"My wish of providing my family with better housing was almost becoming futile, but GiveDirectly made it possible. My family lives in a very unconducive house, which makes me sad all the time because the state is very bad. With GiveDirectly, I have been able to purchase some iron sheets bit by bit while storing them until I get the required quantity. My target is to get 24 iron sheets for me to build a bigger house. I therefore used $75 of my transfers to buy 6 additional iron sheets, bringing them to a total of 13. I know I still have a long way to go, but I know I will make it, and this makes my family and I excited. I then used $17 to pay school fees for my children. This way, they will not be sent home to collect school fees. Finally, I used the remaining $12 to buy 4 chickens. With the chickens multiplying faster, it is easy to sell some and address pressing issues whenever need arises."

"Relying solely on selling charcoal has been hard, especially with fewer trees around. But thankfully, GiveDirectly's monthly help has been like a rope thrown in a stormy sea. With $34 in January, I bought seven chickens for $20. This not only could bring in money by selling chicks but also gave us another way to make a living, reducing our need for charcoal. With the $14 left, I helped my grandson pay for school. Education means the world to me, and seeing him back in class filled me with hope. In February, I used $30 of the transfer to buy a she-goat. Goats are tough and give milk and babies we can sell. With the $4 left, I got sugar for my family. It might not seem like much, but not having to worry about basic things feels like a big weight lifted. A cup of tea in the morning feels like a slice of normal life. In March, I gave my son $30 to renew his driving license, giving him a chance to source for job opportunities. I used the $4 left to get another chicken, adding to our hope for a better future. Thanks to GiveDirectly, we're slowly stepping out of poverty's shadow."

"Life's challenges have been relentless for my family. Juggling as a father of three, I have been relying on casual labor jobs to keep food on our table. Yet, these opportunities are decreasing, leaving me with no recourse but to resort to charcoal burning, despite the scarcity of trees. Thanks to the GiveDirectly series of transfers, giving us hope for our future. From the $102 received in the last three transfers, I earmarked $60, saving $20 from each to venture into my dream of livestock farming, envisioning it as a sustainable income source in the long haul. Simultaneously, I allocated $10 to cater to my children's school fees, recognizing education as pivotal for their future success. Witnessing them settled in school fills me with immense pride and relief. I directed a portion of $23 for food for our household, ensuring our basic needs were met. Thereafter, I invested $9 in agriculture, purchasing feed for my chicken. Reflecting on how I allocated these recent transfers, I feel grateful and optimistic. GiveDirectly's assistance has paved the way for my children's education, secured our meals, and fueled the growth of my poultry."

"For quite some time, the weight of grief and hardship has been my constant companion since the passing of my husband. The collapse of our home only added to the burden, forcing me to live in a makeshift shelter that offered little protection from the elements. The indignity of relying on relatives for refuge compounded the pain, leaving me feeling like a burden. But amidst the struggle, there was a glimmer of hope in the form of the unconditional cash transfers from GiveDirectly. With each monthly instalment, I saw an opportunity to reclaim some semblance of stability for myself and my children. The first priority was securing materials to build a new home where we could find solace and security. Investing approximately $55 in iron sheets was a crucial step towards this goal, laying the foundation for a brighter future. However, setbacks loomed large as my attempts at poultry farming ended in tragedy. The loss of the chickens to disease was a heavy blow, but it didn't extinguish my resolve. Amidst this hardship, my own health took a turn for the worse, landing me in a battle with stomach ulcers. The diagnosis was daunting, but the access to better medication through cash transfer brought a glimmer of hope. With the remaining funds, I prioritized the sustenance of my family, ensuring we had enough food to nourish both body and spirit."

"I have been surviving on menial jobs, including doing construction work for years to make a living and educating my two children in college. Their educational journey has not been easy, and at times I failed to raise their fees on time, causing them to stay home before I could pay. As a parent, my main goal has always been to ensure that my children achieve their educational goals. Receiving my first transfer of $200 brought me great relief, as I could pay for their tuition fees on time. They can now continue with their studies without any interruptions due to fees. I am no longer engaging in casual jobs, currently doing subsistence farming in the village and I am happy that the transfer has catered for my children's education. In addition to paying fees, I also acquired six goats and six chickens for $230, which I am currently keeping in my homestead. These are assets that I can sell to cater to my financial needs, such as paying fees for my children. I previously had some livestock, but I had to sell them to raise fees for my children. These new assets will allow me to breed and multiply them to sell or exchange them for a dairy cow. I also spent $30 on hiring a tractor since it was the planting season. I paid for the services to ensure timely land preparation and cultivation. My acreage was fully utilised, and I am hoping for a good harvest. The remaining amount was spent on buying foodstuffs for my family and some household items, such as utensils that were lacking."

"I have the sole responsibility of taking care of my school-going children while my spouse works away in Mombasa. Thus, upon receiving my recent transfers, I prioritized allocating $48 towards paying their school fees promptly to ensure their education wasn't disrupted. With the remaining funds, I invested $20 in hiring farm labor during the land cultivation season to secure our agricultural activities. Furthermore, I purchased food essentials worth $15 for my family's sustenance, saved $10 in our merry-go-round group, and acquired two chickens at $5 each for domestic rearing. This support has significantly lightened my financial burdens, for which I am deeply grateful."

"My dream is to expand my goat herd and purchase chickens. I believe this will be crucial for my financial security, especially after the GiveDirectly project concludes. By growing my flock, I aim to become self-sufficient, ensuring I can meet emergencies and support my family's needs. I also plan to save and invest in more livestock, aiming to reach at least 20 goats. Eventually, I hope to exchange some of these goats for a cow, which will provide milk for personal use and an additional source of income. I rely on the support I receive from my salary and the assistance from GiveDirectly to make these dreams a reality."

"In the future, I plan to improve my family's life. I want to start a business selling omena to earn money. This will help me provide for my family's needs and give us a stable income. With the profits, I also hope to buy some chickens for additional income and to have fresh eggs. As my goats multiply, my dream is to exchange some of them for two plows to till the land. This way, I can cultivate more and even rent out the ploughs to others for extra money. I'm excited about these goals because they will bring financial stability and opportunities for a better future for my family."

"The family hardly eats delicious food. We take such a good day during the first year festival. However on May 1st we slaughtered two chickens and celebrated. This brought happiness in my life."

"In the coming year and beyond, my focus is on investing in livestock, particularly goats and chickens. Relying on subsistence farming has left me without a reliable source of income to meet my needs. There have been distressing moments when I couldn't afford school fees for my son, which pushed me to borrow from neighbors and accumulate debt. With livestock, I see an opportunity to generate income by selling them, alleviating the need for borrowing in the future. Currently, I own three goats and five chickens, and I aim to expand my livestock holdings further. Recently, I joined a merry-go-round with seven members, intending to use the accumulated funds to purchase more livestock when it's my turn. This proactive step aligns with my long-term goal of achieving financial stability through livestock farming, ensuring a more secure future for myself and my family."