"The cash transfer from GiveDirectly came at a time when I desperately needed help. I used $250 to buy six sheep, knowing they would multiply and provide a steady income when I sell them. This would help me cover emergencies and daily expenses. I also paid $100 for my children’s school fees, which was a huge relief, as I used to lease my land to pay for their education. My daughter had once been sent home for fees, which was a very painful experience. Furthermore, I bought a mattress and bed sheets for $50, as my children and I had been sleeping on a mat, which was very uncomfortable. The remaining $50 was used to buy food, ensuring that we had enough to eat for a while. Life has not been easy for us since my husband passed away a long time ago, and I’ve had to manage everything on my own. Before the transfer, I worked casual jobs, earning just $2 a day, which wasn’t enough to meet our basic needs.Despite the challenges, I am now able to care for my four children more comfortably. The sheep, school fees, and other purchases have already made a big difference in our lives. I feel more secure knowing I have assets and that my children can stay in school. I am thankful to GiveDirectly for this opportunity, as it has truly changed our lives for the better."

"In the coming years, I want to focus on farming to improve my family’s future. When I harvest my tomatoes, I plan to use the money to replant maize and buy livestock. The livestock will provide a source of income and security for us. Additionally, I will use some of the profits to pay the school fees for my children, ensuring they have a good education. I believe that by investing in farming and livestock, I can create a stable future for my family. My goal is to continue working hard and build a better life for all of us."

"When I receive my third transfer, I plan to use it to plant beans on my farm. Beans grow quickly and will give me a good harvest. Once I have the surplus, I intend to sell them next year. The money from the sale will be used to pay for my children's school fees, ensuring they can continue their education. This plan will help ease the financial burden of their schooling. I am hopeful that this investment in farming will not only provide for my family’s needs but also secure a better future for my children."

"I am currently enrolled in college, pursuing a diploma course in Early Childhood Development Education. I believe that enrolling in this program will open exciting new paths for my career and therefore I am committed to completing this course. I am meant to complete my studies in July next year and I am hopeful for the chance to secure a position with the County Government, which would provide the job security and growth I aspire for, especially compared to my current role within our community school where there is no job security. As I move forward, my primary focus is to continue dedicating all my transfers toward funding my education until I complete my studies. Once I complete my studies, I plan to start investing in livestock, starting with goats. My hope is that these goats will thrive and multiply, growing in both number and value. Thereafter, I plan to trade some of them to purchase cows that I will use to plow my farm. I am optimistic that these goats and cows will become valuable assets for my family and be a reliable source of support especially once this program concludes. I am deeply grateful for the assistance I receive from GiveDirectly. It has been an essential stepping stone toward my dreams, and with each step, I feel my aspirations coming closer to reality."

"When the money came, it was at night while I was sleeping. I checked my phone at 6am and saw the message. I became very happy and thought to myself that I would take some time to figure out the best way to use the money. The first thing that came to my mind was my child's school fees. I had some arrears, and I wanted to clear them so that my child could study peacefully without any disturbance. I felt relieved knowing that with this money, I could finally bring some peace to my home and focus on my child’s education without worrying about fees."

"I plan to use the money from selling my butternuts to pay my children's school fees, as they are about to join secondary school. If the crop does well, I will also save some of the earnings to open a business shop, which will help provide a steady income for my family. Additionally, I want to buy a water tank to ensure we have a reliable water source for both our farm and household needs. I hope that by doing this, I can create more opportunities for my family’s future. This plan will not only help my children get an education but also improve our living conditions. Overall, I am working hard to make sure we have a stable and secure life in the coming years."

"My plan is to become a successful large-scale farmer, growing maize, tomatoes, and vegetables on a bigger scale. I want to use the profits from my shop to invest in farming, so I can afford the seeds, equipment, and irrigation needed for a larger operation. Expanding my farm will help me earn more income and create a stable source of food and money for my family. I hope this will also allow me to provide a good education for my children and improve our quality of life. With time, I aim to grow my farm to be self-sustaining and profitable. Achieving this goal would mean more stability and security for us all in the coming years."

"In the coming years, I aim to focus on farming, using crop rotation to keep the soil healthy and productive. After each harvest, I plan to replant carefully, ensuring steady yields that will support my family. My goal is to save part of the income from every season, so I can consistently afford my children’s school fees without worry. Farming has always been my foundation, and I want it to continue as a stable source of both food and income. With this approach, I feel hopeful about securing a good future for my family. Providing for my children’s education is my priority, and I believe that through careful planning, I’ll be able to achieve it."

"The money arrived while I was sleeping, so I didn’t even realize it had come. Early in the morning, my son took my phone, checked it, and excitedly told me, "Mum, the GiveDirectly money has arrived!" Hearing those words filled me with relief and happiness. My son had been sent home from school because we couldn’t pay his fees, and he had already missed a full week of classes. I felt so much stress, not knowing how I could send him back. The very first thought that came to my mind was to use the money for his school fees so we could have peace at home and he could continue with his education."

"I am a widow with eight children, four of whom are married, leaving me to care for the other four. To provide for them, I do casual jobs such as charcoal burning and selling firewood. With my last three transfers totaling $102, I decided to make some important investments. I saved $40 at a local savings group, aiming to accumulate enough funds to renovate my house. The plan is to strengthen the house by adding pillars so that it can withstand the fierce winds we sometimes experience in our area. This is a priority for me because I want my children to have a safe home, regardless of the weather. After saving for the house, I spent $24 to buy food for my family, ensuring we had enough to eat. I also invested $13 in purchasing a young goat, which adds to my herd of three. Livestock is important for us, as it will help provide income in the future. Finally, I used $25 to pay school fees for my children. Education is a crucial part of their future, and I want to ensure they don’t miss out on their studies. These transfers have enabled me to meet our current needs while also planning for a better future."