"For about five years, we owned goats but didn’t have a proper place for them, so we had to keep them at my mother-in-law’s house. When I received my first transfer from GiveDirectly, my top priority was to build a shelter for the goats, as I had always wanted to bring them to our home. Before that, my husband and I couldn’t afford it because we relied on charcoal production, which provided very little income. My mother-in-law had a hard time looking after the goats, especially as she grew older. Thanks to GiveDirectly, we finally built a proper shelter, and now I am happy to see the goats at our own home, giving my mother-in-law a break she deserves."

"I’ve been thinking a lot about what I want to achieve next year, and honestly, my biggest goal is to finally settle in my new place. I’m hoping to pay for the piece of land I’ve been planning to buy and start building a house there. It’s something I’ve been dreaming of for a long time because I really want to move there with my family. I’ve been saving money from my business for a while now. It hasn’t been easy, but I’ve managed to put aside a good amount. If everything goes as planned, I think the savings I’ve collected, along with the third transfer that I’m expecting, should be enough to complete the payment for the land. Once that’s done, I’ll finally be able to move forward and make the dream of settling in our new home a reality."

"First, I spent $240 to buy iron sheets, wooden posts, and to pay a mason to build a small house. Before this, my family and I were living in a very small mud house that barely provided shelter. Now, with the iron-roof house, we have a much better and safer place to call home. Next, I bought two sheep for $60. This was important to me because I wanted to have an asset I could rely on in case of emergencies in the future. Having livestock provides security, as I can sell them whenever there is an urgent need for money. Alongside this, I used $87 to buy food for my household. It gave me peace of mind knowing that my family would have enough to eat and wouldn’t have to worry about going hungry. With the remaining money, I used $13 to plough half an acre of land where I plan to plant maize this season. Farming is a significant part of our livelihood, and this will help us secure food for the coming months. Lastly, I used $50 to pay off a loan I had taken earlier to cover school fees for my children. This relieved a lot of pressure, allowing me to focus on other family needs. The cash transfer has truly been a lifeline, helping me take critical steps toward a more stable future."

"The first priority was paying school fees for my son who was clearing high school. I used $250 to ensure he could sit for his final exams without any financial worries. Education is incredibly important to me, and I didn’t want him to miss this crucial step in his journey. I also used $70 to pay school fees for another of my sons who is currently in Form 3. With two children in secondary school, the pressure to manage fees is always high, but this transfer gave me the breathing room to handle these responsibilities without having to take loans or make sacrifices elsewhere. The remaining $130 went toward solving another pressing issue. I have two grown sons who had been sleeping in an old, leaking house. They needed their own space for privacy and dignity, so I used the money to build them a one-roomed house. It’s not big, but it’s decent, and it means they no longer have to endure uncomfortable and unsafe living conditions. This cash transfer has not only lightened my financial burden but has also allowed me to improve my family’s quality of life in meaningful ways."

"This coming year, my biggest goal is to finally settle my family on the piece of land we bought. It's been a dream of mine to move there, and I’m determined to make it happen by year-end. Right now, we’re planting maize using high-quality Kenya Seed, and I’m hopeful for a bountiful harvest. Once I sell the maize, the proceeds will go straight into funding the construction of our new house. With that money and the third transfer we’re set to receive, I’ll have just enough to build a modest but sturdy home for my family. I’m especially driven because I want to leave behind the constant worry of flooding where we live now. Every rainy season brings anxiety and loss, and I don’t want my children growing up with that stress. Moving to the new land will mean peace of mind and a fresh start."

"I used $400 to start a small restaurant business. Before this, I depended on casual labor—anything I could find, like tilling land, burning charcoal, or harvesting tomatoes. Starting the restaurant was a leap of faith, but I wanted something sustainable. Now, I cook and sell meals, and although it's still growing, I feel proud knowing I’m building something stable for our future. I set aside $30 to buy food for the house. That gave me breathing space to focus on establishing my business. With basic household needs covered, I could concentrate on buying the necessary cooking supplies and ingredients. Finally, I used the remaining money to buy clothes for my daughter. As a single parent, seeing her happy and confident matters to me. She looks beautiful in her new outfits, and it warms my heart to know she doesn’t have to feel different from other children. Every day, I remind myself that this effort is all for her, and it motivates me to keep pushing forward."

"My husband had been renting a motorbike to make a living, but the daily rental fee left us with barely enough to survive. So, I used $350 to buy our own motorbike. Now, my husband brings home around $6 daily, double what he used to make. It has been such a relief knowing that the income is steady and we don’t have to worry about rental payments anymore. With $30 of the transfer, I bought a mattress for my children. Before that, they slept on sacks placed over their wooden bed frame, which always left me feeling guilty. Seeing them sleep comfortably now fills my heart with joy. They wake up happier, and I know their health will benefit from the improved sleeping conditions. It’s a small change, but one that means so much to our family. The other $30 went toward my two children’s school graduation costs as they advanced to Grade 1. It was a special day for them—we even treated them to a boat ride, which they still talk about with so much excitement. The remaining $40 helped stock up our household with food staples like maize, beans, sugar, and cooking oil. For the first time in a long while, we had enough to eat without worry."

"The splitting of the transfers helped me plan ahead because I knew what I was going to receive and could budget properly. I also loved that the money was sent directly to my phone without any middlemen. This meant I didn’t have to worry about delays or deductions. Everything about the process was explained clearly from the start, and honestly, I don’t think there is anything that needs to be changed. It was a smooth and straightforward experience, and I am very grateful."

"Our family lives in a low-lying area that floods every rainy season, and it's been a constant worry for us. I decided to use $300 as a down payment for half an acre of land, which cost $500. I still owe $200, but I’m confident I’ll manage to pay it off over time. With $80, I invested in plowing half an acre of the land and purchasing vegetable seeds to start farming. I also bought fuel for our generator to water the crops. Farming is something I’ve always been passionate about, and now I have the opportunity to grow vegetables not just for our consumption but potentially for selling, too. This feels like a fresh start, and I’m hopeful that the farm will provide both food and income for my family in the long term. The remaining $70 went toward household food items. With the rising cost of living, this helped us stock up on essentials like maize flour, beans, and cooking oil. It eased the immediate pressure of day-to-day survival and gave me room to focus on building a more stable life."

"In the coming year and beyond, I intend to invest in livestock particularly goats. I had some goats and chickens, and I sold a few when my child was admitted to Mariakani, which allowed me to settle the bill. My greatest aspiration is to expand my livestock holdings, particularly focusing on goats. I sincerely believe that livestock farming will provide significant advantages, especially for my children, who are in primary school now and will soon move on to higher education. To make this happen, I plan to allocate part of my future earnings to purchase additional goats, with the hope that they will reproduce, increasing both in number and value. This strategy will enable me to sell some goats to financially support my family, particularly as my children advance in their education. By establishing a strong herd of goats, I foresee not only a steady income but also a valuable asset that can help seamlessly cover their school fees. Every goat I acquire symbolizes not just an animal but also a significant step toward ensuring a brighter future for my children."