"The ability to expand my retail business and start a poultry farming venture has been the biggest difference in my daily life since I began receiving payments from GiveDirectly. I was struggling to make ends meet before the payments and had few resources to invest in my business. However, thanks to GiveDirectly's financial support, I was able to purchase more goods, including clothing, and expand my customer base. In addition, I used some of the funds to start a poultry farm, which, while I have yet to bring in any chickens, I hope will be a profitable venture. The additional income from both my retail businesses has enabled me to meet the basic needs of my family and even save for the future. GiveDirectly's support has enabled me to achieve financial stability, and I look forward to more transformation when I receive the second transfer."

"I had a lot to do after receiving my first transfer, but I had to prioritize furnishing my house, which had a lot missing inside. To fill the empty spaces in the sitting room, I spent $80 on furniture, purchasing two seats and a table. I am glad the house looks better now, and that more visitors can sit comfortably. I also spent $40 on a mattress that has provided my husband and me with better sleep. We used to sleep on the old mattress, which allowed us to feel the bed frames while lying on it. We are currently sleeping soundly through the night at the moment. In addition, I spent $50 on groceries for my family of five, $95 on new clothes for my daughter, husband, and myself. Everyone is thankful for the help that has completely transformed our wardrobe. I also purchased five chickens with the intention of keeping, breeding, and selling their products and offspring as an additional source of income in the future. I still have money in my savings account that I intend to add to the next transfer and use to purchase a dairy cow."

"When I received the first transfer, I prioritized paying school fees for my son and daughter in their final secondary school year, as well as my youngest child, who is currently in lower primary school. I spent $220 to cover the secondary school fee, $50 for my lower primary, and $20 to help her with all of the curriculum requirements. I am glad and relieved that they have been in school since then and are not being sent home like they used to be when we could rely on casual labor, which is currently scarce. I also spent $60 on food shopping for my family of 10, paid off a $50 debt with a neighbor, and spent $30 on materials for a chicken coop that I am yet to build. I want to start a free-range chicken farm, but first I need a good house with comfortable cages for them to lay their eggs. I am hoping for the success of this project as a source of extra income to help pay some household bills. In addition, I used the remaining amount to purchase new clothes for my family members as well as other household items."

"I already had a budget in place for the second transfer before I even got it. When I got it I spent $300 on a dairy cow. I purchased the cow intending to produce milk for both personal use and for sale. Since a liter of milk costs $0.5, I would be able to support my family by selling milk because I anticipate getting an estimate of forty liters per day. Also, I spent $50 on wire mesh to build a house for my chickens so they could stay inside and away from wild animals while I will be away. I spent $50 buying food for my family because it was a dry season. I then saved the final $10 to remodel my house."

"We started a family merry-go-round/ savings group when we began to receive GD transfers. I do a monthly contribution of $20 which is given to a particular member who was meant to receive cash in that month from the group. I spent $20 every month to make my monthly contribution to the merry-go-round group. I also spent $4 on school fee payments as well as $10 on chicken feed. In February apart from the group contribution, I spent $10 on maize flour and saved $4 to sort out needs as they arose in the home. In March $10 went into buying food while $4 went into chicken feed in addition to the group payment of $20."

"GD transfers have been a source of joy for me. I have been alternating my spending since receiving my first transfer on my transfer usage. I use some months' transfers on buying building materials while other months I use the transfers on buying animals. In January I spent $36 on buying a goat and I added $6 to afford it, I used the $4 from the transfers on getting food for my family. In February I spent $30 to buy 3 sheets of iron that I want to use in my construction. I also bought sanitary items such as soap and food such as vegetables for $4. This month I spent $15 on buying 5 chicken, bought myself some clothes for $5 and I also bought maize flour worth $4, and spent $2 on vegetables. I still have about $7 which I am using for needs as they arise."

"Receiving GD transfers has been a game changer with my business. I am an animal trader, I buy goats, chickens, and sometimes cows from the local market and sell them in the market in the city. My business entails buying animals at a lower price and selling them at a profit. I use the profit to buy more animals and resell and get a profit and the cycle goes on and on. Since receiving GD transfers I have been adding to my money and buying goats which I resell and this has greatly increased my income from the business. I feel supported that now my family has access to food without struggle."

"As two teachers with two children, my husband and I are grateful for our blessings. When I received my second transfer, we decided to invest in a 32-inch television to provide entertainment for our family and any visitors. We spent $120 on the TV and then used $180 to purchase a solar panel and a battery, which we couldn't afford before due to financial constraints and more pressing needs. With the remaining funds, we fenced our land with a chain link fence to prevent our chickens from laying eggs outside the homestead and causing us financial loss. We appreciate the support that has brought so much joy to our lives and are forever grateful."

"I am a single mother and depend on my small business of selling local traditional pastries locally known as 'mahamri' to make ends meet. I make about $1 to $1.5 per day. I have a child in school and it is difficult to keep up with payments as a result of a small income. GD transfers have made a big difference as they have ensured my child's access to school as well as allowed me to get treatment for her when she fell sick in March. I spent $20 on treatment and I am glad she is doing much better. I have also been spending between $10 to $15 monthly on food except in March when I instead got a chicken at $4. I used $10 in February to add to my business which improved my stock and in turn sales."

"Receiving GD transfers have been such a relief. My kids had been home for three days since they had been sent away from school due to a lack of school fees. They are required to pay $6 each, monthly, to continue getting an education. My January transfers were sent on the third day of their staying home. I took out $10 and paid $5 for each of them so they could go back to school. I also spent $10 on food since my house did not have food and I bought water and vegetables at $4 and bought 3 chickens worth $10. In February and March I got sheep and a got at $25 each, I also paid out $9 for my children in school fees and in February I spent the $9 to restock our food supplies."