincided with our planting season, and everyone was rushing to make the most of the little rain we had. In our area, the soil isn’t very fertile, so failing to use fertilizer means expecting low yields. I used part of my transfer of $34 to buy fertilizer for my seeds, ensuring a better harvest when the time comes. Farming is essential for our livelihood. I also have a poultry project with 20 chickens. I spent another $34 on chicken feed since we were running low. I wanted to make sure they had enough to eat, as I sometimes sell chicken for income during financial difficulties. This project is very important to me. With the remaining $34, I bought food for my family, as our supplies were running low."

"In the coming years, my plan is to lease land and continue farming, focusing on growing green grams. Around the middle of the year, we usually plant maize, as regulated by the Kenya Seed Board. However, after that, we are free to plant whatever we choose on our lands. For me, I want to dedicate my time and resources to green grams, which I believe will do well. Additionally, when I receive the next transfer, I plan to invest in poultry rearing. Selling chickens will provide extra income to manage my farm and help me complete projects like constructing an entry gate for my compound. I have a deep passion for farming, and these investments will help me grow and secure a better future for my family."

"As a tailor by profession, I used part of my most recent transfer to buy materials for my business, spending $25. I also purchased one chicken for $5 to start my poultry farming, which I see as a way to secure my financial future. If I encounter any financial challenges, I can sell some chickens to support myself. I paid $20 for house rent since I live away from home, and the payment date had already arrived. Additionally, I bought food for my family, spending $19 to ensure we have what we need. With our transfers coming to an end, I’m planning to invest in livestock, specifically goats, as a lasting reminder of the support from GiveDirectly hence the reason why I spent the remaining $14 to buy a gaot."

"My spouse works as a casual laborer, doing jobs like land cultivation to make a living. Additionally, I burn and sell charcoal to support our family. The support from Give Directly has significantly relieved us from financial burden. Our family relies on low-paying activities, and before Give Directly came to our village, there were times when my children would go to bed hungry due to lack of food. This has changed since we started receiving these transfers. With my recent transfer, I spent $30 to buy food for our family consumption, as we were running low on food. I also purchased seven iron sheets at 68% off because I am planning to build a new house. With the remaining $400, I bought chicken feeds for my chickens, as their supplies were running low."

"I had invested in poultry farming and was excited about the progress of my large flock of chickens. Unfortunately, a coccidiosis outbreak that struck our village devastated my business, leading to significant losses as I had to sell many chickens, while others sadly died. This experience was very painful which made me rethink my approach and consider a venture that is more resilient to our climate, less prone to disease, and easier to maintain. With this in mind, I decided to invest all $102 of my transfers into purchasing goats. I believe that maintaining goats is less costly, especially when it comes to feeds and medication compared to chickens. My hope is that these goats will multiply and increase in both number and value, providing me with a reliable source of income to support my children as they transition to higher levels of education. My plan is that once they multiply, I will sell the males and allow the females to continue to reproduce. I am grateful for the opportunities that GiveDirectly has provided for my family, and I remain optimistic about our future and the better days ahead."

"I run a vegetable selling business where I offer a variety of vegetables and have recently added charcoal to my inventory. To boost my business after a decline, I invested $24 from my GiveDirectly transfers to replenish my stock, and I'm pleased to see that it is now progressing well. With two children in school, I also spent $49 on their school fees and uniforms, ensuring they could attend school without interruption and look smart while doing so. Additionally, I contributed $14 to help my husband buy food for our family since our supplies were running low. To secure our future, I spent $10 to purchase two chickens with the hope that they will multiply. I plan to trade them for goats in the future, which I believe will provide a reliable source of income when needed. Finally, I treated myself to a new outfit for $5, as it had been a while since I had done something nice for myself."