"I have two children in school, and since they had outstanding fee balances, I decided to spend $44 to clear their fees. This was to ensure they wouldn’t be sent home due to the balances, allowing them to stay in class with their peers and not lose valuable time. I also purchased a goat for $22 as a step toward financial security. In addition, I plan to invest in more goats because they multiply quickly, and I can sell them to cover my children’s school fees once the transfers come to an end. I also spent $28 on food for the family, as we had none in the house. Lastly, I used the remaining $8 to buy two chickens for my poultry project. This project will also provide financial support in case of emergencies, as we can sell them to meet our family's needs."

"I have four children who are still in school: three in lower grades and one currently in secondary school. However, paying their fees on time has been a challenge for me, as I am the breadwinner and rely on small businesses that have not been doing well. As a result, they have frequently been sent home regularly due to accumulating arrears. To address this, I decided to allocate about $20 from each monthly transfer I receive from GiveDirectly so that my children can have a stable stay at school. Now, it’s much better; it's rare for them to be sent home as often as before, and they have even shown improvements in their performance. This has brought joy and hope back into my life, something I hadn’t felt in many years. Additionally, I used around $9 to buy two chickens, which I am now raising. I trust that they will help me in the future as they hatch and increase in number, providing a safety net in case of an emergency. Lastly, I used $33 to buy foodstuffs, which have sustained us during this period of ongoing drought. We have barely harvested anything as a family, and these meals have been a great help to us."

"I currently have five goats and two chickens, which bring me a lot of joy. My plan is to focus on buying more animals before my transfers come to an end. Once the goats multiply to a good number, I will sell them to purchase cows, which is my main goal. Cows are expensive, and I know I need to invest in goats first to afford them. I want to buy dairy cows because they will provide milk for both domestic and commercial use, generating income for my family. Additionally, I aim to expand our house by adding three rooms to create a better living space for my three childrens, as we currently live in just one room. Once I achieve my initial goal, I will use my transfers to buy building materials and any extra income I earn from my side hustles. I am very grateful to Give Directly for their financial support"

"In life, having essential skills is crucial for survival. I know that once I successfully complete driving classes and obtain my license, I will be able to secure a job, preferably driving trucks to transport goods. Currently, I am diligently saving $20 each month in our merry-go-round to enroll in a driving school, with the goal of gaining the expertise needed to operate large trucks. As a motorcycle rider and livestock keeper, I have five goats and chicken that I raise for future financial security. My plan is to let these animals breed, eventually selling them to fund the purchase of bulls and dairy cows. The bulls will help with land preparation, while the dairy cows will provide milk for both sale and personal use, such as making tea. The income generated will significantly improve my family's living standards. I also aspire to build a four-room house, as our current one-room home will soon be insufficient for my growing family. However, this project will come later, after I have successfully completed the initiatives I mentioned earlier."

"When I received my most recent transfers, it coincided with our planting season, and everyone was rushing to make the most of the little rain we had. In our area, the soil isn’t very fertile, so failing to use fertilizer means expecting low yields. I used part of my transfer of $34 to buy fertilizer for my seeds, ensuring a better harvest when the time comes. Farming is essential for our livelihood. I also have a poultry project with 20 chickens. I spent another $34 on chicken feed since we were running low. I wanted to make sure they had enough to eat, as I sometimes sell chicken for income during financial difficulties. This project is very important to me. With the remaining $34, I bought food for my family, as our supplies were running low."

"In the coming years, my plan is to lease land and continue farming, focusing on growing green grams. Around the middle of the year, we usually plant maize, as regulated by the Kenya Seed Board. However, after that, we are free to plant whatever we choose on our lands. For me, I want to dedicate my time and resources to green grams, which I believe will do well. Additionally, when I receive the next transfer, I plan to invest in poultry rearing. Selling chickens will provide extra income to manage my farm and help me complete projects like constructing an entry gate for my compound. I have a deep passion for farming, and these investments will help me grow and secure a better future for my family."

"As a tailor by profession, I used part of my most recent transfer to buy materials for my business, spending $25. I also purchased one chicken for $5 to start my poultry farming, which I see as a way to secure my financial future. If I encounter any financial challenges, I can sell some chickens to support myself. I paid $20 for house rent since I live away from home, and the payment date had already arrived. Additionally, I bought food for my family, spending $19 to ensure we have what we need. With our transfers coming to an end, I’m planning to invest in livestock, specifically goats, as a lasting reminder of the support from GiveDirectly hence the reason why I spent the remaining $14 to buy a gaot."

"My spouse works as a casual laborer, doing jobs like land cultivation to make a living. Additionally, I burn and sell charcoal to support our family. The support from Give Directly has significantly relieved us from financial burden. Our family relies on low-paying activities, and before Give Directly came to our village, there were times when my children would go to bed hungry due to lack of food. This has changed since we started receiving these transfers. With my recent transfer, I spent $30 to buy food for our family consumption, as we were running low on food. I also purchased seven iron sheets at 68% off because I am planning to build a new house. With the remaining $400, I bought chicken feeds for my chickens, as their supplies were running low."

"I had invested in poultry farming and was excited about the progress of my large flock of chickens. Unfortunately, a coccidiosis outbreak that struck our village devastated my business, leading to significant losses as I had to sell many chickens, while others sadly died. This experience was very painful which made me rethink my approach and consider a venture that is more resilient to our climate, less prone to disease, and easier to maintain. With this in mind, I decided to invest all $102 of my transfers into purchasing goats. I believe that maintaining goats is less costly, especially when it comes to feeds and medication compared to chickens. My hope is that these goats will multiply and increase in both number and value, providing me with a reliable source of income to support my children as they transition to higher levels of education. My plan is that once they multiply, I will sell the males and allow the females to continue to reproduce. I am grateful for the opportunities that GiveDirectly has provided for my family, and I remain optimistic about our future and the better days ahead."

"I run a vegetable selling business where I offer a variety of vegetables and have recently added charcoal to my inventory. To boost my business after a decline, I invested $24 from my GiveDirectly transfers to replenish my stock, and I'm pleased to see that it is now progressing well. With two children in school, I also spent $49 on their school fees and uniforms, ensuring they could attend school without interruption and look smart while doing so. Additionally, I contributed $14 to help my husband buy food for our family since our supplies were running low. To secure our future, I spent $10 to purchase two chickens with the hope that they will multiply. I plan to trade them for goats in the future, which I believe will provide a reliable source of income when needed. Finally, I treated myself to a new outfit for $5, as it had been a while since I had done something nice for myself."