"I consider myself fortunate to own four acres of land, but due to a lack of capital, I have only been able to plant on one acre in the past. This year has been particularly challenging, as I lost my entire crop; however, I refuse to let that setback deter my plans for the future. I am determined to invest in irrigation equipment, including a generator, which will enable me to plant more efficiently and in a timely manner across all four acres. I intend to use my final transfer to make this investment a reality, as I believe it will significantly increase my yields. With the income generated from planting the entire four acres, I will be able to meet my family’s needs, including school fees and daily expenses, ensuring a more stable and secure future for us all."

"When I received my second unconditional cash transfer, I knew exactly how I wanted to use it to support my family and help us get back on our feet. My wife runs a grocery and cereal business, which has been crucial in meeting our daily needs, especially since my crop farming is seasonal. However, her business stock had been running low, and I recognized its potential to provide us with consistent income. Therefore, I decided to give her $195 to increase her stock, which has already resulted in higher profits. She even managed to pay $50 in school fees for our children and bought them some clothes while her business continues to thrive. Additionally, I invested $150 in my crop farming by planting butternut squash and green grams. This money went towards land preparation, planting, and irrigation, and I’m pleased that my crops are doing well. With harvest expected in about two months, I now have faith in getting back on my feet again after losing my previous crops to floods. Furthermore, I allocated $50 to clear the fees for my three children in elementary school. The remaining $55 I spent on food to ensure we have enough to eat and to avoid relying solely on the business during its growth phase. I purchased essential cereals and condiments to sustain us while we await the harvest from my crops. With these combined efforts, I believe both my wife’s business and my farming will lead us toward financial stability, allowing us to provide a better future for our children."

"I have three children in secondary school, and raising their fees has been a significant challenge, especially for the one in Form Four, where a zero balance is required. The accumulated arrears stood at $790. To meet these expenses, I rely heavily on crop and livestock farming, which has been manageable in previous years. However, I lost three acres of seed maize this year to floods, which would have helped clear the fees. As a result, I had to sell 14 goats and sheep, leaving me with only the young ones. When I received my second transfer, I decided to commit the entire amount to school fees, ensuring that my children’s education continued uninterrupted. I have planted an acre and a half of beans, and with a successful harvest, I will use the proceeds to clear the remaining balance."

"When I received my unconditional cash transfer, I decided to prioritize my children's education and the well-being of my family. My son is currently in junior secondary school, and I enrolled him in boarding, which cost me $105. His school recommended boarding due to the long distance and the dangers of crossing the river, especially after the recent flood incident. Additionally, I have a daughter in high school who had accumulated $200 in unpaid school fees. I had no idea how I would settle her fees, but with this transfer, I was able to clear the arrears, which brought me peace of mind. As a crop farmer, I used $50 for land preparation, intending to plant maize on my one-acre farm. The proceeds from this harvest will help sustain us in the future. To create a lasting memory of the support I received from GiveDirectly, I bought a goat worth $60, which will also help us in the long run. With the remaining funds, I purchased food items like beans and maize to keep us going as we wait for the crops in the field to mature. This cash transfer has truly relieved a great burden and allowed me to plan for our needs with confidence."

"Beside crop farming, with the challenges I have experienced through droughts and floods, I am planning to invest more in goats. Unlike crops, goats do well and are not affected as much by climate shocks, making them a more reliable source of income. This investment will help me address important needs like school fees for my children and daily household expenses. Additionally, the goats will provide a steady milk supply for my family, reducing the need to buy milk. To reach my goal, I plan to save money from charcoal production and use part of my final transfer to purchase at least ten goats."

"It was a beautiful morning when I received $200 from GiveDirectly. I felt an overwhelming sense of happiness because I knew this money would help lighten the burdens I currently faced. I immediately shared the good news with my husband, and we both felt a wave of relief. The first thought that came to my mind was to use the money to pay the school fees for my children, who had been sent home due to unpaid fees. Knowing that I could help them return to school filled me with hope and gratitude. This support from GiveDirectly has truly made a difference in our lives."

"Upon receiving my latest transfer of $450 from GiveDirectly, I immediately took action to support my family. I used $210 to pay the school fees for two of my children, who were on the verge of being sent home due to unpaid fees. Thankfully, since I made this payment, they have been able to continue their education without interruption, and I am very grateful to GiveDirectly for that. Next, I invested $100 in buying watermelon seeds and paying for the labor needed for planting. I planted melons on two acres of land because this crop thrives in our area and fetches good prices in the market. I plan to use the proceeds from the harvest to boost my existing business and purchase more assets that I currently do not have. Additionally, I spent $50 on food for my family to ensure we have enough to eat at home. The remaining money went towards our daily household needs, helping us maintain a stable and comfortable living environment. I feel hopeful about the future, thanks to the support from GiveDirectly."

"After receiving $450 from GiveDirectly, my husband and I quickly made plans on how to use the money. I allocated $200 to buy a generator, which will be crucial for irrigating our farm whenever we need it. Previously, I had to borrow money for this purpose, and now that I have the funds, I want to avoid inconveniencing anyone. It feels great to invest in something that truly belongs to me. I also used $100 to pay school fees for two of my children. The school had informed me that they would send them back home due to a lack of funds, but thanks to GiveDirectly's timely transfer, my children have been able to stay in school without interruption. My family was also struggling to afford food, so I spent $45 to buy enough supplies to keep us healthy and energized. Finally, I used $33 to purchase household items that I didn’t have before, including chairs and cushions. These additions have made our home more comfortable, and I am grateful for the support that has allowed us to improve our quality of life."

"I am planning to focus on farming this year and in the years to come. However, I will first wait for the last transfer from GiveDirectly to lease some land to start the farming. With this new source of income, I will be able to pay my children’s school fees and reinvest back into the farm, allowing it to grow into a sustainable source of income for my family. The thought of this fills me with hope, as I can see myself reaching a new level of stability and growth. Farming will not only improve our lives but also give my family the security and opportunities we have always dreamed of."

"As a family of three, we depend on fish farming to earn a living. However, sometimes we run into losses because the fish can sometimes go bad or even you lack a customer. Therefore one will dispose of them. Now I hope to get a backup plan to fish trading, I plan on adding more goats to my current herd therefore secure a future for my family. I plan on spending KES 25000 on purchasing 5 goats. I also plan on spending 70000 on clearing school fees for my grandson in college. This will help him stay in school without worrying about being sent away to collect fees. I will be glad to continue with my fish business while diverting the profits to other family issues."