"On December 13th, I was at home, sitting with my husband and our daughter, who is also my trusted helper, when I received the life-changing message confirming that I had received $550 from GiveDirectly. The excitement and gratitude that flooded over me were indescribable. With my husband and helper by my side, I immediately Imagined a brighter future. My first thought was to use the transfer to secure a piece of land, a dream that seemed unattainable until that moment. To mark this significant turning point in our lives, I couldn't contain my joy, so I decided to celebrate with my family by buying a chicken for supper. It was a simple yet profound gesture that symbolized the newfound hope and possibilities that the unconditional cash had brought into our lives."

"My ultimate goal is to ensure the completion of my education and pursue a teaching course—a dream that has been with me since childhood. To finance this aspiration, I plan to utilize subsequent transfers and generate funds by selling off my goats and chickens. Teaching is a noble profession, and being a teacher would fill me with great pride. I am happy that GiveDirectly is walking this journey with me, I will forever be indebted to them."

"I plan to allocate my transfers towards acquiring livestock, particularly goats and chickens, as I lack a stable source of income. Currently, I own two goats that I am diligently caring for, recognizing them as a reliable support system in times of need. The assistance from my children is limited due to their large families and engagement in manual labor. I see building my own assets, such as livestock, as a crucial safety net to address any future financial challenges that may arise."

"I spent 2000 KES on my 2 school going children – 1000 KES on uniform and another 1000 KES to pay their fee. So as to sustain their future,I also bought 3 chicken for each 350 KES."

"My plans for this year is to accumulate material wealth like goats and more chicken. At any given time of emergencies, I would be in a better position to overcome by disposing any of my assets to cash. This already means a stable future for my family of 3."

"One evening at six, I was at home with three of my six kids when I received $200 from GiveDirectly. It was a moment filled with joy, and I couldn't wait for the next morning to go to the nearby shopping center to cash out. The first thing that crossed my mind was tithing. I allocated $15 for this purpose, grateful for the blessing that had come my way. Next, I decided to address the living conditions for my kids. With $70, I purchased a chicken house, ensuring they now had a secure and comfortable space. Realizing the importance of providing for my family, I allocated another $70 for buying food. This not only filled our kitchen but also eased my worries about their well-being. In the spirit of spreading joy, I organized a Christmas party at home, making the festive season memorable for my children. Understanding the significance of sustainable income, I set aside $50 to invest in maize farming. This decision aimed to secure a future source of food and income for my family. With these thoughtful allocations, the impact of the GiveDirectly assistance went beyond immediate needs, creating a positive and lasting change in our lives."

"Facing financial constraints, I had to halt my tailoring course, but my determination for self-improvement drives me to resume and complete it in the coming years. Recognizing the potential for income, I plan to invest in poultry keeping, focusing on egg-laying chickens. This venture aims to supply eggs to our small town, generating funds to meet our basic needs. Additionally, I intend to channel more efforts into agriculture, specifically cultivating pepper, as it proves to be highly profitable in our local area. These strategic steps aim to not only enhance my skills but also create sustainable sources of income for a more secure future."

"I have a grocery stall that I set up using Givediorectly transfers. My husband is a motorcycle rider. We make a decent living though not sufficient to take care of the roof that needed replacement. The house needed ten of the roof replaced and only 4 are replace that means we have 6 more to buy which will need approximately $60 to buy. My plan is to slowly buy this roofing sheets over a period of time and then repairing the roof entirely. I also have plans of starting a chicken business and I hope to use this transfers to also achieve this goal."

"I have 8 children who are school going. This is a big number to manage with our finances as parents since our jobs/ business is unpredictable. I would want all of them to attend school and finish to a secondary level. I know that can only be made possible by increasing our income. We are starting a chicken business where we sell and buy chicken. I now have 15 chicken and this I hope to increase in number until I have more animals. I believe with this I will be able to increase my income and ensure I am able to take the children to school without a struggle."

"I am the second of 7 children. I am now a student in secondary school form 2.I do not have a source of income. My mother prepares and sells charcoal while my father is in the city where he is employed to sell water using a hand cart. My parents do not make much which means they struggle covering school fees for us. I have spent my transfers over the years helping them cover my school fees payments. In October I spent $20 on my own school fees and also paid school fees for my sibling using $10, In November I paid school fees for myself, and Sibling a similar amount to October while in December I paid the same amount I did in the previous months for myself and used the rest for my sibling who did not have the school fees. I also got some chicken in November at $4 while in October I spent the $4 buying food."