"I was in the farm, looking for vegetables so that we could cook and have a meal with my family when my phone rang persistently. It was not normal for it to ring like this, so when I went back home, I asked my daughter, who is my helper, to check it and tell me what was happening. To our surprise, she said that we had received money from GiveDirectly. I was very, very happy, so excited, and I wanted to burst out with ululations, but I withheld myself. I live with my husband and 6 children, 5 boys and 1 girl, all in school. We both do not have stable jobs but instead depend on charcoal burning and doing casual labor in people's farms, which earns us very little to support my family. We lived in a house that was leaking and on the verge of collapsing. Rain was literally raining on us, and we would even sit and watch as it rained. Whenever it got windy, we would run outside, scared that the house would collapse on us. What hurt me the most is that I could not do much about it, as the little money that we got would all go to school to settle school fees and food for the family. The first thing I thought of when I got the money was to build a better house for my family so that we could sleep in a warm place."

"In the coming year and beyond, my primary goal is to initiate an investment in livestock farming. Given the high prices of goats, I've decided to begin with chicken rearing as a more feasible option. Once I've established a sufficient number of chickens, I plan to sell them and reinvest the profits in acquiring a female goat. Therefore, I intend to allocate a portion of my transfer towards launching this project, recognizing it as a reliable investment for covering my children's school fees and addressing any unforeseen emergencies. Investing in livestock farming will provide a reliable source of income for me, enabling me to cover my children's school fees and handle any unexpected emergencies that may arise. By diversifying my sources of income through this venture, I aim to create a stable financial foundation for my family's future."

"Investing in a better future for my family has always been my priority. With the recent cash transfer, I took a significant step towards securing stability. Purchasing an acre of land for $200 was a pivotal moment, freeing us from the frustrations of residing on family land with a contentious owner. Owning this land brings a sense of relief, knowing that my children will have a place to call home without the looming threat of displacement. Alongside this investment, I diversified our income by purchasing two goats, envisioning them as a source of additional funds for my children's education in the future. With the immediate needs addressed, I directed a portion of the funds towards ensuring my children's education remains uninterrupted. Paying $90 in school fees for my three kids alleviates the burden that often hinders their academic progress. Now, with the assurance of settled schooling, I anticipate a brighter future for them. Finally, investing $200 in materials for our upcoming house project filled me with excitement and anticipation. Moving away from our grass-thatched house symbolized progress and a newfound sense of stability. As my husband and I navigate through various job opportunities to make ends meet, the prospect of finally owning a decent house fills us with hope and determination. No longer will we sleep in a grass-thatched house; instead, we will soon move into a home that symbolizes progress and stability for our family of six."

"With the favorable rains, I have prepared my land for planting, gearing up to acquire maize seeds and other inputs from the reliable Kenya Seeds Company, which has been a consistent support to farmers in our region. Despite being my first time farming with these seeds, I am optimistic about achieving a good harvest and securing a fair income, given the company's ready market for the produce. This farming venture, made possible by the empowerment from GiveDirectly and the support from the seed company, serves two purposes: ensuring sufficient food for my family of six and generating income to meet household obligations, particularly school fees for my four children. Previously, paying their school fees posed challenges, but with the progress made in the past three months, I am committed to maintaining a consistent work over it and ensuring they continue their education without interruption."

"I am truly happy that the transfer allowed me to permanently fence off my 1.5-acre plot of land using a chain link. This ensures that I can utilize it without worrying about livestock invasion, a common challenge in our area due to communal grazing practices. With the land now securely fenced, I feel more confident about investing in it. My plan for the coming year is to venture into tomato farming. I have been admiring the success of my friend, who is already involved in this type of investment, and I have been yearning to do the same. I intend to dedicate my entire acre of land to tomato cultivation to maximize income and better provide for my family. This includes ensuring that I can pay my three children's school fees on time and without difficulty through the proceeds from the sale of the produce."

"I am grateful for the financial support which has been a lifeline for me and my household. I have previously struggled to make ends meet and provide for my children. I have faced financial hardships and had trouble meeting even the most important basic needs such as food and paying for my children's school fees. As a single parent with no stable source of income or support, I have had to take on various menial jobs just to survive. One of my main sources of income has been supplying local palm wine, which earns me just $5 per week. However, since being enrolled in the program, my life has taken a turn for the better. I have been able to pay for my children's school fees on time, which has helped to ensure that they are no longer sent home for lack of fees and this has been a significant relief for me. Over the past few months, I have been able to save $20 each month, which I used to partially pay off the outstanding fee arrears. This has been a huge weight off my shoulders and my children are now able to attend school comfortably. I am so grateful because without the transfers, my children would not have been able to continue their education. In addition to paying off the fee arrears, I spent the remaining amount on buying foodstuffs for my family and paying for medication when my son fell sick and had to be admitted. I am happy that he was able to receive the necessary treatment and has since returned to school."

"I am currently in the process of building a rental house on my piece of land, and the monthly transfers have played a significant role in its construction. Previously, I couldn't afford to buy the necessary building materials, but with the help of the transfers, I'm grateful that I started the construction. I've been buying the materials gradually, as soon as I have saved enough, and my goal is to see this house come to completion. I'm assured of earning some rental income once it's complete, which will supplement my income. So far, I've been surviving on fetching and selling firewood, which doesn't pay much. I believe that earning some rental income will not only transform my household's living standards but also help me pay school fees for my children."

"Life on my side hasn't been easy; struggling to meet our basic needs has been tough. I have two kids, my daughter, and my grandchild. My husband is very old and sick; he's been suffering from tuberculosis for a long time and his eyesight is poor. But even though he can't see well, he helps by collecting charcoal and taking care of our grandchildren when I'm away doing casual jobs.When I received my transfer, I paid $30 for my kids' school fees—both my daughter's and my daughter-in-law's because she's also in school. Usually, I rely on farming to pay for their fees, but this year we didn't harvest anything due to the prolonged drought.After that, I used $50 to buy iron sheets. I decided to buy them in pieces because the money wasn't enough. When I get the second transfer, I'll buy more iron sheets and build a new house. The one we're living in now is made of mud and grass. When it rains, it leaks from the roof, and it's almost falling apart.Additionally, I spent $50 on food for my kids so we'd have enough to eat and I wouldn't have to work so hard burning charcoal. Finally, I bought one goat with the remaining money because I already had one, and I thought it would be a good idea for them to graze together.We're really grateful to GiveDirectly for helping us. Life used to be very hard, but now I can see some changes and improvements. We hope that by the end of the transfers, we'll be living a much better life."

"I used my second transfer to invest in farming, and my plan now is to focus on agriculture. After harvesting one crop, I will immediately plant another. Once I receive the proceeds from my farm, I'll sell them to pay for my children's school fees and ensure we have enough food at our homestead. This way, we can stop doing tiresome casual jobs and fully concentrate on our own farms. I am truly grateful to GiveDirectly for making our lives easier, improving them, and showing us a bright future ahead."

"My eldest son's enrollment in a mechanical engineering course at college marks a significant achievement for our family, as no one has attained such a level of education before. To support him, I provided $20 for his personal expenses while saving $24 to cover school fees for my children as they start their second term. Additionally, I spent $24 on food for my family, as my earnings as a casual laborer are limited. The transfers have been instrumental in helping me provide for my family's basic needs, including food. Moreover, my four siblings and I pooled our resources to purchase three acres of land for farming, as the current land space is very little. I contributed $10 towards this purchase. I am grateful for the financial support, especially in facilitating my children's education. I struggled a lot to pay school fees for my children and they were often sent home due to huge school fee balances. This has greatly improved and my children are enjoying a good environment with their learning."