"Since I depend on goat farming, I need to plant some grass. Will spend the first transfer of $200 to fence my two acre piece of land. $100 is enough to plant grass. The grass can also be sold to others. It will provide me with an extra source of income. Seeds collected from the grass are sold and can fetch me some additional money. Once the other transfer is sent, I plan to buy a cow. A cow goes for about $300. The cow will feed on the grass and also multiply. I will be able to get more milk for tea or even to sell. I have children in school, plan to use the rest of the transfer on their education. They are in college, secondary and primary. The transfer will be of immense importance, I'm really grateful to Givedirectly."

"I want to make sure we have enough food by planting maize on the two acres of land we own. My husband will go out fishing, and with the money he earns, we'll be able to plough the land and buy seeds for planting. After we harvest, I hope we'll have some extra maize. The plan is to sell the surplus, and with that money, I want to buy ten goats as an investment. I have three children in school, and I know that emergencies can come up. If that happens, I can sell a goat or two to cover any urgent school fees. This way, I feel we'll be more secure, with both food and a backup plan for my children’s education."

"When I received the unconditional cash transfer, I carefully planned how to use it for my family’s needs and future growth. First, I spent $50 on kale seedlings because I had already prepared the farm for planting vegetables. Kale is a good investment since it grows for a long time, and I’ve already started harvesting, which helps us sustain our income. I also bought a bag of maize for $30 to make sure we had enough food to be secure, so we don’t have to worry about our basic needs. I wanted my wife to feel valued and appreciated, so I encouraged her to use $32 from the transfer to buy new clothes. I also used $15 to buy two plastic chairs since we didn’t have proper seating, and we had been sitting on stones for too long. Now, we finally have something comfortable to sit on at home. Additionally, I used $20 to pay school fees for my sister-in-law, who had been sent home because we couldn’t afford it. I also spent $8 on deworming medicine for our goat, which needed urgent care. Finally, I used the remaining money to manage the kale farm, ensuring a healthier yield. This transfer has truly been a blessing, helping us meet immediate needs and invest in things that can improve our lives in the long run."

"My ultimate goal in owning livestock is to acquire bulls that will help me plow my 10-acre piece of land. Currently, I spend a lot of money hiring a tractor to plow, but once I have bulls, I can save that money and make farming more affordable. To achieve this goal, I plan to use the money from my transfers in the coming months to purchase more goats. Once I have enough goats, I will trade them for the bulls I need. I am very happy and appreciative of the financial support, which is helping me achieve my goals and create a better future for my family."

"Both my husband and I work as casual laborers. I earn a living by selling charcoal and firewood, and when the weather permits, I also engage in farming. My husband works as a farm laborer. However, our combined income is quite low, making it difficult to meet all of our family's needs—especially during times like this when the lack of rain means I can't farm. The financial assistance from the transfers has been a huge boost for my family. Recently, I spent $40 to clear school fees arrears for my children, allowing them to sit for their end-of-term exams. I also saved $20 in a savings group, which I plan to use to complete the construction of our two-room house. I used $10 to buy building poles to get closer to starting the house construction. Additionally, I purchased a goat for $15, which I see as a crucial investment for the future. In times of need, I can sell it to raise funds. Lastly, I spent $17 on food, ensuring that we had plenty to eat and never went hungry. I’m incredibly grateful for the financial support, which has allowed me to keep my children in school and provide for their education."

"The biggest difference in my life since I started receiving cash from GiveDirectly is that I now have a stable source of income and a sense of security that I didn’t have before. In the past, I relied heavily on crop farming, but after the floods displaced me, I lost that livelihood and faced serious challenges in providing for my family. Moving to this new area felt uncertain at first, as it’s not suitable for crops. But with the support from GiveDirectly, I’ve been able to adapt by investing in livestock, specifically goats, which thrive here. Owning goats has brought consistency to my income, something I couldn’t achieve before. This support has given me the resources to plan for my family’s needs, including my child’s education, and it has relieved a lot of stress. Now, I feel more in control of our future, and I’m confident that I can continue to provide for my family in a sustainable way."

"When I received the cash, the first thing I did was buy two bags of maize for $54. I depend on casual labor and selling charcoal to make ends meet, and having food stocked up gave me peace of mind. Feeding my family is always a struggle, so I knew this would keep us going for a while without worrying about our next meal. I also bought a goat and a sheep for $110, something I’ve always dreamed of owning. In the future, they can multiply or be sold during hard times. Having them makes me feel more secure because they’re assets I can rely on when I need quick income. Since I wasn’t feeling well, I spent $5 on medication to treat myself. I couldn’t afford to let the illness slow me down with so much to do. Lastly, I used $8 on my children’s school fees. Education is very important to me, and I want my kids to have better opportunities, even if it’s only a small contribution for now. Every bit helps keep them in school."

"I work as a mechanic in Mombasa, but my limited earnings make it challenging to support my family. I rely on my GiveDirectly transfers alongside my job income to help cover rent, purchase food, and care for my loved ones. Due to my financial circumstances, I need to explore additional ways to generate income. I've been considering animal husbandry to increase my earnings. At present, I have 5 goats and around 20 chickens, which I can sell for extra cash during financial emergencies. In the upcoming year and beyond, I plan to invest more in goat farming. My goal is to acquire additional animals so they can breed and produce even more. This venture will provide me with financial security for the future, as I can sell the animals if I face any financial challenges to support my family."

"After receiving my latest transfer, I invested $24 in two iron sheets because I plan to build a house, as I currently do not own one. Along with that, I purchased two chickens for my poultry farming venture, which I see as a promising future financial investment. I also spent some money on nails and a few building materials for the construction. Additionally, I bought a few new clothes since my old ones were getting worn out. With what was left, I decided to invest in one goat, as I appreciate their resistance to diseases and their fast multiplication, which can enhance my financial stability. Overall, these purchases reflect my strategy to secure my economic future. Each element of my spending is aimed at building a more sustainable livelihood."

"I used $200 to buy pesticides and herbicides for my tomato crop since it’s planting season, and my tomatoes need proper care to produce a good harvest. So far, they’re growing well, and I expect to harvest them next week. This investment should lead to a strong yield and some extra income. I also spent another $200 to buy three sheep and one goat. For me, this is a long-term investment, as livestock can multiply quickly. Over time, as the animals breed, they’ll become valuable assets that can help cover future needs, like school fees or household expenses. It’s a small step toward building stability for my family. With the remaining funds, I bought food items to make sure we had enough to eat as we continued working on the farm. Knowing that our basic needs are covered allows us to focus on our farm and livestock without worrying about where our next meal will come from. This cash transfer has given me hope for a better future and a way to create a stable, supportive home for my family."