"In the Lake Baringo area, farming is really tough due to the harsh climate, so we had to find alternative sources of income. As a family, we decided to try goat rearing, which is common in our community. Goats thrive here and multiply quickly, which is a big advantage. I was especially excited three weeks ago when two of my goats gave birth, increasing our herd. This has brought me some hope for our financial future."

"Food is of utmost priority due to the biting drought. We need to sort our immediate food crisis. Spending about $150 will give us food supplies for almost three months. We will buy maize, sugar, cooking oil, beans, tea leaves amongst other essentials. I have children in day school, settling them in school is important. Will spend approximately $200 on their fees. Education will give them a better future, it enables one to get better employment opportunities. My house is also in a bad shape, it's not cemented either. I plan to improve this by repairing it and cementing the floor. It will give us a better living environment due to reduced dust levels. This can cost up to $200. The rest of the transfer will be spent on buying more goats. When they expand, I'll be able to get more milk and additionally more available for sale. Goats multiply fast in this area. They're easy to manage due to the availability of feeds."

"Livestock keeping is the main source of livelihood in our region.Therefore ,I plan to spend this money on buying myself 6 goats at a cost of KES 6000 each.I chose to buy goats because it doesn't require much attention from my side,the cost of taking care of them is lower and I also have several grandchildren who can take care of these goats on my behalf.Furthermore, these goats will serve as a security in terms of food and hospital bills in the future."

"Receiving the cash transfers means so much to me and my children. For the first cash transfer, I intend to purchase food and clothes. I intend to purchase food by spending KES 10000 and KES 8000 on clothes. For the second cash transfer, I intend to purchase 5 goats using about KES 25000 of the cash transfer. This will be my investment. For the remaining KES 20000 I intend to purchase iron sheets for construction of a house. I intend to use the entire KES 45000 of the third cash transfer to build a house. Building a house is important for me since currently I'm living in a house I borrowed from my parents."

"The transfers from GiveDirectly came at the right time when I am facing challenges with my grocery business. I need around $155 to invest in my business and maximize profits. I am also dreaming of venturing into livestock farming. I will use $310 to buy ten goats and jumpstart my business. This will help me earn more income for my family. I had begun renovating my main house, but financial challenges have caused the project to stall. I am happy that the transfers from GiveDirectly will help me achieve my dream of living in a better house. This will cost me $230 of the transfers."

"Upon receiving $450 from GiveDirectly, I was grateful for the support. Previously, my business had been struggling, so I saw this as an opportunity to invest. I used $150 to expand my business into a kiosk shop with more stock, significantly increasing my profits. This growth has helped me recover from the effects of the devastating floods. With the income generated from the business, I was able to repair my house, which had been damaged by the floods, and restore my poultry farm which had also been destroyed. I'm truly thankful because, without this financial support, I would not have been able to recover. I also used $120 to buy two goats, which I plan to keep and breed as a long-term investment for sustainable income. In addition, I had two children in secondary school who had missed several days of classes due to unpaid school fees. I used $110 to clear the balance, and since then, they have been able to attend school regularly. Finally, I used $70 to purchase household items, including a mattress and plastic chairs. This was my first time owning a proper bed and mattress, as I used to sleep on makeshift bedding. The improvement in my living conditions has greatly enhanced my well-being. I am deeply grateful for this support, as it has allowed me to rebuild my life and secure a better future for my family."

"My future goal is to continue investing in livestock, particularly goats. I have already joined a saving group, where I regularly contribute. Once it's my turn to receive the funds, I plan to use the money to purchase more goats. I currently have five goats, which I bought with money from the transfers, and as the herd grows, I will have the opportunity to sell some to meet my family's needs. I am grateful for the financial assistance, which has helped me improve my life and the well-being of my family."

"Previously, I saved a portion of my transfers each month and was able to purchase a goat for $50. That goat has since multiplied, and I now have two goats. My goal in the coming months is to buy another goat to add to the ones I already have. These goats serve as a future investment, as I can sell them in case of an emergency and raise the money I need. To achieve this goal, I plan to save a small amount from my subsequent transfers, just as I did before. I am very thankful for the financial support, which has helped us get through these difficult financial times and continues to offer hope for a better future."

"As old age catches up with me, my health has deteriorated over the past few months. On the advice of my doctor, I had to stop my business selling tobacco and farming, which has been a big adjustment. Now, I rely on my sons, who work casual jobs, to support me. However, they don’t earn much, making it difficult for them to take care of their own families while also supporting me. Thankfully, the transfers from GiveDirectly have eased this burden, allowing me to take care of my needs without depending too much on my sons. I spent $24 to buy medication and pay off a hospital bill after falling ill, and I’m glad to say my health has improved since then. Additionally, I spent $34 to purchase food, ensuring that my family and I had enough to eat. With the remaining $44, I purchased two goats for $15 each and two hens for $14. Unfortunately, the hens died due to a mysterious disease, but I remain hopeful that the goats will multiply in the future, doubling my investment and giving me the opportunity to sell some for income later on. I am very happy and appreciative of the financial support from the transfers, which have helped me sustain myself during this challenging time."

"My goal in the coming year and beyond is to own a dairy cow. The economic benefits of owning one are enticing, and I am motivated to make this dream a reality. Although dairy cows are expensive, I have developed a plan to achieve this goal. With the transfers I receive, I will continue to purchase goats. Once my goats multiply, I will sell some and use the profits to buy the dairy cow. This process will take time, but I am confident that I will accomplish this goal in the end. I am incredibly happy and appreciative of the financial support from the transfers, which has transformed my livestock business and allowed me to aim for greater success."