"Upon receiving $450 from GiveDirectly, I decided to use the money to buy things that I did not have. First, I used $250 to buy home furniture, including a sofa set, a closet, a table, and utensils. I had already built my house, but there was nothing inside. The furniture has greatly improved the look of our home and has brought comfort. I always look forward to coming home after a busy day. Next, I spent $47 to buy a sheep that I plan to take care of. As it reproduces, I hope to grow a flock, which will help me address emergencies without worry. I also used $50 to buy food to ensure my family was well-fed. This has relieved me from struggling with casual labor just to have food on the table. Additionally, I used $40 to buy new clothes for my family, replacing the old ones. Finally, I used the remaining money to fence my farm. This will keep the animals out and ensure that when I start planting, my crops will be secure, leading to a good harvest. This thoughtful use of the $450 has helped improve my family's comfort, security, and well-being."

"Now that the issues of food and school fees have been addressed, my most immediate goal is to build a house, at least a one-room house. The floods damaged my current home, and it is no longer safe for my family to stay here. I plan to use the next transfer from GiveDirectly to build a secure and stable home for us. Having a safe place to live is very important, and this house will provide enough space for my household. The thought of this fills me with satisfaction because I know that my family will be safe and comfortable in a secure home."

"I was so happy to receive $450 from GiveDirectly. When the money arrived, I had already been affected and displaced by floods. I had been relying on the kindness of neighbors, and I was living in difficult conditions. However, when I received the money, I had already borrowed land where I could build a home away from the risk of floods. I used $350 to buy iron sheets, labor, and nails, which allowed me to build a house for my family. Now, we live in a safe, secure home, without the fear of being affected by floods again. Once the house was done, I used $56 to buy food, ensuring my family would not go hungry. At that time, I had no harvest, and finding casual labor was difficult. This money helped make sure my family never missed a meal. After that, I used $12 to buy a small water drum to store water at home, which is very helpful for daily use. The rest of the money was used to recover some of the household items I had lost during the floods. Additionally, the money helped me take one of my children, who was feeling unwell, to get medical care. Thanks to GiveDirectly, I was able to rebuild my life and take care of my family during a very challenging time."

"When I received $450 from GiveDirectly, I was filled with gratitude because I knew this money would change my life for the better. I carefully planned how to use it to improve my family’s well-being and secure our future. I started by using $250 to buy five sheep. Previously, I had three sheep, and I thought it was a good idea to increase my flock. Sheep are very beneficial because they provide income as they reproduce and grow. This investment will help me generate a sustainable source of income over time. The remaining $200 went toward buying a plot of land. My family has been severely affected by the recent floods that devastated our village, and I knew I needed a safer place to live. The new plot is on higher ground, far from the flood-prone areas. I plan to build a new home there using the next transfer from GiveDirectly. Once we relocate, I will use our current land for farming. Knowing my family is safe and secure in a better environment gives me great peace of mind. This is a huge milestone for us, and I am incredibly thankful to GiveDirectly for making this possible."

"When I received $450 from GiveDirectly, I decided to invest more in farming to improve my family's livelihood. I used $320 to make this happen. This amount covered the cost of leasing two acres of land, buying fertilizer, paying for labor, and covering irrigation expenses. With this support, I was able to plant maize on one acre of land. The second acre is currently on hold, as I am waiting for the Kenya Seed Program early next year to start farming on it. Previously, I could only farm on one acre, but with this additional capital, I have expanded to two acres. This expansion will help ensure my family is food secure while also allowing me to generate income by selling any surplus harvest. In addition, I used $100 to purchase two sheep. These sheep will serve as a lasting reminder of the support I received. They will benefit my family by providing food, such as milk, and will also generate income as the flock grows over time. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity to improve my family's well-being and to build a more secure and sustainable future."

"What stood out about GiveDirectly is how they ask for consent at every step, even during enrollment. They took the time to explain their program clearly, ensuring we understood how it works. This gave us the ability to make informed decisions about whether to accept or not. Their transparency and respect for our choices made me trust them even more. One recommendation for GiveDirectly is to introduce extension services, such as training farmers in areas like poultry farming and other agricultural practices. I am passionate about poultry farming and would love to learn more about it. With proper training and guidance, I believe I could improve my skills and make poultry farming a sustainable source of income for my family. Having access to such knowledge would empower many farmers in our community to diversify their livelihoods and achieve financial stability. I appreciate everything GiveDirectly has done so far and hope they consider adding these kinds of services in the future. It would make an already impactful program even more beneficial."

"I currently have six goats at home, but I don't plan to just maintain this number; I aim to significantly grow my herd. I am determined to expand my goat-rearing project because goats reproduce twice a year and mature quickly, making it a viable and sustainable endeavor. Once I achieve this goal, it will greatly support my children's education. At the moment, I do not have a job or any external assistance to help cover their school expenses. In addition to supporting their education, these goats will provide a reliable safety net. I can sell some of them to meet urgent needs or cover unexpected costs. I also plan to use part of the incoming transfers I receive to buy more goats, which will help me reach my goal more quickly. I am confident that even when these transfers eventually stop, this project will continue to sustain my family, ensuring lasting benefits from the support I have received."

"As I look ahead to the coming year and beyond, my goal is clear: I want to continue raising goats on my homestead. I truly believe that as these goats multiply, their value will grow, allowing me to achieve many things. One of my key intentions is to use some of the goats to support my grandchildren’s education in the future. They are currently in primary school, and I want to ensure they have the resources they need to succeed. Additionally, the goats will help me meet my own needs, such as covering the costs of my monthly check-ups, as I have not been well. I plan to accomplish this by using the upcoming transfers to stay on track and bring this vision to life."

"I have an important goal that I hope to achieve soon: expanding my goat herd. Currently, I own five goats, but I aim to grow the herd to at least ten. Once I reach this target, I plan to exchange some of the goats for a dairy cow. My vision is to start a milk-selling business, providing fresh milk to my neighbors and generating income to support my family's needs. At the moment, I rely on burning and selling charcoal to sustain my family, which has been a challenging task, as I am the sole breadwinner. To achieve my goal, I plan to use my upcoming transfers to purchase more goats. I am confident that, with time, the goats I already have will reproduce, helping my herd grow even faster. Reaching this goal will not only ensure that my children receive a continuous education but also improve our living conditions, creating a better future for us all."

"With my children now in school, my primary goal is to ensure they continue with their education. To achieve this, I plan to dedicate a portion of my transfers to covering their school fees. Education is important to me, and I want to provide them with the best opportunities for their future. In addition to securing their education, I also aim to establish a solid foundation for their future by building up a reasonable herd of livestock. I intend to use another portion of my transfers to purchase more chickens and goats, which will be added to the ones I already own. I believe that with time, these animals will multiply, and I will be able to trade some of the chickens for more goats. As the herd grows, I plan to trade some of the goats for cows. These cows will become a valuable asset, as I will also train some of them to plow the fields, ensuring that my family has the resources needed to grow food and support our livelihood. The livestock will not only serve as a source of income but also provide long-term security for my children’s education and well-being, especially after this program comes to an end. I am deeply grateful for the support and empowerment that GiveDirectly has given me."