"Before receiving the cash from GiveDirectly, the rental unit we had been building had been stalled for almost six months. All our income was going toward school fees for our six children, and there was nothing left for construction. I run a small shop, while my husband buys trees and sells timber. Even with both of us working, it was hard to make progress. The unfinished structure had started deteriorating, and I was worried we might lose everything we had invested so far. But then GiveDirectly came through, and I was able to roof the building to protect it from further damage. We are eagerly waiting for the second transfer because once we receive it, we will finally complete the structure and rent it out. That additional income will be a huge relief for us. Having tenants in that space will not only help us financially but also make a big difference in our children’s education and overall well-being."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"After finishing the construction of the stall, my goal for this year is to save more cash so that I can acquire capital and open a small eatery in my village specializing in tea, snacks, and foodstuffs. I have been considering this plan for some time, but the lack of startup capital has been a major obstacle. Establishing this eatery will significantly boost my family's income, allowing us to meet our daily needs more comfortably. I am hopeful that by December of this year, I will have saved enough to open it. I am confident that having this eatery will bring significant improvements to my life, and I look forward to sharing my success story with this organization in the near future."

"In addition to being a skilled livestock farmer, I also have expertise in crop farming. My goal is to grow both of these ventures and increase my income from them. Thanks to the financial transfers, I don’t feel pressured to sell any of my livestock at the moment. Currently, I have five cows and three goats, and I plan to use the money from the transfers to cover my daily needs, such as buying food and paying school fees for my children. This means I can allow my herd to grow, as I won’t be forced to sell them prematurely. By growing the herd, I can sell the livestock when the time is right and earn a better profit. During the wet season, I plan to use my two bulls to cultivate crops on my farm. With the surplus harvested , I can sell the produce and earn extra income. Once I have enough food stored, I can use future transfers to invest in purchasing more livestock. I’m very happy and incredibly grateful for the financial support from the transfers, as it’s allowing me to build a more sustainable future for my family."

"Before joining the program, I was sleeping on an old traditional bed covered with worn-out mats and some sacks that I used for carrying charcoal. It was a tough situation, and when GiveDirectly promised to send me the transfer, my main goal was to improve my living conditions, including getting rid of the old beddings and getting a new wooden bed and a mattress. I didn't even have chairs, and it was embarrassing when visitors came; the only seats I could offer were small jerrycans I used for fetching water. When I received the transfer, I spent $110 on a new bed and mattress. Now, I can sleep comfortably, unlike when I was using the old ones. I also purchased four new chairs for only $28. Now, whenever visitors come over, I have comfortable seating to offer them. Additionally, I also acquired three goats for $150, and I am currently housing them in my compound. Previously, I had been looking after some goats on behalf of a relative, as I couldn't afford to buy my own. I'm excited to now own these valuable assets, and I hope they will eventually multiply into a herd, allowing me to sell them to address my financial needs. Aside from that, I also pitched in to help my son build a new house for himself and my three grandsons because his old home was on the verge of collapsing. I contributed $200, bought essential building materials like iron sheets, nails, and poles, and now the construction of the new house is underway. I used the remaining money to purchase food supplies, including a bag of maize that will last us a long time, ensuring that we have enough food to sustain us."

"In the years to come, I aim to purchase more goats, as I believe it will be a great investment for my future. Goats are not only easy to care for, but they also multiply quickly. I plan to save from my monthly transfers to make this happen. Each month, I will set aside a portion of the funds, and as my herd grows, I can eventually exchange some of the goats for a dairy cow. This will provide milk for my family and give us an additional source of income."