"When I received my unconditional cash transfer, it felt like a turning point for my family. With $200, I was able to harvest the maize from my farm. I hired laborers to help with the work and rented a lorry to transport the maize to the board where it can be processed and sold. We had planted Kenya seed maize, known for its quality, so this was an important investment for us. Before receiving this support, I struggled to pay for school fees and basic needs for my ten children, often relying on charcoal burning and livestock sales when necessary. After using part of the funds for the harvest, I allocated another $200 to pay for my children’s school fees. Education is vital for their future, and I wanted to ensure they didn’t miss out due to financial struggles. With so many children, it can be challenging to keep up with all the expenses, but I was determined to provide them with the opportunities they deserve. My livestock, including cows and goats, usually serve as a backup source of income, but I only sell them when absolutely necessary. With the remaining $50, I purchased food for my family since the maize harvest takes time to process. This cash transfer has truly changed our lives. I feel relieved knowing my children are in school and that we have enough food for now. I’m hopeful for the future, especially with the upcoming payout from the maize we expect in three months, which will help us continue building a better life for our family. I am grateful for this support."

"When the floods destroyed our home, we lost almost everything, but not our hope. With my second transfer, I made a decision that would change our future—I bought a plot of land in a safer, higher area, away from the danger of flooding. So, when I received my latest transfer, I used $380 to start building a new house with two rooms, made from iron sheets for the roof and walls. We haven’t moved in yet because I’m waiting for my children to finish school, but once they do, we’ll finally move into our secure home. Having a stable place to live will help us focus on better opportunities and a brighter future.With the remaining $70, I bought food and utensils—things we lost in the floods and badly needed. My four children rely on me, and being able to provide for them gives me peace of mind. My husband now looks after our cows, while I focus on my growing grocery business, where I earn $5 a day. This extra income has been a blessing, allowing us to leave behind the difficult and unreliable work of burning charcoal and working on other people’s farms, which we once depended on just to survive.Building this new home has changed our lives. We are no longer at risk from floods, and I feel relieved knowing my family is safe. Life is more stable now, and we’ve moved on to better, more secure jobs. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved and excited for the future, thanks to the support from GiveDirectly, which made all of this possible."

"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."

"Recently, I received $450 from GiveDirectly, and I had already planned how to use it. I spent $162 on construction materials, such as iron sheets and frames, to improve my house. Previously, I lived in a one-room house, which was not enough for my family of six. Now, I have added an extra room, making it more comfortable for all of us. I also bought a sofa for $50, which has improved the look of my home and provided comfort for my family. We now have a nice place to sit together. To ensure we had enough food, I spent $30 on groceries, and I am grateful that my family now has enough food on the table. Additionally, I spent $200 to buy a cow. I came up with this idea by observing my neighbors who owned cows and saw how they didn't struggle to buy milk. I wanted to enjoy the same benefits. I plan to take care of the cow, benefit from the milk, and when it has calves, I can sell some to cover other household needs and school fees."

"I'm happy when I take my livestock to graze, I'm fulfilled. I also have beehives. It brings joy since I can sell the honey or milk from the cows. Our livestock supports our family's wellbeing. Their sales help raise fees or buy food for my family."

"I have a solid plan to invest in livestock to secure a better future for my family. Currently, I own four goats, which I purchased with GiveDirectly transfers, and I plan to buy more because they are highly marketable. I also have seven ducks; though initially they were ten, but three unfortunately died. These were also bought with GD transfers. Before, we struggled significantly and could only buy clothes once a year, but now we can afford to look smart and buy a few essentials. My spouse has purchased three cows with his own money, which adds to our livestock. I have four children, one of whom will be transitioning to secondary school next year. I believe that my goats will help support my children once the transfers come to an end. My strategy is to allow my livestock to multiply so I can sell some if financial challenges arise. As my ducks increase in number, I can also trade some for more goats, further diversifying our livestock. While expanding my holdings is important, my first priority remains fulfilling my family responsibilities. I am committed to saving diligently to continue investing in livestock, as this aligns with my dream of providing a better life for my family and building a stable, prosperous future for us all."

"As a mother of five, I prioritize my children’s education above all. To ensure a sustainable income, I’ve decided to invest part of my transfer in livestock, specifically goats, which are easy to breed. Thanks to support from GiveDirectly, I can now purchase these goats. My plan is to gradually expand my livestock holdings to include cows as well. This strategy will provide a stable income and enhance my ability to support my children’s education in the long run. Additionally, I aim to expand our one-room house into a two-room home. My children need their own space as they grow into adulthood. To achieve this, I’ve been saving part of my transfer in our merry-go-round group. When it’s my turn to withdraw, I’ll use those savings to buy iron sheets, making my dream a reality in the coming year."

"As a businesswoman, I have been actively involved in traveling to our local villages to buy goods and livestock at lower prices, which I then sell at a profit in the markets. This business has greatly benefited my family, but I am now looking to change my course and invest in a venture that requires less movement, allowing me to spend more time at home. Currently, I own some livestock, including cows and goats, which I acquired using the transfers I have been receiving from GiveDirectly. However, my husband and I have to pay someone to help take care of them, and this is a little bit costly. To address this, I plan to start a food-selling business that is just near my home. This will enable me to manage my livestock more effectively while cutting costs associated with hiring help. By running this food business, I can earn income while being present for my animals. To kickstart this new venture, I intend to use the proceeds from my current business. Additionally, I plan to continue saving a portion of my transfers through our merry-go-round group. Once I receive those funds, I will invest in more livestock to increase my herd. This growing herd will become a valuable asset that will help support my family in the future and also take care of my children's education as they transit to higher levels."

"I previously ventured into poultry farming, investing my transfers in chickens. Unfortunately, my venture was devastated by a coccidiosis outbreak, which resulted in the death of almost all my chicken, which was very devastating as I had never imagined that I would incur such a terrible loss. Currently, I have no poultry left, but I am eager to try something new. I want to start raising ducks because I believe they are more disease-resistant and less susceptible to many illnesses, which should help minimize losses. At the moment, I plan to use my transfers to buy food for my family since we currently have none. Once the rains come and we have a good harvest, I will use my transfers to purchase ducks, hoping they will multiply and increase in both number and value. Eventually, I plan to trade the ducks for goats. These goats will also multiply, and I hope to trade them for both male and female cows that can adapt well to the climate changes in our region. With a variety of animals, including ducks, cows, and goats, I aim to create a reliable source of support for my family, especially when this program comes to an end."

"I recently completed a certificate course in electrical engineering, and I’m excited to say that I now have the skills to put my knowledge into practice. Currently I do casual jobs that are in line with my expertise, and I am happy to say that I am sharpening the skills I learned and even learning more. One of my long-standing dreams has been to own my own electrical shop, where I can sell electrical items and create an additional source of income. To help achieve this goal, I decided to venture into chicken rearing. I buy young chickens and nurture them until they mature. Currently, I have 50 chickens, and my plan is to allocate a portion of my transfers that I receive from GiveDirectly to purchase chicken feed and medicine so that they can grow healthy. This way, by the time they are ready for sale, I can sell them at a good price. I intend to use the proceeds from selling the chickens, along with some savings from my casual electrical jobs, to fund my electrical shop. If I find that the money isn’t enough, I will consider investing in two small cows. By nurturing the cows and adding value, I can sell them in the future and use the proceeds to open the business I envision. I plan to start this business in Mombasa, where there is great potential for customers, which I believe will help it thrive. I am excited for my future, and I thank GiveDirectly for giving me this opportunity."