"I rear and sell chickens to provide for my family, and recently, our region was hit hard by a coccidiosis outbreak. To act quickly and avoid losses, I used $34 of my recent transfers to buy medicine and chicken feed to ensure my flock stayed healthy. I am relieved that I did not suffer significant losses like some of my neighbors did. In addition to my chicken business, I also run a shop where I sell household consumables. To expand this venture, I invested another $48 of the transfers into my shop. I am thrilled to see it growing, and I am excited about the potential for even greater success in the future. Lastly, I spent the remaining $20 to pay my children’s school fees, ensuring that they can continue their education. I am truly grateful for this support, as it empowers me to take care of my family and build a better future for us all."

"My husband and I acquired a solar panel on credit, which requires us to make monthly repayments to keep it active. We have been diligently using a portion of our transfers to ensure we stay on top of this debt and do not default. My plan for the coming year is to continue making these repayments until we are completely free of the obligation. I am not entirely sure how much is left, as my husband is in charge of the details, but I am confident that we are close to clearing the remaining balance. Once we have paid off the solar panel, I intend to allocate part of our transfers to purchase goats. I have high hopes for this investment; I envision the goats multiplying and increasing in value, ultimately providing an invaluable asset for my family. This will not only support my children’s education but also serve as a safety net for our family, especially when this program comes to an end. I feel a sense of determination and optimism as I look forward to building a brighter future for us all."

"As a mother of 11 children, my greatest desire is to see all of them in school, receiving the education they deserve. At the moment, only three of my children are enrolled in school, while some who are of school-going age remain at home because I do not have the financial means to enroll them. This situation weighs heavily on my heart, but it also fuels my determination to find a solution. To address this, I have prioritized investing in goats using a portion of my transfers, while using another portion to pay school fees for those who are already in school. This strategy gives me hope. By nurturing and growing my herd of goats, I envision them multiplying, increasing in both number and value. Over time, I plan to sell some of them to generate the funds needed to enroll the other children and continue supporting those already in school. This approach is not just a plan; it is my pathway to giving all my children a chance at a brighter future. I am filled with optimism and confidence that it will work out, allowing me to fulfill my dream of seeing every one of my children educated and empowered. I am deeply grateful to GiveDirectly for their unwavering support. Their assistance has provided me with the means to take these important steps toward securing my children’s future, and I remain hopeful and excited for what lies ahead."

"Owning cows has always been my goal, but buying cows directly is very expensive and I could not afford it so I decided to start small. To achieve this, I used $34 of my recent transfers to buy ten chickens and another $30 to purchase a goat. My hope is that these animals will multiply, growing in both number and value. In the future, I plan to trade some of them for cows, slowly building a sustainable source of livelihood for my family. Also, I have five children currently attending school, and I needed to ensure their fees were paid so they could continue their studies without disruption. To make this possible, I spent $20 of my transfers on their school fees. Knowing that my children are secure in their education fills my heart with happiness and pride. Finally, the remaining $28 of my transfers went toward purchasing food for my family. With the severe drought we are experiencing, our food stores have long been depleted, leaving us vulnerable to hunger. Providing my family with enough to eat during these difficult times gives me immense relief and hope for brighter days ahead. I am deeply grateful for the support we are receiving from GiveDirectly. This assistance is not only helping me navigate the challenges of today but also empowering me to work toward a better future for my family. My heart is filled with gratitude and optimism for what lies ahead."

"The recent transfers from GiveDirectly arrived at a time when my family was navigating incredibly challenging circumstances. First, my beloved daughter fell ill, and she required urgent medical attention. I used $14 of the transfers to take her to the hospital, and I am deeply relieved that she is now recovering and feeling much better. On top of that, my eldest son, who is the backbone of our family and our primary breadwinner, was involved in a motorcycle accident that left him seriously injured. His condition required hospitalization, and I sent him $20 from the transfers to help with his medical bills. Although he is not yet fully recovered, I am grateful for the progress he has made so far and continue to pray for his full recovery so he can regain his strength and independence. With my children’s education being a top priority, I also used $14 to pay their school fees. It brings me comfort to know that they can continue attending school without the fear of being sent home due to unpaid fees. In addition, I am also working toward a sustainable future for my family. I have been developing a plot of land to construct rental houses that I can rely on for a steady income. I therefore saved $20 from the transfers to purchase building materials to bring this dream closer to reality. Each step brings me closer to achieving this goal, and I am filled with hope for what lies ahead. Finally, with hunger looming over my family, I spent the remaining $34 on food to ensure we had enough to eat. Knowing that my family will not go hungry during these trying times brings me immense relief. I am profoundly grateful for the support from GiveDirectly. It has been a lifeline for my family, allowing us to address both urgent needs and work toward a more stable and hopeful future."

"Looking ahead to this year and the years to come, my primary goal is to focus on farming. I believe this will greatly benefit me in two key areas: education and food. With the income from selling farm produce, I will be able to comfortably pay school fees for my children and ensure there is always enough food for my family. But that’s not all—I plan to reinvest back into farming to ensure this endeavor becomes sustainable and continuous. I am committed to improving and expanding my farming activities to secure a steady source of income and food for the future. I plan to use the next transfer from GiveDirectly to make this vision a reality. The thought of achieving these goals fills me with immense joy and gratitude."

"Life had been tough, especially with my family struggling to meet basic needs. My children had nowhere to sleep because the old bed and mattress were too small for all of us, so I spent $90 on a new bed and mattress to ensure they had a comfortable place to rest. I also bought a beehive for $90, seeing it as a great investment for the future. I can harvest honey and sell it, which will provide food for my family and income for many years to come. Farming had always been my way of making ends meet, and now with the bees, I believe it will bring even more stability.Furthermore, I used $100 to pay for my sister's school fees because she had been staying with me, and we support each other. I know how important education is, so helping her with her fees was a priority. To invest in my future, I bought one sheep for $50, as I wanted to start owning livestock like others around me. This sheep will multiply and, in time, help me sell and pay for school fees for my children. I also bought $30 worth of clothes because my family needed new clothes for the upcoming vacations and celebrations.With the remaining funds, I used the money to buy food for my family. I have three children to take care of, and both my wife and I work hard as farmers, managing livestock and growing crops. Life has changed for the better, and we thank God for this opportunity to improve our lives with the support from GiveDirectly."

"I am a passionate farmer, and when I received the unconditional cash transfer, I knew exactly how I wanted to use it to improve my family’s situation. I spent $240 on farming, as I plan to sell my harvest to cover the school fees for my eight children. Education is a top priority for me, and I want to ensure that my children get a good start in life. However, farming is also my livelihood, so I used $77 to buy medicine for my livestock, as they had fallen ill. My livestock is a key source of income, and I wanted to ensure they remain healthy to continue providing for my family.Furthermore, I used $40 to buy new clothes for my children, as their old ones were worn out. Seeing them in new clothes not only boosts their confidence but also gives me peace of mind knowing they have what they need. I also spent $80 on food, as we rely heavily on farming, especially vegetables, to feed the family. This purchase ensured we have enough to eat without the constant worry of where our next meal will come from, allowing me to focus on my work without stress.Life has been tough since my husband passed away four years ago, and I’ve been doing everything I can to ensure my children’s well-being. I struggle, but I’m determined to give my children the best opportunities despite the challenges. The money from GiveDirectly has made a significant difference, helping me meet some of my immediate needs and secure a better future for my family."

"I am currently in Form Three, with one more year to complete my secondary school education. My goal is to join KMTC, so I need to focus on my studies to achieve excellent results. In the coming year and beyond, I plan to dedicate myself fully to my studies to reach this goal. To ensure this, I intend to use part of my transfers to pay my school fees on time, avoiding the risk of being sent home for unpaid balances. With any remaining funds after covering my fees, I will support my younger siblings' education. I am deeply grateful for the financial support, as it has also allowed me to invest in poultry farming, providing a foundation for my financial security in the future."

"I am currently in Form One, and I am grateful to GiveDirectly transfers that have made me stay in school, as my parents are peasant farmers. When I began receiving these transfers, I took the initiative to support myself, allowing my parents to focus on covering the fees for my younger siblings. Since the transfers have a set timeline, I decided to invest them in a project to help sustain my education even after they end, knowing I still have a long journey ahead. Initially, I invested in a poultry project, growing my flock to nearly 50 chickens. Unfortunately, a disease outbreak wiped out all my chickens while I was at school, leaving me devastated. I have since revised my plan and now aim to invest in goats using my GiveDirectly transfers. This is my goal for the coming year and beyond, as goats multiply quickly and will provide me with future financial security. I have also started paying my school fees for next year to avoid a large fee balance, giving me the opportunity to save and buy goats, with my parents overseeing their care."