"On the first of January this year, we convened as and celebrated together. We had the opportunity of preparing a special meal( Cooked rice served with chicken). We rarely have such a meal as a family and everyone was happy that day. I was filled with joy when I saw the smiles on my children's faces. How I wish I could afford to regularly provide them such a meal."

"Persistent drought has made food insecurity an unbearable issue for my household. So I prioritize putting meals on the table with every penny I receive. Therefore, I mostly spent my recent transfer on purchasing food worth KES 2200. Also, to maintain a source of income, I used KES 800 to obtain two chickens for rearing."

"From the recent transfer, I saved KES 1000 through a self-help group, intending to accumulate enough funds to purchase a goat. Recently, my son, who am confident was falsely accused, was apprehended and I sent him KES 900 for upkeep. I also bought chicken feeds worth KES 900 and paid KES 500 for my grandson’s school fees. I used the rest of the money to acquire food."

"When I started receiving transfers, I ventured into poultry farming. However, the flock occupies a vacant rental room as I build a chicken pen. So I spent the recent transfer to thatch the roof of the small mad-shed to accommodate my chickens. I purchased palm branches worth KES 2000 and compensated the laborer who handled the exercise using KES 1000."

"I completed my primary school studies and never had the opportunity to proceed to college due to lack of money. My plan is using this money to plan for my studies. I would like to do a tailoring course. For the first transfer, I will save 2,000 KES and for my college fees and then buy myself clothes with 500 KES and use the remaining 500 KES for buying chicken. I will be saving 2,000 KES for my studies every month."

"I always enjoy eating rice, chapati, and chicken meat. The previous festive season was the epitome of my happiness. My favorite dishes I had missed for over 6 months were in plenty. Frankly, that moment was enjoyable."

"Receiving this money will be a major boost for us. We have always wanted to start a poultry project but we had no means of raising the start up capital. We are so excited about this transfer since we are now certain that our dream will come to fruition. We plan to establish an indigenous poultry project for KES 50000, it will be sufficient to build a poultry structure that will accommodate 100 chickens. We anticipate generating enough disposable income for our use from the project.We will use the rest of the money to furnish up our house."

"Three days prior to receiving the money three of my kids had been kicked out of school because I had a huge debt in tuition fee that I had yet cleared and could not clear because I lacked the financial capability. So just imagine the look I had on my face when I saw GiveDirectly had sent me some money. I was overwhelmed with so much joy I could cry and this is because I knew my children could finally go back to school. Following day I paid KES 2,000 in school fees and they were on their jolly way back to school. I remained with KES 1,000 which I put away in savings because I wanted to get involved in livestock farming and poultry farming so I was trying to save enough money so that I could buy some goats and chicken to rear."

"I have worked as a motorcycle taxi for the past 15 years. The income from this normally helps me feed my family and invest in savings groups. On a good day, I can get up to KES 600 and KES 300 on a bad day. I am also a farmer of maize and beans farmer that helps in household consumption. So when I received my first transfer my major plan was to upgrade my grass-thatched and mud-walled house. I, therefore, spent KES 25,000 on the purchase of 32 pieces of Iron sheets, timber, and payment of labor. As we speak my house is Iron roofed, three-quarters of it are timber-framed, and a quarter of it I intentionally left as mud-walled majorly to act as a Kitchen. Secondly, I spent KES 17,000 on the heifer which is due in three months. A heifer is good because it helps one to monitor its performance once it gives birth from the beginning hence easy prediction of its production trends in the future. Thirdly, I bought a wire mesh at KES 3500 to build a bigger poultry house because I intend to increase my poultry. This is because now have I only have 29 chickens composed of 16 chicks, 10 hens, and two cocks. Additionally, I intend to venture into quail farming to make my farm a training farm for the nearby schools. Lastly, I spent KES 3000 on a bag of Maize. This will sustain us longer and will help reduce the daily household budget."

"The house I am currently living, is about to fall down because of the weakening poles. The roof is also leaking since it was made of Makuti, which was partly blown away by the strong wind. I heavily depend on the farm to earn a living and because of the drought in our area, I no longer work on the farm. Upon receiving my recent transfer, I spent KSH 1300 in buying cement and continue building my house. Since I do not have a job, I spend part of the money towards building the house and the other in buying food for the family. Besides buying cement and food for my family, I also spent KSH 1000 in buying four chicken. Because I am currently jobless, I ventured into poultry farming as an alternative way of earning an income. Once the chicken multiplies in numbers, I will sell the eggs and also the chicken and earn from that."