"I am a local businessman engaged in buying and selling chicken within and outside the village. I am married and together we are blessed with eight children. When I received my money I opted to buy a dairy cow worth KES 40,000 to reduce the cost of buying milk daily and also to be able to earn an income from selling milk. This is because we have been buying milk daily which is expensive yet I don't have a reliable source of income. I was unable to afford one before due to financial constraints as a result of school fees responsibilities. I then used KES 10,000 on paying school fees for my children. Lastly, I bought foodstuffs with the remaining amount of the transfer. I am so grateful for the milestones that I have achieved in a short period."

"The transfer has brought a big difference in our lives as a family. We no longer lack money for buying the small essential household items such as sugar, and soap after we bought some chickens with the transfer money. We can sell the eggs and get money for the items. We are thus happy since our lives are no longer the same as before."

"My daughter had just been admitted to a boarding secondary school for her grade nine after her impressive results in her final primary school examinations. This was a glorious moment not only for her but also for the family since we had been working hard to ensure that she attain good grades that would usher her to an excellent school. On the contrary, it was a challenge since we needed to raise enough money to facilitate her tuition and all the enlisted requirements on her admission letter - thanks to the timely receipt of the first transfer from GiveDirectly. We transferred the first KES 27000 from the total amount directly to the school account for her tuition fees, and I am glad that she reported on her appointed date. I spent KES 15000 on the purchase of some materials for the construction that had just started, bought 6 iron sheets at KES 5000 meant to expand the chicken coop that was gradually growing smaller as the chicken population kept growing, and also spent the remaining on obtaining new pairs of clothes for my five children. We are all happy that the plans we had were all accomplished and hopeful that the second transfer will bring more transformation to the household."

"My primary source of income is charcoal burning. This hustle requires a lot of patience because the product, charcoal, takes at least three weeks to prepare. Due to the low demand, the money I make from a sale barely covers my needs, particularly paying for the children's school fees. As a result, they are frequently kicked out of class to collect outstanding balances while their peers continue to study, which breaks my heart. This is why I channeled KES 1,000 to their education, and they were able to resume studies without interruption. With the remaining funds, I purchased a hen in the hopes that she will reproduce and help to grow the flock. Selling the chickens will generate funds to help me meet my financial commitments."

"I operate a small business of buying milk and eggs from farmers and selling them at our neighboring center while some people usually come home to buy both fresh and fermented milk. I have been depending solely on eggs that I buy from other people despite having some poultry. When I received my transfer, I decided to concentrate on this project by upgrading it. First, I built a chicken coop and feeding ground using KES 25000 so that we will not be sharing our kitchen with them. In addition, I spent KES 20000 to fence my compound using a wire mesh. With this, they will not be destroying my crops all the time, I will be able to easily monitor their feeding behavior and I believe that the number of eggs laid in a day will increase. Apart from this, I used KES 5000 to buy 12 hens to add to the ones that I had and spent the remaining amount on food."

"Being a mother of four, to feed my family I practice small-scale farming of maize, bananas, sukuma wiki, and cabbages. My husband also works as a headteacher and his income is used for school fees purposes. My first plan during enrollment was to venture into poultry farming. I, therefore, spent KES 20,000 on building a poultry house with a capacity of 100 chickens when my transfers arrived. This will not only be a source of income to aid school fees payment but also household consumption. Secondly, KES 18,000 was spent on six rolls of chain-link fence which has helped secure my compound. This will prevent animals like cats and dogs from straying into my poultry house. Thirdly, KES 10,000 was used for payment of accommodation fees for my two sons in different colleges. This is because their daddy normally helps with school fees payment. Lastly, KES 6,000 was spent on clothing for my family. The rest was used on food and household items."

"Until Give Directly came to my village, I had never heard of an organization that gives out unconditional cash to vulnerable communities. The prospect of receiving money without having to repay it excites me. When I finally received the first transfer, my heart warmed because I knew I would be able to start living out my dream of raising chickens."

"I cannot adequately express how overjoyed I was when I got the transfer. I knew I would be able to restart my porridge-selling business and start raising chickens as an additional source of income."

"My five children had outstanding school fees amounts of KES 200 each when I received the transfer. Clearing the unpaid amount had proved futile because the money I made from the charcoal making business barely placed food on the table. They had missed two school days the previous week because of the debt. As a result, I considered settling the balance a top priority, paid KES 1,000, and they have continued to attend classes without interruption since then. I used the rest of the money to buy a chicken with the hopes of having it reproduce in the future and provide more income-generating products. "

"I am now sleeping on a decent place and I can go to my farm with such ease of mind. Before I fixed my house with money from the Givedirectly cash transfers, I was restlessly worried that someone would steal my little belongings from my exposed house. I also keep chickens in my house to avoid thwm being stolen when I am away."