"When I received the cash transfer, the first thing I thought of was buying goats. I used $100 from the money to purchase two goats, knowing they would be a great source of income in the future. For us, goats are like savings—they multiply over time, and we can sell them whenever we need money for emergencies. This gave me peace of mind, knowing that I now have a reliable way to support myself and my wife in case something happens.The rest of the money went towards buying food. My wife and I are old now, and we usually rely on our children to help us with food and other essentials. But since I received this transfer, I felt it was my turn to take some pressure off them. With the money, I was able to stock up on enough food, which not only benefited us but also allowed our children to focus on their own families without worrying about us for a while.I feel very blessed because our life has been good overall. Our children are employed and have been taking care of us, but this transfer gave me the chance to do something for myself and my family. We live a peaceful life with our three grandchildren often visiting to keep us company. Thanks to this support, I feel secure and content, knowing that I have made a wise investment with the goats and helped ease the burden on my children."

"It was around 3:30 PM when I was at my maize farm and received the M-Pesa message on my phone, confirming that the money from GiveDirectly had arrived. I was filled with happiness and relief. I immediately called my wife to share the good news, and she was just as happy. I told her I would come home in the evening so we could plan how to use the money together. I forwarded the message to her to confirm it, and we both felt a wave of hope.At that moment, I looked at the maize in my field, knowing I had no means to harvest it due to a lack of funds. I had been counting on this harvest to provide for my family, especially to take my disabled child, Fidel, to the hospital. He has been disabled for six years, and I was desperate to get him the care he needed. With the arrival of the money, everything changed. I was able to take Fidel to Kijabe Hospital right away, and I felt so grateful to finally be able to support him."

"Before receiving the GiveDirectly money, life was a constant struggle for me and my family. I was the only one working, trying to provide for my nine children while also caring for my elderly mother. I often worried about how I would manage everything. After receiving the transfer, everything changed. I was able to pay laborers and hire a tractor, which allowed me to harvest 33 bags of maize. I was close to losing hope, especially since I feared the maize might be washed away by floods. Without GiveDirectly’s support, I don’t know how I would have managed to harvest or what would have happened to my crops. I truly appreciate your great support, as this maize has provided food for my family and eased our financial burden. Now I can look for other jobs, knowing we have food at home. The happiness in our home has grown tremendously; we feel more secure and hopeful about the future. This support has truly transformed our lives, giving us the chance to thrive instead of just survive. Thank you so much, GiveDirectly, for your support!"

"My plan now is to build a better house while I keep farming. I have a friend with a generator, and I will borrow it to help me plant watermelons, which can bring us a lot of money when I harvest them. Once my son finishes school, we’ll focus even more on farming to support our family. I also bought iron sheets to build a shop, but I haven’t finished it yet. Completing that shop is part of my goal to improve the lives of my five children. Together with my husband, who works as a tractor rider, we will combine our efforts to create a better future for our family."

"GiveDirectly has done a great job of educating us about their program and its goals. Their genuine desire to improve our lives and uplift our entire village is clear. The guidance they provided was helpful, and the thoughtful questions they asked about our plans for the funds showed their commitment to understanding our specific needs. This respectful approach made us feel valued and inspired us to take meaningful steps to improve our lives. In my village, I haven't heard anyone express negative opinions about the program; instead, the feedback has been very positive.As for areas of improvement, I honestly haven’t found any major concerns. The whole process ran smoothly, and everything was managed well."

"In the coming years, my main goal is to continue farming and ensure that I can pay for my children’s school fees. Farming is essential for our livelihood, and I want to grow enough crops to support my family and provide for their education. I believe that investing in their education will open up better opportunities for them in the future. I also plan to expand my farming practices to include more diverse crops, which will help increase our income and food security.Another important plan is to build a permanent home made of bricks. Currently, we live in a house made of iron sheets, which is not very durable or comfortable. A solid brick house will provide my family with a safe and secure place to live, protecting us from the weather and giving us stability. I am determined to work towards this goal, as having a proper home is vital for our well-being and future. With hard work and dedication, I believe I can achieve these dreams for my family."

"When I received my unconditional cash transfer, I saw it as a lifeline for my family's future. With $170, I invested in agriculture by harvesting maize and bringing it home. This was crucial because my husband, a police officer, uses his salary to pay for our children’s school fees and buy food, leaving little for our farming needs. With the extra $80, I prepared the land again and bought bean seeds to plant. Before this support, I struggled to find money for farming, but now I feel empowered to grow our own food. After using part of the funds for farming, I focused on another important issue: our water supply. We had been facing a shortage of water, which affected our daily lives and my plans for a kitchen garden. With the remaining $200, I bought pipes and a meter to bring tap water to our home. This change has been life-changing, as having water available means I can finally pursue my passion for farming without the worry of water scarcity.Now, my dream is to create a thriving kitchen garden where I can grow vegetables and even plant mango trees. With my three children and two grandchildren, we have a big family to feed, and I want to ensure they have fresh produce. Thanks to GiveDirectly for their incredible support, I can now invest in my family's future and cultivate the land I love. The transformation I’ve experienced is beyond words, and I feel hopeful about what lies ahead."

"In the coming year, I want to grow my grocery business and save more money. I currently earn $5 a day, which covers our basic needs, but I need to save more. My goal is to buy another plot of land so that when my children grow up, they will have a place to live and something to inherit. Owning more land will give us security in the future. I also want to make sure my children have a better life than we did, and I’m saving for their education. Buying land now will help me create more opportunities for them in the future."

"In life, having essential skills is crucial for survival. I know that once I successfully complete driving classes and obtain my license, I will be able to secure a job, preferably driving trucks to transport goods. Currently, I am diligently saving $20 each month in our merry-go-round to enroll in a driving school, with the goal of gaining the expertise needed to operate large trucks. As a motorcycle rider and livestock keeper, I have five goats and chicken that I raise for future financial security. My plan is to let these animals breed, eventually selling them to fund the purchase of bulls and dairy cows. The bulls will help with land preparation, while the dairy cows will provide milk for both sale and personal use, such as making tea. The income generated will significantly improve my family's living standards. I also aspire to build a four-room house, as our current one-room home will soon be insufficient for my growing family. However, this project will come later, after I have successfully completed the initiatives I mentioned earlier."

"In the coming year and beyond, I plan to return to college to further my education. As a teacher by profession, I've already completed my Level One certification and now aim to pursue a Diploma, which offers greater benefits and will enhance my employment prospects in the education sector.Teaching has been my passion since primary school, which motivated me to enroll in a teaching college and earn my first certificate. To work toward my goal of returning to school, I’m saving a portion of my monthly income. While I haven't established a specific amount, these savings will help cover my college admission costs. I also hope to receive financial support from my spouse and parents. I am confident that once I complete the Diploma, I will secure stable employment with a reliable income, enabling me to support both my needs and those of my family. This will make it easier for me to pay for my children's education and provide for their basic needs. Currently, I teach part-time at a nearby school, earning a modest income to support my family."