"Receiving the GiveDirectly cash transfers has been a true blessing for me; it has enabled me to start a poultry business. I rely heavily on these funds to purchase essential supplies for my poultry, such as poultry feed and vaccines. This amounts to $84 in three months. I sell the poultry for a minimum of $15 each, and with the proceeds, I invest in buying goats and sustaining my household needs. My wife has been unwell, leaving me as the sole provider for our family of four, with one child currently attending school. With the remaining $18 left from the last three months' transfers, I ensured our necessities were met, from food to household essentials. Since I started receiving these cash transfers, our lives have changed. I now own livestock, an asset I never dreamed of owning before."

"My dream is to expand my goat herd and purchase chickens. I believe this will be crucial for my financial security, especially after the GiveDirectly project concludes. By growing my flock, I aim to become self-sufficient, ensuring I can meet emergencies and support my family's needs. I also plan to save and invest in more livestock, aiming to reach at least 20 goats. Eventually, I hope to exchange some of these goats for a cow, which will provide milk for personal use and an additional source of income. I rely on the support I receive from my salary and the assistance from GiveDirectly to make these dreams a reality."

"In the next few months and years, I have some dreams I hope to achieve. First, I want to extend the rental house I own. This will not only bring in more income but also improve our financial stability. Additionally, I plan to make improvements to our own living house, adding some final touches to make it feel more like home. To fund these projects, I'm relying on the savings I contribute monthly to our merry-go-round savings group through the cash transfers, along with my husband's savings. This dream of ours will bring us so much joy and relief. Another goal is to increase our flock of goats. I've been unable to do this before due to the burden of school fees, but with careful planning and saving, I believe it's possible now. These aspirations drive me to work hard and save diligently for a brighter future."

"In the future, I plan to improve my family's life. I want to start a business selling omena to earn money. This will help me provide for my family's needs and give us a stable income. With the profits, I also hope to buy some chickens for additional income and to have fresh eggs. As my goats multiply, my dream is to exchange some of them for two plows to till the land. This way, I can cultivate more and even rent out the ploughs to others for extra money. I'm excited about these goals because they will bring financial stability and opportunities for a better future for my family."

"As a casual worker burning charcoal, I earn very little, most of which goes towards providing for my two dependent children. I rely on my brother, who is also a casual worker with his own family, for support. The quarterly transfers from GiveDirectly have been a great help, I used $87 to pay off a debt on building materials for a house I plan to start building in July. Currently, I live in a leaking house made of old, rusty iron sheets, so I am incredibly grateful for the progress I'm making towards a safer and more comfortable home. With food from our shamba (farm), I can now focus on building the house. I saved the remaining amount from the transfer to invest in goats for my future and to cover any financial emergencies. I just need a few more materials to accumulate before I can start building, and I hope to finish the house by August. With three children, two of whom depend on me, this new home will not only provide shelter but also restore a sense of dignity and normalcy to our lives."

"My primary goal for utilizing my transfers in the coming year and beyond will be to acquire goats. As an elderly person, my primary source of income from house construction is not financially rewarding. Concerned about the limitations of physical labor as I age, I see goat keeping as a worthwhile investment. Goats are low-maintenance animals, which makes their care easier for me. Furthermore, their ability to be sold provides a potential source of income during difficult economic times. I will diligently save a portion of my monthly earnings to achieve this goal."

"In the future My is to focus on starting a goat-rearing venture and expand my flock. As the goats multiply, I aim to sell some and reinvest the proceeds into new projects. Additionally, I have a piece of land where I plan to build rental houses using the resources from goat farming. My aim is to begin this right after my son finishes school next year, as a lot of my money currently goes towards my education. With the food I still have, I'm confident I can manage my basic needs while working towards these goals."

"While I was amidst the task of fetching firewood on my farm, the sudden, loud vibration of my phone shattered the tranquillity of the afternoon. As illiterate as I am, I relied on my children to interpret the message's content. With a mixture of excitement and curiosity, they revealed that it was an M-Pesa message from GiveDirectly. Overwhelmed with gratitude, a surge of emotions washed over me, knowing that this unexpected gift would transform our lives. For so long, I had yearned for the ability to purchase livestock like goats and acquire basic utensils, which had always been borrowed from relatives. With this newfound financial freedom, I could finally provide for my family without relying on the generosity of others, filling me with a profound sense of joy and relief."

"In March 2024, I was visited by two brother-in-laws whom I had missed them for more than 10 years. Their visit gave me happiness because they bought for me 2 bales of maize flour and a crate of soft drinks. In addition, we slaughtered a goat and have a celebration as a family, something that renewed our relationships. Hence, I consider it as my source of joy."

"My life has been of sorrow because of the nature of my house which was grass thatched and it collapsed. This made me to seek refuge from my daughter's house which is also not complete. My desire has been to construct a decent iron-roofed house for both the three of us. This will guarantee me a peaceful life since we will no longer feel the discomfort of having our beddings exposed to any passerby. This plan will cost me utmost $600 of the transfers. Part of the remaining mount ($200) will help me to buy 4 goats to act as my long-term investment project to support us in the future. The remaining amount will support my grandchildren's education. Thus, this is what receiving this money means to me."