"I accumulated savings of $30 within a close-knit savings group comprised of relatives. My intention is to utilize these funds to procure iron sheets and construct a spacious two-roomed dwelling capable of accommodating my family of eight. Our current single-room residence is inadequate for our needs. Furthermore, I disbursed $20 for the school fees of my four children at Mnazimwenga Primary School. I am delighted that they completed their studies and participated in their end-of-year examinations without any hindrances. Prior to the maize harvest, I allocated $42 towards purchasing food. This ensured that our family never went to bed hungry, despite the challenges of acquiring food at inflated prices from local stores. Additionally, I acquired a sheep for $37, viewing it as a prospective investment due to its potential to multiply, providing an opportunity to sell some offspring and generate income. I am genuinely content with the financial assistance, which complements my income from charcoal sales and aids in meeting my family's needs."

"The recent unconditional cash transfer brought a wave of relief into my life. With a portion of it, I fulfilled a long-cherished dream by purchasing a goat for $25. These animals were always on my wish list, but their high prices made them seem like a luxury I couldn't afford. The primary reason behind acquiring them was to establish a sense of security for myself. In the face of financial emergencies, it used to be quite challenging, and the goats, I thought, could serve as a financial buffer. It's a comfort to know that I have a tangible asset that can be a source of support in times of need. The rest of the funds were devoted to my son's well-being. I allocated $9.7 to buy him a new school uniform. His previous ones were worn out and torn, a condition that not only affected his self-esteem but also had the potential to impact his focus and productivity in school. As the main breadwinner with limited earnings, providing for even the basic necessities like meals was a constant struggle. Therefore, being able to invest in my son's education and self-esteem through a simple uniform purchase is a significant step forward for both of us."

"Givedirectly's cash transfer program came at the right moment. I plan to fund my farming activities with the transfer. I will set aside about $400 for farming in the next season. The proceeds will help me clear the loan I owe. I am hopeful to get more profits to save for future farming. Farming has been my main source of income and plan to expand it further by doing irrigation. Due to the bad condition of my house, I plan to build a one roomed iron sheet house. The cost of materials is high but it will cost approximately $500. It will give my family a better place to stay and call home. The mud house is hard to maintain and can be destroyed by termites easily. Cows produce milk for domestic use or sale. I don't have one now, will buy one for milk. It will cut our cost of buying milk. A cow is sold at about $250, when they breed, we can sell their milk or the cows. They fetch good prices, and can support us during hard times."

"As the primary provider for my family, consisting of my wife and six children, my livelihood revolves around buying and selling charcoal. However, the costs of transporting charcoal from the village to the nearest town center, Mariakani, have been increasing due to rising fuel prices, consequently impacting my profits. Looking ahead, my goal for the coming year and beyond is to transition to selling my produce directly from home. To achieve this, I plan to establish a wide customer base that will travel from town to my home for the purchases. However, substantial initial capital is required for this venture. I am optimistic that the continued support from cash transfers will play a vital role in making this transition a reality."

"Upon receiving the second transfer, I incorporated my son's help in withdrawing a part of it, and together, we bought materials to construct a new kitchen. Adding to the first 8 iron sheets purchased earlier, I bought an additional 6 sheets for $63, roofing nails for $5, and window mesh for $3. My previous kitchen had collapsed due to weak poles destroyed by termites, so I am glad to initiate the construction of a new one. After spending $10 on transporting the materials home, I have paid a construction cost of $20 and have another $20 pending as per our agreement with the constructor. I also purchased foodstuffs, including 1 sack of maize for $40, beans for $5, a carton of milk for $6, and sugar worth $10, which I am still using since I live alone. Currently, I have $48 in cash and $25 saved in my Mpesa account, and I intend to use it to buy at least 3 goats once the currently high prices drop. This support has allowed me to address immediate needs and plan for a more sustainable future."

"Upon receiving the second transfer, my priority was stocking enough food for my family of 11, so I purchased 2 sacks for $90. Addressing education needs, I allocated $150 for school fees, settling part of the arrears and enabling my two children in secondary school to sit for their end-of-term exams. Additionally, I bought 5 iron sheets for $55 to progress with completing the construction of our house, which had stalled. Due to a tight budget, I could not buy all the missing materials at once, but I am planning to acquire the remaining 3 sheets soon. Fulfilling a collective wish, I spent $40 on new clothes for all 11 members of my household, bringing joy and gratitude since it's been long since we bought ourselves new clothes. Traveling back and forth from town incurred a $10 transport cost. Lastly, I saved the remaining $105 to purchase goats, anticipating better prices in January after the festive season. We are thankful to GiveDirectly for this generous support, which enhances our well-being and aspirations."

"Givedirectly's cash transfer will help us, it has been timely. The first transfer will give us the ability to grow beans. They mature faster, and the rainy season will give us an advantage. Beans are consumed by many people, hence there's ready market. It will give us more income. Due to poor storage of our farm products. We plan to build a storage facility. It will cost about $450. This will ensure that we can store them until they fetch good prices. When farm produce is sold immediately, they tend to pick low prices. My three children in school need education support, to ensure their stability. Plan to spend the entire third transfer on their education. I believe in educating my children for a better future."

"Upon receiving the second transfer, my immediate plan was to fence my four-acre piece of land. I purchased 10 chain links and 1 barbed wire, totaling $322, to secure the area. While fencing, I incurred a labor cost of $32, as an extra pair of hands was needed for digging holes and tightening wires to ensure the fence's sturdiness. This fencing serves the purpose of keeping stray livestock at bay, preventing them from clearing vegetation on the farm. With the fence in place, I aim to cultivate the land and prepare for goat farming. Although I initially intended to use the remaining funds to buy goats, the current high prices, driven by festivities and an anticipated goat auction in the nearby shopping center, led me to reconsider. I have opted to save the remaining amount, planning to make the purchase when prices are expected to drop towards the end of December. This strategic decision allows for a more efficient allocation of resources for the future development of my farming venture."

"Initially, I had begun the construction of a house, but insufficient funds left it incomplete. I am happy that the second and third transfers, along with support from my children, helped me realize my dream of building a three-roomed iron sheet house. I utilized $150 from the third transfer to complete the house by purchasing doors and windows and covering the installation fee. The new cozy house now comfortably accommodates me, my spouse, and my four grandchildren. This is a significant improvement from the cramped, one-roomed structure we used to inhabit, which was also tedious to smear. Furthermore, I used $150 from the third transfer to expand my goat herd by buying four goats. Recognizing the resilience and low maintenance requirements of goats in our area, this strategic move holds the potential for long-term benefits, contributing to both family sustenance and additional income through breeding. To address immediate food needs, $10 was sensibly spent on purchasing two sacks of maize during the harvesting season, taking advantage of favourable prices. This ensures a stable and sufficient food supply for my family of six in the upcoming months, mitigating the impact of poor harvests that was as a result of the drought that we experienced this year."

"I allocated $10 to settle a medical bill that arose from my visit to the hospital when I was unwell. I am grateful for the specialized treatment I received, and I am currently recovering well in the comfort of my home. In September, I incurred expenses amounting to $34 while taking care of my daughter, who faced complications during the birth of my grandson. I am overjoyed to share that both the mother and child are in good health and thriving at home. Additionally, I spent $34 on purchasing food to sustain my family, which consists of three members: my daughter, grandson, and myself. This expenditure was necessary during a time when we had not yet harvested our crops, and we had to rely on purchasing food from stores at inflated prices. I am immensely grateful that the financial support we received helped us navigate through that challenging period, and now we have an abundance of food thanks to the bumper harvest. Lastly, I fulfilled my responsibility by paying the school fees for my grandson, who is studying at Malindi Secondary School. Since the unfortunate passing of his mother, I have taken on the role of caring for him, and supporting his education is my top priority. By investing in his education, I aim to provide him with a brighter and more promising future."