"I hope that the current rainy season persists, allowing us to have a bountiful harvest. This would enable me to utilize the cash aid I receive to invest in either goats or chickens for rearing. Previously, I had goats, but I had to sell them all to cover the educational expenses of my children. Presently, I have one child in secondary school and another in primary school, both of whose expenses come with their financial burdens. My husband retired from his job a long time ago, resulting in a reduction in our cash flow. Therefore, engaging in goat and chicken rearing could potentially serve as a viable source of income to support the education of my two children."

"I allocated $1400 towards paying off the tuition fees for my four children who are enrolled in primary school. Since there is still an outstanding debt from the previous academic year, I usually make partial payments as I cannot afford the full amount at once. It is crucial for me to ensure that my children's education is not interrupted. Additionally, I managed to save $10 through a self-help group. I aim to accumulate enough savings to reach $50, which I plan to invest in a business of buying and selling chickens. This additional stream of income will provide much-needed financial stability for my family. I engage in casual jobs in house construction, which rarely come by, posing challenges to my ability to provide for my family. With the remaining $10 from the cash transfers, I bought food to supplement the little food that was left in stock. In April, I saved $10 through the self-help group. Additionally, $4 was used towards school fees, and $20 was allocated for food expenses."

"Now that I have finished repairing my collapsed house, which was a major concern, my focus is on starting a goat and chicken-rearing venture. Since I have no one else to rely on for sustenance, I see these ventures as potential sources of income. By allowing the livestock to multiply, I can sell them and generate funds to meet my various needs and expenses, especially food. This endeavor will provide me with a sustainable source of income and greater financial independence."

"I purchased a single iron sheet for $9.50 to address the deteriorating condition of my house. The current state of my house is concerning, as the corroded iron sheets allow rainwater to enter, causing leaks. My goal is to accumulate enough funds to acquire approximately 18 iron sheets to construct a new house. At present, I do not have a stable job, and I occasionally engage in charcoal-making to provide for my family's needs. My husband also participates in this activity, which yields a very low income to help build the house. Additionally, I used $22.40 to buy maize flour as my household had run out of food three days before receiving the transfer. During that time, my seven children and I faced hunger and had to rely on borrowing food from neighbors. With the remaining funds, I bought a chicken intending to let it breed and then sell the grown chickens. Not only will the generated funds support the needs of my family, but they will also help me buy a goat. Am certain that rearing goats is a valuable opportunity to build wealth for my family."

"Since I already have 40 broods of chickens at the poultry house, I hope to venture extensively into this business, adding 60 more to make it 100 chickens. From the sales of the chicken and eggs, I will pay for school fees for my two children. Because I reared both improved Kienyeji and pure Kienyeji chicks, I will give all the eggs to the Kienyeji chicken to incubate, therefore increasing the stock. I will be glad that my family of four will have a constant source of income aside from the motorcycle taxi business that I run with passion."

"I am able to have a good house, unlike the one that I had, thanks to GiveDirectly transfers. Buying food was difficult as well since I was unable to have three meals each day, so I would sacrifice either lunch or supper to have for the next day. I was able to send money to my family, something I was unable to do because of financial constraints. At this moment, I can become a broker for the goat and chicken businesses, where I will be buying them from the village and selling them at the market. This would not have been possible without the assistance of GiveDirectly."

"When I got the money, I built a more pleasant home with a bedroom and a sitting area for $30. Before that, I was living in a one-room mud house which was roofed with a polythene bag. Even though the one I built is made of mud, I am happy with it for the time being till I find something better to do so that I can improve even more. I also bought two goats and six chickens for $6 and $3, respectively, since in our community, a home should have chickens and goats at hand, which translates to a source of income when need arise. Finally, I spent the remaining $15 in transfers on food, which is the most essential item in every home. We are blessed with 5 children and it is unfortunate that life has been difficult on us until we had to agree as a couple and send three of them to our grandmother's place and remained with two of them whom we cater for their basic needs. With the help we have received from GiveDirectly, we will be able to have them back home and be a whole family once more and also relieve our parents of the burden we had placed on them."

"During the month of April, I faced a legal issue concerning my 18-acre piece of land. My neighbors attempted to encroach upon my farm, necessitating legal action. Consequently, I allocated the entire cash transfer of $34 to cover the costs associated with the legal proceedings and transport to and from the court. Whereas I have not spent the recent transfer yet, I plan to primarily utilize it to purchase chicken feeds. I operate a chicken-rearing project that I initiated after receiving the cash transfers, I now have approximately 35 chickens in my possession. As these animals mature, I could sell them to generate an income to support the needs of my wife and seven children. "

"The transfers have greatly helped me curb food shortages in my household as well as take care of my children's school fees. I am currently farming, and I am expecting to get a good harvest that will ensure food security in my household since the rains are now adequate, unlike the past three years. When I have enough food in my household, I am planning to divert my transfers to buying livestock such as chickens and goats, rear and let them reproduce and increase in number. The advantage of keeping them is that I can sell them to cater for my financial needs, such as school fees for my children and other basic household needs."

"For the past few months, I have been sleeping on a broken bed. The more I sleep on it, the more it becomes wobbly, which scares me as it may completely disintegrate one day and probably hurt me. Besides, sleeping under such conditions is uncomfortable. I would love to obtain another bed in the near future. After that, I wish to secure livestock such as goats and chickens for rearing purposes only. Since I cannot actively work at my old age, keeping livestock will help me build wealth at the very least and allow me to support the needs of my family."