"I spent KES 28,000 on the purchase of two heifers. it is because I always buy milk every day and it cost me a lot of money. I spent KES 100 per day on milk. I rely on small-scale farming and poultry-keeping projects that I have started to make an income. The amount I received is very small and I was not in a position to buy a dairy cow. I am so happy now in that I will get enough milk when it reproduces in the next few months. My family will get enough milk and I would cut the daily cost that I usually incur every day. The remaining amount of money I spent on clothes, food and basic household needs of my family. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has changed our living standards."

"I spent part of my second transfer on buying pipes, a water tank, and all sorts of materials to install fresh water in my compound. I am so glad that for now I no longer have to trek to the dam which was around 20KM. I used to complain of back pains and unending headaches as a result which made me not able to do my other house chores. To add to that, I bought two dairy cows at KES 35000 which I am currently keeping in my compound. I am positive that having them will bring a positive impact on my life because, in a few months to come, they will start producing milk. I will therefore be in a position to supply them to my neighbours and nearby dairy shops and earn a living. I am currently jobless and I feel it's high time I need to support my spouse to raise our twelve children without struggling. Initially, some used to stay at home for weeks because of the arrears, apart from that we would skip meals regularly. It's now a relief to us because I trust the cows will serve as a permanent solution to all the problems we've been going through. Finally, with the remaining amount, I bought foodstuffs and other household items."

"Rearing many indigenous breeds of cows on my farm that produce less milk has been so expensive since their feeds are costly, yet no much income from their products. At the moment, I have a new goal to sell the three crossbreed cows to buy two Frisians that will potentially increase milk production, thus a better income to support my family of seven."

"The goal that I am currently working on is to purchase a dairy cow because it is a necessity. This would help me save up the money I use daily on milk. I don’t have the financial capabilities now but I am optimistic that I will realise this goal someday."

"I spent 35,000 for the purchase of a dairy cow. It was because I used to buy milk every day and it cost me a lot of money. I rely on occasional jobs in the village to make an income. The amount I was receiving was very small and was just to pay for basic household items and tuition for my children. I sold all my milk cows to pay for school fees. I am so thankful that I no longer buy milk as I used to. I spent KES 15,000 to pay the tuition for my children in high school and university. They are now studying well and not disturbed as they used to. I hope to achieve better results this academic year. The remainder of the money I spent on food, clothing and household items that we were missing. I am so grateful because GiveDirectly has made a difference in our standard of living."

"Among the seven members of my family is my elderly mother, who has been under our care because of his age and her sickly condition. With her in our household, my two sons had to be displaced from their room, which is currently occupied by their grandmother. Every time they are out of school, my sons seek a bed space in the neighborhood which is hardly comfortable for them. With the first budget I had with the first transfer, I could not construct a new house but, I am grateful that the second transfer was timely to put up a new spacious house for them. I spent KES 15000 on buying 16 iron sheets and other construction materials and KES 3000 to pay the labor force for the construction process. To collect the rainwater from the roof, I also bought a plastic tank at KES 2500 that has made it easier for my sons to fetch and use clean water during rainy periods. I also bought a Pedigree alpines goat at KES 8000 that will potentially provide my children with high proteins per serving milk compared to the standard cow's milk. To provide for all my mother's needs at her age, including the frequent hospital visits, I saved the remaining amount, and I am glad she has never missed her doctor's appointment."

"After 7 years of buying milk for my family of four, I am relieved after buying a lactating dairy cow at KES 40000 from the second transfer. This was the second cow after buying one with the first transfer that produced some liters just enough for my household use. To increase the production, I brought in a better breed that has created an extra source of income every time I sell the surplus liters of milk. In addition to dairy farming, I also constructed a chicken coop and reestablished poultry farming that I had lost hope in after losing all my birds to a mysterious disease a year ago. Starting small with the few chickens that have been sheltering in my kitchen has given me hope of growing it bigger and more profitable in the future when they start laying eggs."

"Owning a shop business has always been my dream for many years. After receiving my first transfer, I rented a place intending to start the business using the second one. I invested KES 25,000 to acquire the different stocks for the shop. Currently, I am happy being economically active and assisting my husband in bringing up our family of 4 members. Previously, I was a housewife depending on my spouse for almost every need of the family. Nowadays, I am earning a profit of KES 500 daily on average which can comfortably assist in meeting small basic needs like food. Being able to relieve my husband of the burden of supporting all the needs. Moreover, I spent KES 20,000 to purchase one local dairy cow a future investment for the children. The intention is to save the income from the selling of milk to educate my 2 children once it reproduces."

"I spent part of my second transfer on buying a bed and a mattress at KES 8000. I felt its high time I needed to upgrade from the traditional beddings which are made of ropes. I have been encountering sleepless nights because of the condition of the bed. As a result, I was always in and out of the hospital, I am thankful that for now there is a great relief. I no longer complain about the pains or all sorts of difficulties. To add to that, I bought a dairy cow at KES 16000 and two goats at KES 6200 respectively. I had to resolve these types of livestock because with the dairy cow, I am certain that it will start reproducing milk in a few months to come whereby I will be supplying it to the nearby dairy cows and earning a living. Also, the goats, normally reproduce twice a year which is evident that I will have many of them within a short duration. I will therefore be able to sell one or two and sort any kind of emergency that might arise. Again, I bought new uniforms and stationery for my four kids who are in primary school. With the remaining cash, I opted to buy foodstuff for my seven family members which took us almost three weeks."

"I was away from home with my coworkers for a "Chama" meeting. I learned that I had received my first transfer by text message in the middle of the meeting. I ululated at the top of my voice and bounced around in excitement. My colleagues saw this and promptly checked their phones to see whether they had also received a message. To commemorate the joyous event, we all briefly danced."