"I am a widow of two children . I live with one the other one is living in a nother location. I do casual jobs earning approximately $30 per month which caters for food only. Casual jobs are tedious with very low income that I cannot investment in any sustainable project. My community has been under drought for the past three years now making crop farming very difficult. I will use $1000 to buy generator and water pipes to go do irrigation along river Galana. This will bring sustainable food security to the family and also sell to the community and earn income."

"In the upcoming year and beyond, my primary objective is to construct a sturdy and secure house. Currently, my existing house has suffered damage due to strong winds, resulting in a partially blown away roof. Whenever it rains, I am left dismayed as water seeps into the house, causing destruction to my belongings. Building a new house has long been a cherished aspiration, but the persistent grip of poverty has hindered its realization. Despite the challenges I face, I find solace and gratitude in the financial assistance I have received. This support has been particularly crucial during difficult times when I required medical attention and hospitalization. It provided me with the means to navigate through those challenging circumstances, and I am sincerely thankful for it. With the continued aid and support, I hope to overcome the barriers that poverty has imposed on my dreams and aspirations, and finally achieve the goal of building a safe and comfortable home."

"I am delighted to share that the financial support I have received has propelled me towards achieving greater financial independence. I am now able to meet my daily needs, such as purchasing food and water, without relying on external assistance. My aspirations extend further, as I aim to enhance my financial situation through investments in livestock. By acquiring livestock, I anticipate their multiplication, which will provide me with additional resources to address any future challenges that may arise. The support I have received has had a profound impact on my life, and I am filled with happiness and gratitude for the opportunities it has provided. It has enabled me to take significant steps towards securing a better future for myself, and I am excited to continue this journey of progress and self-sufficiency."

"At the moment, I believe that livestock ownership is the most promising venture for me, primarily because it is relatively easy to manage. I currently have a small poultry flock and one sheep, but financial constraints have prevented me from expanding my livestock holdings. For a considerable period, I struggled with severe food shortages, largely due to prolonged drought conditions. Most of my income was devoted to purchasing food and water, leaving no room for investments in livestock. However, a positive turn of events occurred recently when I successfully cultivated my five-acre plot of land and reaped a bountiful harvest. With food security no longer a pressing concern, I am now in a position to allocate my monthly transfers towards acquiring livestock, with a particular focus on goats that have the potential to multiply over time. This strategic livestock investment will not only help me address my financial obligations but also secure my future. I intend to save a portion of my monthly income to gradually build up my livestock assets"

"With the recent transfers I received, I ventured into a small business selling essential household commodities such as sugar, maize flour, and silver cyprinid. This business provides me with an opportunity to generate income that supports my family's well-being. Previously, I used to prepare and sell chapati, a popular dish in our village. However, due to the high cost of cooking oil, the profitability of that business diminished. Additionally, I allocated $20 towards paying my son's secondary school fees. I am delighted that he is currently enrolled in school, able to continue his studies without any interruptions caused by outstanding fees. Furthermore, I used a portion of the transfers to purchase new school uniforms and bags for both of my children, which will assist them in carrying their books to and from school. During the rainy season, I also invested $5 in hiring someone to help weed my farm. This decision significantly contributed to achieving a bountiful harvest. I am incredibly grateful for the financial support provided, as it has enabled both my husband and me to address most of our needs. My husband works as a casual laborer, earning a living by selling water in Mombasa town. The transfers have allowed us to collaborate and support each other in managing our family's expenses. Overall, I am thankful for the opportunities these transfers have brought, empowering us to improve our livelihoods and pursue a better future for ourselves and our children."

"I have been the sole breadwinner for my family since the month of April. My husband working in town fell ill and came back home to rest and recover but he is yet to fully recover and resume work. I help people fetch water for a living which makes so little I can only carry a 20L Jerry can at a time and it only pays about 20 cents. I do not make enough to meet all my families needs and hence receiving Givedirectly transfers has provided a lifeline for my family. I have afforded to pay school fees for the children as a result of the transfers in July I paid $10 to school for the four children, in August I paid $20 for all of them and $15 in September. I have as well been able to pay off debts accrued in shops to ensure my family accessed food, in July I paid $24 to the shopkeeper which reduced my debt, in September I cleared a pending debt of $10. I also bought an iron sheet at $9.5 in August."

"I am the second-born in a family of seven children, and my parents have worked tirelessly to ensure that my siblings and I receive an education despite our financial challenges. Despite my mother's unemployment and my father's occupation of selling water in town, my family's commitment to education is unwavering. I recently completed secondary school, but my dream of attending college has been hampered by financial constraints. Thanks to the transfers, I invested $25 in purchasing five chickens, which I intend to raise until they reach maturity. The plan is to sell them when I eventually go to college, providing me with a source of income for any necessary expenses. Additionally, I allocated the remaining $77 from the transfers to clear my siblings' school fees arrears. They had been sent home due to accumulated debts, and it brings me immense joy to report that these transfers have not only helped me but also my family in settling our outstanding debts, providing much-needed relief for my family."

"When I began receiving the cash transfers, my desire was to use the funds to buy goats. However, due to the hardships we were facing, such as a lack of food and water, I had to postpone this plan until we were in a better position to afford livestock. Fortunately, the recent rainy season brought relief from the long drought, allowing us to grow enough food to last several months. With this improved situation, I decided it was time to fulfill my goal of acquiring livestock. I spent $50 to purchase two goats and bought two hens for $10. I'm thrilled to finally own livestock, as I know they will be valuable assets in the future. I can sell them to meet my needs and provide for my child. I also allocated $14 to replenish the stock for my donut-making business, which had fallen behind in terms of items like wheat flour. As this is my sole source of income as of now, am sure that buying more stock will increase the profits and keep it running. Additionally, I saved $10 after spending another $18 on food items. My aim is to accumulate enough funds to start a business of buying and selling charcoal."

"With the financial support I receive, I allocate a portion of my transfers to cover my own school fees. Additionally, I use a portion to contribute towards the school fees of my three younger siblings. The remainder is utilized to purchase food and pay for my accommodation near the school. My mother works as a peasant farmer, while my father earns a living as a casual laborer, selling water on the streets of Mombasa. Unfortunately, he was recently attacked by individuals and is currently at home recovering. After completing my primary education in 2020, I faced the harsh reality of poverty at home, which prevented me from joining secondary school. However, I made the decision to return to school and rejoined class seven, hoping that by the time I finished my primary education, there would be a ray of hope that I could join secondary school. In 2022, I completed primary school for the second time, but the financial situation remained challenging. To generate income, I began raising livestock for others. Thankfully, I was enrolled in the Give Directly program, and I seized the opportunity to finance my own secondary education while also sponsoring my younger siblings' schooling. The support I have received has brought me immense happiness and gratitude. It has not only enabled me to continue my education but has also instilled hope within me to strive towards achieving my goals in the future."

"In addition to providing financial support for my son's education, I am determined to expand my agricultural venture by cultivating watermelons. At present, I sell the watermelons locally due to the limited harvest, resulting in modest income. However, I aspire to purchase high-quality seeds that yield better results, even though they come at a higher cost. With the financial boost from the transfers, I am hopeful that I will be able to manage this investment. The success of this endeavor would not only bring in substantial profits but also significantly improve my quality of life, enabling me to support my son's education beyond secondary school"