"After his wife died, my son was left with the heavy responsibility burden of caring for his eight children. Working as a casual laborer, most times financial obligations weigh on him because his scant income cannot meet all the household needs. Two days after I received the transfer, four of his children (my grandchildren) were pulled out of class to collect pending school fees. By that time, my son had not sent home any money, so I used KES 1,000 from the transfer to clear the tuition and they immediately resumed learning. Also, I spent KES 1,000 to extend a shed at the entrance of my house to act as a chilling spot and shelter from the scorching sun. Then I purchased a chicken worth KES 500 for rearing. When it reproduces, I plan to generate money from selling the matured chickens. The remaining amount went towards the purchase of maize flour since the household had run out of food that afternoon."

"Being the family’s provider, my husband works as a long-distance truck driver from the port of Mombasa to Kampala. Sometimes, the monthly stipend he sends home fails to take the children and me throughout the month. This is why, I sell first food every Friday at the open-air market to make money and help provide for household needs, particularly food. By the time I received the transfer, two of my children had missed school since the beginning of the week due to a lack of money to settle their July and August outstanding tuition costs. I used KES 600 to clear the balance and they gladly resumed their studies. I spent KES 250 to buy a chicken and add to the existing flock of three. This was to boost the chicken rearing project I started using the cash transfers from Give Directly that will help generate funds in the future, even after the cash program ends. I spent the rest amount to buy sugar and snacks to prepare my children tea before school. It had been months since they had taken a decent breakfast."

"To pursue my dream of raising domestic fowl, I spent KES 300 on two chickens as soon as I received my transfer. I am optimistic that this will be a profitable venture for my family, as I do not have a steady source of income. In addition, I spent KES 500 on school fees for my children who attend school. The final transfer batch enabled me to purchase food for my seven-member family. Although the food never kept us going for longer, I am grateful because it made our lives easier."

"I spent KES 200 on chicken feed after receiving my transfer. I currently run a poultry farm, albeit with a small number of chickens. I am relieved that my domestic fowl is doing well, and I am hopeful that they will be beneficial to me in the long run. The remainder of the transfer was used to pay off my three children's accrued school fees. I spent KES 570 on their fees, with the remaining KES 400 going toward uniforms for my last-born child. I am extremely grateful to GiveDirectly for its assistance."

"We have five children, four are in primary school while one is currently in college. Being the sole breadwinner, raising their school fees has been a challenge. I buy livestock from the village and sell them in the nearby market to earn a living but the profits from the business are not enough to sustain my family of seven. This has resulted in huge school fee arrears. With the first transfer, I paid KES 1500 for the primary school-going children to reduce the arrears of KES 7000 they owed the school, hoping to clear the balance with the subsequent transfers. I also bought eight kilograms of corn flour for KES 900 to top up to the little that was left and bought two chickens for rearing worth KES 600. I am grateful for the money since it was a boost to my household income."

"After separating from my spouse some years back, I relocated to my paternal home where I stay with my brother and his family. I was not blessed with any children, so I normally assist him to pay for his children's school fees. I work at a daycare in the village where I take care of children who are below two years of age. Since it is located in the village, parents are not consistent in paying the fee on time hence delayed salaries. When I received the first transfer, we had run out of foodstuffs, therefore, I bought some worth KES 800. The remaining KES 350 I used to purchase a chicken for rearing. I had some previously, but they all succumbed to a poultry infection outbreak in our region. I am glad the money was of great help."

"My spouse died some years back and at the time of his death, we had five children who are currently all in primary school. I have since then been fully providing for them both emotionally and financially and I must admit that it has not been easy. I burn charcoal for sale which is the main economic activity practiced by nearly everyone in our region. The money from it can not adequately sustain my family's needs, especially the school fees for my children and hence, the huge school fee arrears they owe the school. Therefore, I used the past three months' transfers to pay for a tuition fee of KES 2000, bought two goats and two chickens for business worth KES 6000, and used KES 1000 to purchase some of the foodstuffs for my family. The money has been of great help, especially in paying for school fees, and through it, the school fee arrears have been greatly reduced."

"Previously, I was a motorcycle taxi rider unfortunately, I developed pneumonia due to the cold that it exposed me to. I had no choice but quit it as was recommended by the doctor. I was not lucky to get a better education so the only choice I had was to engage in any available casual work within the village, but they are not reliable and for the few available, the payments are low. Poultry rearing has always been my desire but I could not afford the capital. I felt relieved when GiveDirectly promised us the cash transfers. Therefore, I spent the first three transfers on setting up the poultry project and since then, I have been spending the subsequent transfers including the most recent ones on both their feeds and vaccines. The chickens have laid and I now have more than thirty of them including the young ones. This will be a boost to my household income once the young ones mature. I am thankful to GiveDirectly for helping to realize my dream."

"I used KES 25000 to buy a water tank and used the remaining amount to buy chicken for keeping. I had for a long time been forced to travel for long distance in search of water in rivers and streams even during rainy season something that was exhausting to me. I did not have enough money to be able to buy a water tank as the money that I could get from small scale farming was just enough to feed family. I am so much grateful to GiveDirectly for the support that I got."

"Before the transfer, I would fully depend on my son to provide for my basic needs such as food, clothing, and sanitary supplies. The tale altered after the transfer. At least I was able to fulfill my demands such as paying hospital expenses and affording to buy chickens without requesting a penny from my son."