"At around 3 p.m., while I was at home with my children and I received a message on my phone. When I checked the contents, I realized that I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. The joy I felt that afternoon was overwhelming, and I couldn't help but share the news with my children, who also celebrated this blessing with me."

"At around 3 p.m., while I was at home with my children and I received a message on my phone. When I checked the contents, I realized that I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. The joy I felt that afternoon was overwhelming, and I couldn't help but share the news with my children, who also celebrated this blessing with me."

"My plan for the coming years is closely tied to the funds I receive and the savings I've diligently set aside. My primary goal is to further invest in livestock, particularly goats. They are highly valuable because they multiply relatively quickly, providing a sustainable source of income through their offspring and the sale of surplus animals. This strategy not only enhances my financial stability but also ensures a safety net for unexpected expenses or emergencies, especially now that I am a widow who can no longer work due to my advanced age. Currently, I have seven goats and one cow, and I am confident that their numbers will increase over time."

"Having successfully built my two-room house, bought a bed and mattress, and installed solar lights, my next goal is to invest in livestock. Right now, I have two goats that I bought with the transfers, and I’m aiming to expand my herd, particularly with more goats. Growing the herd will give me the opportunity to sell some of the livestock in the future and earn a good profit. As an active member of the savings group, I will continue contributing to it. When it’s my turn to receive the transfers, I plan to use that money to purchase additional goats. I’m very grateful for the financial support from the transfers, which has significantly improved my quality of life and is helping me work towards a more prosperous future."

"When we received the unconditional cash transfer, we were in the middle of building a rental unit with three rooms. Unfortunately, we paused the project at the roofing stage because we lacked the funds to continue. With the $372 from the transfer, I bought 24 iron sheets and roofing nails to finally roof the house. This step felt like a huge relief as it meant we could make progress and eventually finish the unit. Next, I paid $65 to a mason who completed the roofing. His work was efficient, and I was pleased to see the house taking shape. Alongside this, I knew my children’s education was just as important. Both had been sent home because of unpaid school fees, so I used $40 to pay for my child in Form 1 and another in Grade 7. This ensured they could return to school and focus on their studies without any more interruptions. The remaining amount went towards buying food for the family. With the construction ongoing, I needed to make sure we had enough food to sustain us during this busy period. The cash transfer allowed me to meet multiple pressing needs, and for that, I am grateful. Now, with the roof in place and my children in school, we are hopeful for the future."

"It was around 2 pm, right after I had finished my lunch, and I had my phone with me when I suddenly heard a message notification. I checked my phone, and to my surprise, I saw that I had received money from GiveDirectly. I can’t even describe how happy I was at that moment! I immediately called my husband, who was at work, and he was just as excited as I was. We both knew then that this was it—the money we needed to finally complete the rental units we had left unfinished for so long."

"In the coming years, I plan to use some of the transfers to purchase additional chickens and start practicing poultry farming. My hope is that these chickens will multiply and increase in number, allowing me to eventually sell them and use the profits to address pressing needs, such as buying food and paying my children's school fees. This has been a continuous challenge for me. The idea of poultry farming seems promising, especially given the harsh climatic conditions that make crop farming unproductive. I am therefore hopeful that my situation will improve soon because of this support."

"Having a pit latrine right now is honestly the best thing that has happened to my family. Before I received the cash, it was embarrassing when we had visitors, and they'd ask where to relieve themselves. I had no choice but to point them towards the bushes. As a teacher, it made the situation even worse because I’m supposed to be educating people about hygiene, yet here I was unable to provide basic sanitation at home. It was a constant source of shame, and I dreaded anyone visiting for that reason. Thanks to the cash from GiveDirectly, I was able to build a proper pit latrine. For the first time, I can welcome visitors without worry, and if they ask where the toilet is, I confidently show them. It has improved not just our hygiene but my peace of mind. I feel like I am practicing what I teach, and that has made a world of difference for me and my family."

"On 15th August, I was in Kwale visiting my family when I decided to check my phone later in the day. That's when I saw it—GiveDirectly had sent me money! I was so excited, I immediately told my wife, and she was just as happy as I was. We had been talking about improving our lives, and now I knew it was possible. I could finally build the toilet we needed and start farming to provide for our family. It felt like a new beginning."

"My goal in the coming months and years is to become a livestock farmer. I have started this journey with my Merry-Go-Round group by saving a portion of my GiveDirectly cash transfers to purchase more goats and guinea fowl. Currently, I have a small number of these animals and am excited to see them multiply and increase in value over time. I am eagerly awaiting my turn to receive the cash and buy more livestock. This effort will not stop here; I plan to continue saving in the merry-go-round group to further grow my herd, which I believe will be beneficial, especially in supporting my children. As I age, I will no longer be able to work, so this is a crucial step for my future."