"With the recent $450 I received from GiveDirectly, I made thoughtful allocations to improve our present and future. I invested $150 to purchase a cow. The idea behind this decision was to save money on buying milk regularly, making it a cost-effective choice for the long term. To further ensure a sustainable future, I spent $90 on goats. This investment aims for multiplication over time, providing a lasting source of support for my family. Recognizing the importance of education, I allocated $200 for the school fees of my sister, who is in her second year at the university. This decision is an investment in her future and the overall well-being of our family. Each allocation reflects a thoughtful choice to enhance our present and build a better tomorrow."

"In the upcoming year, with the cash transfers I am receiving, my primary goal is to construct a modern house that can withstand the challenges of varying weather conditions, providing a secure and comfortable shelter for my family.Simultaneously, I aim to expand my goat flock and acquire a cow, envisioning a sustainable income source that will outlast the duration of the program. While I have a multitude of aspirations, I recognize the importance of pacing myself and taking gradual steps toward these goals, ensuring each endeavor is executed thoughtfully and effectively. With the support of the unconditional cash transfers, I am optimistic about the positive transformations that lie ahead for my family and me."

"Allocating $34 from the transfers, I intend to embark on a house-painting project. Having recently completed the construction of my stone-walled house, I aim to enhance its aesthetic appeal by applying paint to both the inner and outer walls. Additionally, I invested in the construction of a new shelter for my goats to safeguard them from adverse weather conditions and potential theft. This endeavor involved utilizing the $34 from the transfers, along with some additional funds, to create a secure space for the 80 goats currently in my possession. During the festive month of December, I dedicated $34 to purchasing food for my family, celebrating Christmas, and welcoming the New Year. As a livestock and crop farmer, I express gratitude for the financial support received through the transfers, which has significantly contributed to the expansion of my livestock holdings. Currently, I manage a herd of 80 goats, 20 cows, and 20 hens. The income generated from the livestock has not only supported my agricultural ventures but has also played a crucial role in sponsoring my son's university education."

"Dependent on the charcoal burning business, my weekly income of $5 was barely enough to cover my basic needs. This worsened when the Kenyan government declared charcoal burning illegal, forcing me to curtail my activities to avoid legal repercussions. This diminished my income. Receiving the transfer offered me an opportunity for a lasting change. I used $356 to purchase a cow, three hens, and two goats, marking the beginning of a livestock-rearing project. Livestock keeping is a viable livelihood in this region, especially given the ability of these animals to thrive in a dry climate like ours. I am optimistic that their numbers will grow through reproduction, providing a sustainable source of income. I plan to sell them periodically to meet my basic needs and contribute to my children's education. With two children set to join high school for their secondary education, ensuring timely payment of their school fees is crucial to preventing any disruption in their education. Despite the challenges, including the separation from my two children and their mother due to financial constraints, I am determined to fulfill my promise of not letting their studies be affected by a lack of school fees. Allocating $16.5, I bought new clothes for myself, replacing the old ones used during special occasions. I used the remaining funds to buy enough food, ensuring that I did not go hungry, especially as my income source became more irregular."

"My major goal is to build my mother a more spacious house, with a special section dedicated to a kitchen, providing her with the comfort she deserves. The current living conditions have been challenging and it will be a tangible expression of gratitude for my mother's sacrifices. Additionally, I aim to invest buying in a dairy cow, and capitalize on the demand for milk in the village due to persistent droughts. I'm so grateful, GiveDirectly transfers are transforming our lives."

"GiveDirectly transfers have been a game-changer for my family. I accumulated a portion of the transfer and bought a dairy cow for $130. In a household where my husband runs a motorbike business, earning around $6, which is often insufficient to meet our needs, the cash transfers provided a vital boost. I also used $6 a part of the amount to pay school fees for my four children, ensuring their education continues uninterrupted. Engaging in dairy farming now generates a steady income of $1.2 a day. The additional income has not only contributed to our financial stability but also allowed us to fulfill our responsibilities, such as completing my husband's motorbike loan. We are grateful for the opportunities and improvements these transfers have provided us with."

"A modern bed and a mattress are things that I consider worthy to focus on once I receive this money. What I have wanted most is to ensure I live my old age peacefully. My current bed is made of ropes and I use rugged sacks as my beddings. This is a situation that I have wished to change and I intend to spend $200 of the money to make this desire come to a reality. On the other hand, I will renovate my house by reinforcing its walls with cement and stones, also I will smooth-finish the floor. This will cost me utmost $400 of the transfers. Part of the transfers ($200) will help me to buy 1 indigenous dairy cow to act as my long-term project while the remaining amount will support me in installing a solar panel for lighting at home. This will bring peace to my life and generally, this is what receiving this money means to me."

"My son who luckily completed form four last year has remained jobless and this has pushed him to seek casual jobs in Mombasa. Since I aimed to ensure he acquires skills to fit him in the job market, I intend to support him in joining an electrical course. This will equip him with the best skills to enable him to get a reliable job that will support my family in the future. To ensure this comes to reality, I will spend $500 of the money to help him achieve his goals. On the other hand, I will buy 2 indigenous dairy cows at $300 which will act as my long-term investment plan for the family. What a happy life to achieve my ambitions!"

"As an unskilled person, the only investment I can comfortably start is livestock keeping. This is because I already have experience with this project. Having this kind of investment will mean a better livelihood in the future since I will be able to cater to any emergency. To start with, I intend to spend $200 of my money to buy 1 indigenous dairy cow that will breed to earn me profit. On the other hand, I will also buy a piece of land at $500, to help me to have fertile land for farming because the one I am currently using is no longer productive. The remaining amount will help my son to join a technical school to get some skills. This is basically what receiving this money means to me."

"I was at home then I saw a message, rushed to withdraw and immediately bought 2 cows"