"When I am blessed to receive money, my first goal is to purchase my own land. Currently, I am leasing the land for farming, and it is very costly. Leasing each year adds up, making it difficult to sustain my farming efforts. I plan to focus on large-scale farming, where I can plant a variety of crops such as vegetables, beans, and watermelons. This will not only provide food for my family but also create a source of income. By investing in my own land, I believe I can build a better future for myself and my family."

"Investing in my family’s education has always been a priority, so I used $200 from my cash transfer to pay school fees for my five children. Normally, I would have had to sell livestock to cover the costs, but this time, receiving the money allowed me to avoid that difficult choice. Knowing my children’s education is secured for now brings me peace of mind and helps me focus on other areas of our lives.In addition to covering school fees, I allocated $230 to farming. My husband and I decided to plant two acres of watermelon and beans, as we believe these crops have the potential for a good profit. Farming is our main source of income, and by growing crops that sell well, we hope to recover from the setbacks caused by the recent floods, which damaged our land and made life tougher. We’re hopeful that this season’s harvest will not only sustain us but also improve our financial standing.The remaining $20 went towards purchasing food, as we had very little at home. With our main focus on farming and sometimes burning charcoal for extra income, having this extra support for groceries has been a relief. Thanks to this transfer, we’re able to sustain ourselves through this challenging period, and I feel optimistic about the future. It has made a big difference in our lives and has encouraged us to keep working toward a better future."

"When I received my cash transfer, the first thing I thought of was expanding my small house. The roof was made of only four iron sheets, which made it cramped for our family. With $155, I bought six more iron sheets and nails and paid for labor to expand the house. I also added two more iron sheets to the roof, making the house much more spacious. Additionally, I spent $180 to buy three sheep. I wanted an investment that would constantly remind me of the support I received from GiveDirectly. These sheep represent a future source of income for us, and I am committed to taking good care of them. Food has always been a challenge for us, especially after we lost all our crops to the floods. My husband and I try to produce charcoal, but it’s not a reliable source of income. So, I used $63 to buy two bags of maize and set aside $10 for milling, which will sustain us for a while. I also decided to spend $30 to buy new clothes for each member of my family. It’s been a long time since we were able to do that because most of our income went toward immediate needs like food. Lastly, I spent the remaining $12 on household items like utensils and water containers, which we didn’t have enough of before. I am grateful for the changes this transfer has brought to our lives."

"When I received my recent transfers, I spent $57 to pay fees and buy books for my two children in primary school, as these items were essential for their education under the CBC curriculum. Additionally, I used $45 to purchase food for family consumption since we had none at home. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for helping ease my financial burden, especially with school fees for my six children. To support my family, I take on various casual jobs, including burning and selling charcoal and fetching water for people. This support has been invaluable in helping me provide for my children's basic needs."

"I want to express my gratitude to GiveDirectly for their financial support, which has significantly eased my financial challenges, especially when it comes to paying my children's school fees. With my latest transfer, I allocated $14 to cover their fees so they wouldn't miss school due to outstanding balances. I also purchased two goats for $42 to help ensure future financial security once these transfers come to an end. Additionally, I spent $21 on water and food since we were running low at home. With the remaining funds, I bought a pair of shoes for $5, and I also invested in new school uniforms for my five children because their old ones were worn out."

"My goal is to revive my restaurant, where I used to serve a variety of dishes like chapatis, beans, tea, and ugali. Running my own business is more fulfilling than working for someone else, as it allows me to invest extra effort into ensuring its success. Currently, I am doing hairdressing at clients' homes for a small fee after having to close down the restaurant due to several challenges. I am determined to bring the restaurant back to life, fulfilling my entrepreneurial dreams. The prolonged drought led to a severe water shortage, forcing me to temporarily close the restaurant. The nearest water source was far from my shop, and water was being sold at $0.55 per 20-liter container, making it unsustainable to keep the business running. This situation caused losses and reduced customer visits. However, I am planning to reopen the restaurant soon. Until then, I am sustaining myself by offering hairdressing services to clients in their homes."

"I am a farmer, and this is my main source of income. However, in the past, I planted crops without considering several important factors, like market demand, because I didn't have the necessary irrigation equipment. As a result, I limited myself to short-cycle crops and those that required little water. Now that I have bought a generator, I am planning to expand my farming operations. I used to plant only on 1 to 1.5 acres, despite having a larger tract of land, but with the generator, I plan to increase this to over 3 acres. I also intend to be more strategic in choosing which crops to plant, focusing on marketable and profitable varieties. To achieve this, I will use my final transfer to cover the expansion costs and undergo farmer training to help me acquire new skills and become a more professional farmer, better equipped to succeed in the future."

"I am a fisherman and for the longest time I have been using a hand made canoe to fish. Recently, the water levels in the lake have risen making it difficult to manuvour hence a reduction in the quantity. Also, getting raw materials for making a bigger one has been hindered by floods. This has greatly reduced the amount of money I earn hence hindering my plans."

"Upon receiving my latest transfer of $450 from GiveDirectly, I immediately took action to support my family. I used $210 to pay the school fees for two of my children, who were on the verge of being sent home due to unpaid fees. Thankfully, since I made this payment, they have been able to continue their education without interruption, and I am very grateful to GiveDirectly for that. Next, I invested $100 in buying watermelon seeds and paying for the labor needed for planting. I planted melons on two acres of land because this crop thrives in our area and fetches good prices in the market. I plan to use the proceeds from the harvest to boost my existing business and purchase more assets that I currently do not have. Additionally, I spent $50 on food for my family to ensure we have enough to eat at home. The remaining money went towards our daily household needs, helping us maintain a stable and comfortable living environment. I feel hopeful about the future, thanks to the support from GiveDirectly."

"Now that I have a generator, my goal is to buy more pipes so I can pump water from a longer distance. This will allow me to irrigate my farm more effectively and help ensure that my farming venture is sustainable. I am excited about the possibilities this brings, as it will improve my crop yields and provide more food for my family. The thought of expanding my farming capabilities fills me with joy, and I feel hopeful about the future. I am incredibly grateful to GiveDirectly for their support, which has made this life upgrade possible."