"We spent KES 35000 of our recent transfer on paying my university fee. I had deferred my studies for a year due to a lack of money for paying the fees. We had sold everything that we had, that is, cows and other valuables so that we could raise money for my university fees. There was hence nothing left to sell and we kept on wondering where we were going to get the money so that I could finish my studies. I am under a self-sponsorship program and that is why a lot of money was needed. My husband usually does casual labor to earn a living. He also at times does the business of buying and selling cows. The money that he gets is little and it is only enough for buying food. So when GiveDirectly came up with this program of helping the needy unconditionally, we saw the opportunity for me to finally finish my studies. We were owing to the university KES 57000 but we decided to pay first KES 35000 and use the rest of the money for our household needs. We bought a calf at KES 15000 and maize for our children's consumption with the remaining amount. We decided to buy the calf so that it can help us in the future when it matures. We are thus so much grateful to GiveDirectly for helping us."

"I am a motorcycle mechanic for 30 years and am a father of nine. From my job, I get KES 200 a day which has helped feed my family and school my kids over the years. I also do small-scale maize farming majorly for household consumption. When I received my transfers I spent KES 35,000 on the construction of a 15 Iron roofed house kitchen. This is because the previous one was old, grass-thatched, and was built over 20 years ago. Secondly, I spent KES 14,500 on a young bull. This is because there is enough grazing field and bulls grow fast than heifers. Hence one fully grown can be sold for a dairy cow which is a be a very good income source. Thirdly, I spent KES 7,800 on two tables sofa seats, and KES 2,400 on a mattress. This is because earlier I had an old table which was not compatible with the seats. Lastly, I also spent KES 8,000 on two bags of maize. This is because before I could only afford two kilos of maize each day from motorcycle mechanic work. So far we have consumed one and a half bags of maize meal and the remaining half can sustain us for the next two weeks."

"The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving the transfers is the purchase of a high-quality dairy cow. This means increased milk production hence increased daily income for my family."

"I am a trained tailor. I used to work in the trading center where I had rented a room. Since what I was getting was spent in providing for the family needs, I could not save towards paying rent and as a result I was forced to close the room and pack back home. In as much as I help my husband in looking after the three goats and two cows whenever he goes to seminars, my life as a house wife is not my choice. I am feeling wasted as my sewing skills deteriorate as days go by. I have tried several times to resume the work but financial instabilities have not allowed me."

"I have been a livestock keeper rearing cattle and goats. Unfortunately, prolonged drought swept away all the animals except two goats and a calf. I used to depend on selling milk for our livelihood and since the day I lost the cows, life has been difficult to an extent of failing to provide school fees and three meals for my five children. Since the drought is over, I will use the transfers to buy goats. I am planning to save 1000KES every month towards this goal. Otherwise the rest of the transfers will play a big role in ensuring my children get education as well as eat three meals a day."

"Initially before, this transfer I never owned any goat or any cow, life was not easy for me since I have children who are in school going and I have no job school fees were a big challenge to me.but I'm very grateful to give directly because the moment I received my first transfer I bought seven goats and one cow, In the near future I'll sell these domestic animal to pay for my children's school fees and also to start a business.I also spend the remaining balance to clear for the pending debts I heard borrowed previously to cater for my kid's school fees and foodstuffs."

"I invested KES 5,500 in starting a small grocery business where I am selling tomatoes, Sukuma wiki, Kales, and Spinach. This is my reliable source of income for my family. Previously, I was depending on charcoal burning, an activity that is very tiresome and has low returns. In addition, I bought 3 goats and one local dairy cow for KES 21,000 this was for boosting our livestock job for my husband. Furthermore, I used KES 6000 to clear the debt at the whereby shop where we had been taking foodstuff on credit. Also, I bought proper beddings for my 6 children who were sleeping on the floor with an old mattress that resulted in body pains after sleep. Lastly, I used KES 5000 to clear the fee arrear for my 6 children who are still in primary school."

"Towards the end of last year, we experienced an intense drought, hence our livestock could hardly get feed and water. As soon as the dry spell began, I decided to sell 15 out of the 20 cows I had at a lower price than the prevailing market price. Income from cattle sales helped me to acquire a new motorcycle which I bought on credit. By the end of March 2022, I had an outstanding debt of KES 10,000. When I received the transfer, I spent KES 2000 on paying part of that debt. I am glad that from the bodaboda business, I have been able to generate up to KES 500 per day. Thus I nowadays find it easy to support my family in buying food, clothes and paying school fees for my children."

"The biggest difference in my daily life since I received the transfers is owning a dairy cow. Initially, I had desired to buy one for the past three years but couldn't afford it. This will not only feed my family but also encourage me to do savings. Secondly, I am grateful because through the transfers my family is better dressed with the latest clothing fashion. This is contrary to earlier when I could only afford second-hand clothing."

"Rearing livestock has been my ambition for long. This is because the benefits of rearing livestock in my village are fascinating. I will start by buying 5 goats at an approximate total cost of KES 16,000. I will later exchange the goats for indigenous dairy cows once they multiply. The milk produced will serve two main purposes; for sale and for domestic consumption. This is the only formula I am planning to invent to deceit from engaging in the energy draining charcoal burning profession which is no longer sustainable given that the number of charcoal producers in the village is very high. I will use the surplus from the transfers to educate my children in secondary school."