"Now that I am in my final year of secondary school, preparing for my transition is very important. After secondary school, I want to join college and study education, as I have dreams of becoming a teacher by profession. To do this, I have been buying goats and chickens, and I hope that they multiply in number so that in the future I may be able to sell some of them and use the proceeds to pay my school fees. Additionally, I also intend to continue using a portion of my transfers to pay school fees for myself and assist my parents, as I know this is very heavy on them since they do not have a stable and reliable source of income. I am very grateful for these transfers from GiveDirectly, as they have been very helpful in my educational journey, and I am hopeful that I can achieve my dreams."

"When I received $180 from GiveDirectly, I felt deeply grateful to God. This money was a chance for me to rebuild my life, especially after being displaced by floods. I used $50 to buy iron sheets, and I am planning to add more with future transfers to construct a house. Currently, my family is living in a temporary makeshift shelter, which puts us at risk of floods and diseases. I have a two-year-old child, and this motivates me to use the money wisely to ensure their safety and well-being. With $98, I purchased household items, including utensils, a table, plastic chairs, and a mattress. These items helped me recover from the floods, as all my previous belongings were swept away by the rushing waters. Now, I have essential items that make our daily life easier. Finally, I spent $32 on food for my family. This was crucial because I had no harvest due to the floods and no job to earn money for food. I am incredibly thankful to GiveDirectly for their support, which has made a significant difference in our lives."

"In the coming year, my goal is to start goat farming because goats are more affordable and easier to maintain than cows, even though I already have one cow. I plan to save at least $10 monthly from my transfers to accumulate enough to buy one goat at a time. Currently, a goat costs around $50 due to high demand, but with steady savings, I know I can reach that amount. Starting with one goat, I hope to slowly build a herd, which will provide my family with a reliable source of income through offspring and meat selling. Over time, this will not only improve our financial stability but also allow me to expand the farm."

"I remember being at my farm, weeding the maize when I heard the familiar tone of my phone. I quickly put down my tools and pulled my phone from my pocket to check the notification. When I saw that the message was from GiveDirectly and it was the cash transfer I had been hoping for, my heart leaped with excitement. I rushed to tell my children, barely able to contain my joy, and as we stood together, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. Finally, I was going to pay the school fees for my two children in secondary school."

"After receiving $180 from GiveDirectly, I decided to prioritize my most pressing needs. First, I used $50 to buy food. This has been a great help because, at my old age, I am no longer able to work and depend on my children to take care of me. Thanks to this support from GiveDirectly, I no longer skip meals like I used to, and I have enough food to eat. Next, I used $100 to buy building materials. I currently live in a traditional manyatta house, but I want to build a more modern home that will provide better comfort and security. This is something I have longed for, and now I am one step closer to making it happen. Lastly, I spent $30 to go to the hospital. I was sick and needed medical attention, and with the help from GiveDirectly, I was able to get the medication I needed. I am truly grateful for this support, which has improved my well-being in so many ways."

"The biggest difference since I received cash transfers from GiveDirectly has been in my daughter’s education. For the first time, she was able to start school on time with the other students because her school fees were paid. Ever since I settled her fees, she has been in school consistently, unlike before when she spent many days at home due to a lack of fees. This used to put her at a disadvantage, but now she can focus fully on her studies. Another major change was during my delivery. I was able to go through the process without the stress of worrying about huge hospital bills, which ensured my safety. After I was discharged, I returned home knowing that I had enough food to eat, which was a great relief. These changes have made a big impact on my life and my family’s well-being, and I am so grateful to GiveDirectly for their support."

"My current house is small, cramped, and has leaking issues, which makes it difficult for my family to sleep comfortably. To enhance our living conditions, I intend to set aside a portion of my transfers in our savings group. Once the savings reach maturity in December, I will withdraw them and allocate the funds towards constructing a new two-room house for my family, ensuring that we can rest comfortably and stay warm. Furthermore, I aim to expand my livestock by using the transfers to purchase goats, in addition to the chickens I already own. The chickens are expected to multiply, allowing me to sell them in case of any unforeseen emergencies. The goats will increase in number and value, eventually enabling me to exchange them for cows in the future. These cows will then be utilized for plowing my farm. I am truly appreciative and optimistic about my plans as they hold significant importance for me."

"My main objective for the upcoming year is to ensure that my children receive a good education so that they can become self-sufficient. I personally missed out on the opportunity to go to school due to lack of educational support, and I am determined to provide my children with better opportunities. The financial assistance from GiveDirectly has been tremendously beneficial, as it has been covering the costs of my children's education. In addition to this support, I plan to contribute to their education using the income I earn from casual jobs. I am confident that with the help of this program, my children will be able to achieve their goals. I have one child in secondary school and four in primary school, and I am fully committed to ensuring that each of them receives the education they rightfully deserve."

"My plan after completing high school is to pursue a college education. Unfortunately, my mother can't cover my tuition fees alone, so I'm considering poultry farming as an investment. I started with a few chickens, but there was an outbreak that killed all five of them. Initially, I planned to invest in chickens and then exchange them for goats, but after this setback, I've decided to save part of my earnings and buy goats instead. At first, I chose chickens because of their fast multiplication rate, but now I've changed my mindset. I believe that by raising goats and selling them, I'll be able to fund my college education once I complete my secondary school education. This is my goal for the coming year and beyond."

"In our home, we have never owned any livestock, while almost everyone around us does, which has always made us feel left out. The dream of diversifying our income through livestock seemed impossible due to our financial constraints. However, after receiving GiveDirectly's first transfer, that dream finally became a reality. As we speak, we now have a sheep! I am hopeful that it will multiply, allowing us to sell some in the future and address arising needs like our children's school fees. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for making this change possible in our home."