"I operate a motorcycle taxi, commonly known as a boda boda, but the business has been struggling to provide for my family of four for quite some time. I am currently employed by an individual who owns the motorcycle, and we typically share the earnings at the end of each day. The coming of this organization to our village has been a significant relief for me. The guaranteed monthly transfers allow me to save money, an option previously unavailable. Out of the transfers, $90 has been allocated to my savings account at a local bank, a milestone that will enable me to access loan facilities once I reach the required amount. The remaining $12 was wisely invested in purchasing chickens and ducks, which are more liquid assets and can be sold quickly in emergencies compared to goats. I plan to utilize these poultry for investment purposes. I am content with the progress I have made so far, and I eagerly look forward to the opportunities the future will bring."

"In the past month, we have experienced frequent rains in my village, and it motivated me to prepare my land for the upcoming planting season. At that time, I did not have enough funds to plow the two acres, so I used $34 from the cash transfers to cover the cost and ensure my land was ready for planting. This allowed me to plant maize, and I'm pleased that the crops are growing well. Additionally, I invested $24 to purchase a goat. I'm excited to have two goats now from the cash transfers, one of which is already pregnant. I believe that by raising goats, I can sell them in the future to support the education of my five children. This will be a significant relief to my husband, who works as a motorbike taxi rider to provide for our family. To further expand my livestock holdings, I also allocated $10 to buy a duck and $9 for two chickens. I directed $15 towards reducing the tuition debts of my five children, ensuring they can continue attending school without interruptions. The remaining $10 was used for purchasing food and covering the transportation costs for bringing maize from the farm to my home. Since the farm is located at a considerable distance from our home, we needed assistance with transporting the produce."

"I'm extremely thankful for the cash transfers because they have been a crucial support, filling a gap that my husband and I might have struggled to bridge. His job as a motorbike taxi rider and my small business of making and selling donuts often don't generate enough income to cover our basic needs, particularly when it comes to the school fees for our six children. Most of the cash transfers have been primarily allocated to this purpose in the last three months. I used $49 from the cash transfers to pay various school fees for the children, including boarding, meals, and tuition fees. I'm delighted that the children have been able to continue their education without interruptions, and they are making good progress in school.  Additionally, I managed to save $20 through a savings club, specifically for my eldest daughter, Mvera, who is currently in grade eight and will be joining high school next year. My goal is to accumulate enough funds to cover her admission fees when the time comes. I also invested $14 to boost my small business, which led to an increase in profits. I'm pleased that my weekly profit doubled from $3 to $6, making it easier for me to provide for my family. Moreover, I used some of the cash transfers to purchase three chickens and pay for the plowing of my farm, as the rainy season had just begun, and I wanted to start planting. The cash transfers have made all of this possible, and I couldn't be more grateful."

"I've always desired to have a more spacious house, but the lack of finances has been a significant obstacle. My family, consisting of my husband and three children, currently resides in a one-room structure and I feel it lacks enough space and privacy. Our weekly income of $10, earned from the casual jobs of making and selling charcoal, is primarily allocated to meet basic needs like food and school fees for our children. However, things started becoming better in July of this year, as we were approaching the harvest season. At that point, I began saving $20 from each month’s transfer through a self-help group with the hope of accumulating sufficient funds to contribute to the construction of a two-room house. After saving, I allocate $10 from the funds towards the monthly school fees to cover tuition for that specific month, ensuring that my children can continue their studies without interruptions. Over the past three months, I have also been using the remaining $4 to purchase chickens, and I currently have five chickens. I plan to rear them, so I can sell them in the future to support my family's needs in case of emergencies."

"I earn a living by selling herbal traditional toothbrushes, but my business has been struggling to support my family adequately. Despite the challenges, I'm delighted to share that your transfers have brought us some much-needed relief. Thanks to this support, I was able to expand my existing business by adding more stock, and I also invested in purchasing goats, which has bolstered my livestock holdings. With the transferred funds, I wisely allocated $98 to acquire three goats and four chickens, which I plan to raise. I believe this will serve as a promising start for my animal rearing venture, offering substantial returns once they reach maturity. I used the remaining $4 to further stabilize my business by increasing its stock. I am profoundly grateful to GiveDirectly for the significant strides I've been able to make in my life."

"GiveDirectly has profoundly transformed my life in ways I could have never imagined. I am delighted to report that these financial transfers have enabled me to not only complete the construction of my home but also furnish it. In the past, I relied on selling pastries in my village, but regrettably, I had to discontinue that business due to health issues. Out of the funds I received, I allocated $34 to cover medical expenses incurred during my childbirth at Kilifi hospital. Additionally, I used $20 to assist my brother in settling his school fees arrears, preventing his expulsion from school. Another $14 went towards the purchase of two chickens that I intend to rear. The remaining amount was handed over to my husband, contributing to his savings, which he utilized to acquire a motorcycle. I am overjoyed that these transfers have made the seemingly impossible dream of owning a motorcycle a reality for us."

"My current objective is to successfully complete the driving course I recently enrolled in. My aim is to acquire valuable driving skills that will allow me to earn a steady income rather than relying primarily on sporadic construction jobs. To achieve this, I need to settle an outstanding tuition fee of $200, which is a prerequisite for continuing the course. I intend to allocate my earnings towards this payment. Obtaining these driving skills will not only reduce my dependence on casual labor but also open up opportunities for employment as a driver. In addition to this pursuit, I am currently managing a poultry project with 24 birds. I plan to invest further in this project and, down the line, sell the chickens to fund the establishment of a shop business. My ultimate aspiration is to establish a stable and income-generating endeavor that will grant me self-reliance and self-employment. This will enable me to meet my financial needs with ease."

"My ultimate goal is to own goats. I've been trying to keep chickens, but they often succumb to coccidiosis. I bought two hens with the cash transfers, and they also fell victim to the disease. This has discouraged me from continuing to raise poultry. I believe that goats have a better survival rate and are more resilient, which is why I'm now focusing on them. I aim to build wealth by raising goats so that when the transfers end, I can sell them to support my children's education."

"My husband is the primary provider, and he sells chickens during open-air market days. However, his earnings are inconsistent, and there are days when he returns home without any income. The cash transfers have been a significant help in providing for our children's education and putting food on the table for our family. From the recent cash transfers, I used $20 to pay the school fees for my three children in primary school and $35 for the one in secondary school. There were outstanding debts from previous months, and they were frequently sent home from school. I'm delighted that by clearing these balances, they could continue their education without any interruptions. I also allocated $20 to buy a goat. I'm pleased to say that I now have two goats, and I'm confident they will reproduce in the future. I can sell them to generate funds for my children's education. Additionally, I spent $10 to purchase a piece of iron sheet. With this acquisition, I now have five iron sheets, and my goal is to accumulate enough to build a new house. The remaining money from the transfers was used to buy food. The cash transfers have been instrumental in supporting my children's education and allowing me to obtain goats, and I couldn't be more grateful."

"I have been diligently allocating all the financial support I receive towards covering the educational expenses of my children. Among them, one is pursuing a high school education, while the others are in primary school. My source of income primarily hinges on casual jobs at construction sites, an occupation that is inherently uncertain. I, personally, faced the unfortunate circumstance of discontinuing my own education, and it remains my unwavering aspiration to ensure that my children do not encounter a similar setback. Despite the financial constraints I grapple with, I am resolute in my determination to enable them to attain their educational goals. Additionally, I have plans to invest in livestock, particularly chickens, as I believe they can serve as a valuable supplement to my modest earnings from these irregular construction jobs. This endeavor represents an opportunity to enhance our financial stability and overall well-being."