"I have been doing neighborhood construction and farming practices. For the past year, I had been growing Napier grass and selling it to neighbors who already had livestock. I also purchased two bullocks a few months ago and have been giving some of the feed to my animals as well as others for sale. I spent $300 on a six-month in-calf dairy cow after receiving my first transfer. I am hoping that selling milk will provide me with an additional source of income soon. I used the remaining funds to purchase construction materials such as iron sheets, building poles, nails, and other items that I am currently using in my construction work. I needed an extra house because I was using one as both a kitchen and a living room. Even though I am single and have enough space in my current home, I hope to make more space in the new house in preparation for starting a family. I am grateful for GiveDirectly's support, which has allowed me to accomplish much that would not have been possible with my previous income from casual labor."

"The challenge I am facing is lack of food due to this hot season, which has contributed to food insecurity. And inadequate funds to buy seeds for planting."

"Previously, I ran a motorcycle taxi that had to come to a halt because I could not repair or replace some parts on my motorcycle. Because it was the primary source of income that would only be supplemented by unproductive farming activities, I needed to find another way to feed my family. I was fortunate to find another casual job in a nearby restaurant, which was also short-lived when it closed, and I had to return to farming activities. Receiving the first transfer was a huge relief, and I had to work hard to get back on track. I spent $450 finishing up a shop that I had begun building. I purchased a steel door, plastered the floors, and spent the remainder on retail goods that I am currently selling. Despite the fact that it is a new business that I hope to expand in the future, I am pleased that the local community has been visiting to purchase household goods. Furthermore, I spent $100 on motorcycle repair, which I hope will aid in the daily transportation of goods from a wholesaler in a nearby shopping center to my shop. The cost of operation will be reduced as a result, maximizing the projected profit margin."

"After the experience I got from the first transfer which came as a surprise, I planned before the second phase. Upon getting the second transfer, I made up my mind to invest in livestock farming. I opted for this because I realized livestock farming is cheap to maintain and has security, unlike a shop where one can run at a loss if people take goods on credit and fail to pay. Therefore, I bought a cow for $150 specifically for milk both for sale and for family use. I also bought five sheep for $130 and a goat for $30. I opted for sheep over goats because they have a higher value when it comes to selling and also they withstand harsh climatic conditions more than goats. And looking at our dry climatic conditions, it will serve the sheep better than the goats. In the line of investing, I also started poultry farming. I spent $200 to buy forty chicks specifically layers for egg production. I am happy that this business picked up well and it has been helping me in catering to my family's needs."

"GiveDirectly is a life-changing organization. I am a testimony to this. Before the organization came into my life, I used to struggle a lot not only with my children's education but also with the family's basic needs. There was no food, no fees, and poor bedding. We used to sleep hungry for up to two days a week but since the time GiveDirectly gifted me with the transfers, I was able to settle the hardships and we are now doing well as a family. Using the 1st transfer, I managed to construct a house and also got some bedding for my children using the second transfer. Currently, we sleep well and we are happy for GiveDirectly."

"While looking after my livestock in the field, I received a message on my phone at around 4 pm. I did not haste to check since the phone was in my hands. Upon checking, the first glance of the eye hit the figure of $550. I became keener and I realized that I had received the money from GiveDirectly. My heart melted at thanksgiving for receiving such a huge amount of money at once in my life. Due to the happiness that engulfed my heart, I spent the rest of the day dancing in the field while grazing my five cows and eight goats."

"Despite the severe drought that has affected our region, I intend to use my subsequent transfers to start an agribusiness. To help me raise some money for my family's support, I intend to farm vegetables that I will irrigate when it does not rain. We are constantly in short supply because the grain crops, like maize and beans, are no longer performing well. Given that I have easy access to water from the nearby borehole, I have high hopes for the success of this venture. As a result, unlike in the past, I will not solely rely on cultivating grain crops."

"As I continue to receive my transfer, my primary goal is to buy more iron sheets for building a new house. The current one is too small to accommodate all my household members comfortably. Since I can make bricks by myself, I have set a goal of building a permanent house that will serve me for a long period. I currently reside in a small mud-walled house. Extreme weather has weakened its walls, making it incapable of standing the test of time. Along with building a new home, I also want to provide my son, who is currently in first grade, with ongoing educational support. I want him to be successful in life."

"As a parent, I want to see my son who is in his last year of secondary school succeed in life. This is only possible with higher-quality education. I'm planning to set aside $10 per month to help him pay his college enrollment fee the following year. He is doing well in his present schoolwork, and I am sure he will get into the university."

"I joined a savings group where we put aside $10 each month with the idea of buying an ox for each member at the end of the year as my driving force . My strategy is to make them available for employment so that others can hire them to plow their farms, adding to our family's revenue. Additionally, we won't budget for labor costs associated with plowing, so we'll be able to cultivate our farm on schedule and produce a healthy crop."