"I was happy that as we crossed over to this new year I got to celebrate it with my family and I slaughter a chicken for them. It had been a while since we last ate one but since it was a special day I had to celebrate it in style."

"I spent KES38000 on a dairy cow as a source of milk and income for my family. Initially, I used to buy two liters of milk per day which was quite costly and have been buying it for the last seven years. I also spent KES 5000 on payment for my kids in primary school, KES 7000 on 15 chicken layers because they thrive and multiply fast and will be a source of food and income for my family. KES7000 was spent on building a poultry house for my chicken and KES 10000 on three sacks of maize.I also spent KES 4000 on clothing for my family. I normally rely on masonry work in order to feed my family."

"In this village, farmers who sell livestock and poultry make quite some good money in profit. Because I have no job at the moment, I requested my husband for some money so that I can buy a few chickens to rear. He promised to get back to me with the amount he can raise. With my transfers, I will open a bank account and start saving toward buying a cow. Every month, I can save KES 1,500 and use what remains to help with food and other basic needs like clothes."

"When I sat with my husband to talk about how best we can use these transfers, we both agreed to have this money for domestic use. It shall help us buy food, clothes for the children, and sometimes, chicken for rearing as he focuses on school fees and saving for the future from his masonry jobs."

"The transfer money brought a big difference in our lives. We were able to buy a bag of maize and hence we have food for our consumption. Other than that, we were able to buy a calf and more chickens that are going to enable us earn more income. The income is going to help us in catering for our various needs especially seeking medical attention for my condition. We are so much grateful for everything. May God bless you."

"Receiving the transfer enabled me to fulfill some of the desires and goals I had set to achieve once I had some starting capital. I was able to spend KES 32500 on purchasing 5 goats each at KES 6500. Moreover, I spent a further KES 1750 buying 5 chicken each at KES 350; enhancing the poultry farmer skills in me. Having the farmer instincts, I was able to purchase a bag of maize at KES 3300 that would enable to push through the entire month. Also I was able to get seedlings and fertiliser worth KES 2000 enabling future produce to sustain my family and I. I was also able to add to the food supplements in the house worth KES 3000 and not forgetting to get my kids some new clothes worth KES 2000. The remaining KES 10000 I was able to put into a savings account for future reference."

"I am a chicken farmer. My project failed because of lack of adequate resources(structure, food, and veterinary care). I am planning to review my business once I start receiving my transfers from Givedirectly. I am certain that this venture will me financial liberation which is my greatest challenge at this point."

"When I received my first transfer of KSH 1200, I spent half of it to buy food. Being the sole bread winner in my family it has been tough for me to be able to provide for the family. Before we started experiencing the drought in our area, I harvested the maize and cassava that I grew and used some for food at home and sold some to earn money. Life was bearable at that time and we could afford to have three meals per day. It is very hard for me to be able to do so currently as the farm is unproductive. I have had to do manual jobs which are not on a daily basis with a pay of KSH 200 – 300 per day. The money is just enough to budget for one or two meals. Due to these financial struggles that I am experiencing I decided to spend the biggest part of the transfer to buy food. In addition to the food I spent KSH 300 to buy a chicken. The main reason for buying the chicken was to ensure that I had chicken of my own. Previously my relatives would come to visit me and I would not have anything to offer them as a welcome gesture. This is the situation that drove my desire to buy and own the poultry. My plan is to buy more chicken and rear them sell some and also gift relatives who visit me at home. Besides buying the food and chicken I bought myself a new pair of shoes. The ones I had were worn out and badly torn."

"Late last year, a strange sickness engulfed and killed all my chickens. They were ready for sale. That was pretty unfortunate but I will not dwell on the past. Chicken gives good returns when I sell. I can make up to KES 300 per chicken as profit. With the first KES 3,000, I will buy six more, each at KES 500, and add to what I already have. Every other transfer I get thereafter, I will save KES 1,000 every month in a Sacco as I think of the business I can set up with the money I will accumulate at the end of three years. The rest we shall use for food and school fees."

"With the harsh economic times facing the motorcycle taxi industry, being self-employed is my compelling ambition. I have been working as a motorcycle taxi driver for 5 years now. Over the last 2 years, I have been struggling to keep up with this occupation. The motorcycle is not mine, which means I have to remit an amount ( 400 KES ) to the owner by the end of the day. It even became worse when the fuel prices were increased. Just picture working for a whole day and you only manage to get the 400 KES for the motorcycle owner. It becomes stressful when your parents expect you to come home with even a packet of maize flour, only to show up with nothing. I am planning to use the transfers to invest in poultry production. I currently have 5 birds, I will then buy another 15 to make it 20. This will cost me 4,500 KES. With so many hotels in Mariakani, the market for my chicken will not be a problem. A fully grown bird will be retailing at 800 KES. Supporting my parents with food will no longer be a bother."