"As a small-scale farmer, I faced some challenges, but the quarterly transfers from GiveDirectly helped me address them. I used $9 to buy medicine for my goats, who were suffering from lung infections; although some didn't make it, I managed to save three, hoping they'd multiply and become a financial asset. With $12, I invested in chickens, anticipating their growth to support me in the future. Then, I was assigned $20 to construct a toilet for myself, as my old one had collapsed due to heavy rains, leaving me with no place for relief. Additionally, I set aside another $20 to add to my savings, with the goal of exchanging it for a cow. My chest problems limit my ability to work, so I rely on my son for daily meals, making these transfers a crucial support in my life."

"My first priority is to go for medication when I receive the transfers. I will set aside KES 20000 for medication. I will also ensure that I budget KES 10000 to stock food and buy beddings for my family. I am approaching old age and this is worrying me since I have no savings nor investment. With the transfer I plan to invest KES 40000 on livestock farming. I will buy five goats and a cow. This will help me not to struggle in the future."

"My son is his second year in college pursuing his dreams. For a couple of months now, my transfers has come in handy in paying for his college fee and also in investing on poultry project which I started a year ago. With my most recent transfers, I spent $ 40 on paying school fees for my son and $12 on the purchase of four hens. My ultimate goal is to buy a cow after some time. Since I cannot afford to buy it at once, I settled on having a poultry project that will earn me some income as time goes by. In addition, I'll sell some chicken after some time and use the money in buying a goat and later the cow. Aside from this, I spent $48 on buying food for my family. From most of the money that I spent on food, I s[pent it during the festive season so that my family would celebrate and be happy like other people within the community."

"I shoulder the responsibility of caring for my two grandchildren, ensuring their basic needs such as food, clothing, and education are met. Prior to being enrolled in GiveDirectly, I earned a living by selling charcoal, a physically demanding job that took a toll on my health, resulting in frequent severe chest pains. Now, I heavily rely on the monthly transfers from GiveDirectly to support my family of four. I allocated $30 towards school fees for my two grandchildren, ensuring they can continue their education without significant disruptions. Additionally, I set aside $30 in a savings group with the intention of investing in livestock to improve our quality of life. With the funds saved from the transfers, I have already acquired 1 cow and 7 goats, which I consider a significant and promising investment. The remaining $42 was utilized to purchase food for my family, ensuring that we never go without a meal. Despite the health challenges that limit my ability to work and generate income, I am immensely grateful for the financial assistance provided by the transfers. It has played a crucial role in enabling me to fulfill my role as a caregiver and provide for my family's needs."

"With the final transfer I received, I made a strategic decision to invest in livestock to secure a more sustainable future for my family. I bought a cow for $250, primarily to provide us with milk, which is essential for my young children as they are at a high risk of malnutrition. The cow will not only cater to our immediate needs but, as it breeds, I plan to sell them in the future to cover school fees for my children. Additionally, I invested in two more goats, costing $50 each, adding to the three I previously acquired. Goats thrive in our harsh climatic conditions and their quick multiplication will allow me to sell some for extra income, which I'll use to pay for school fees and meet other family needs. My focus remains steadfast on my children’s education and ensuring they can continue their studies without financial hindrance. I never had the opportunity to attend school due to security issues and financial constraints, which eventually led to my reliance on casual jobs and charcoal production alongside my wife-an unsustainable means for our family of six. To further alleviate our situation, I also purchased two bags of maize for $90 to help address our immediate food shortages. I am deeply thankful to GiveDirectly for their support, which has been instrumental in these investments and in planning a brighter future for my children."

"My objective is to purchase a cow, which I view as a valuable investment. I plan to accomplish this by utilizing the profits from my vegetable business. Owning a cow will not only allow me to cultivate my land but also provide additional income, especially if it reproduces and I sell the offspring. Moreover, the supplementary income will enable me to meet the educational expenses of my children. I am deeply grateful to this organization for enhancing my living standards through their financial support."

"My aim is to construct a house with brick walls to replace our current structure, which is built with mud walls. The present walls are vulnerable to damage during heavy rainfall and are displaying signs of weakening. Additionally, I intend to invest in a dairy cow, considering it a valuable asset that can generate additional income, particularly when they reproduce and can be sold. To achieve these goals, I will utilize a portion of the cash transfers along with my savings. Accomplishing these objectives will not only provide us with a better living space but also offer an additional source of income, bringing me a deep sense of fulfillment."

"In the upcoming year, my focus is on investing in livestock, particularly goats, given their cost-effectiveness and quick reproduction. My primary aim is to build up a herd of goats, with the intention of eventually selling them to acquire a dairy cow. Owning a dairy cow would allow me to generate income through milk sales. I intend to use my forthcoming transfers to pursue this goal, as recent rainfall has led to an abundance of food, providing stability for investment. I am optimistic about the prospects of a brighter future ahead."

"My aim for this year is to purchase a cow. Once it reproduces, it will not only provide us with milk but also serve as a valuable investment that can be sold later. I plan to allocate my savings and upcoming transfers towards this goal. Investing in a cow is a significant decision for my family, one that will bring much-needed relief and stability. I am grateful to be part of this worthy cause, which brings a sense of fulfillment and joy."

"Right now, I'm focusing on breeding goats because they reproduce quickly. Once my goat herd multiplies, I aim to exchange them for cows, as the market rate is around 5 goats for a cow, and also get their nutritious milk. With cows and on the farm, I'll have extra help for tilling the shamba hence saving the amount that I could have used tilling using the tractor for other investments moreso they'll be a source of income too. I'm hopeful that by this time next year, I'll have around four cows and at least sixteen goats. It's a simple plan, but it fills me with excitement and hope for the future of my farm."