"After receiving $450 from GiveDirectly, I allocated $200 to purchase a wire mesh to fence my farm. This decision was motivated by the need for security, aiming to enhance the protection of my land and anticipate increased productivity during harvesting. The secure environment is crucial for ensuring a steady food supply. I plan to redirect proceeds from surplus harvests to cover school fees for my kids. The remaining $250 were utilized to buy two goats. I am genuinely happy and grateful to GiveDirectly for facilitating these improvements in my life."

"I have in the past two years been living in a small house that is not presentable at all. I could not even dare dream of building a better house because I am living on borrowed land. After I paid for the land recently, I now have plans of building a better house in it. With the recent transfer, I was able to buy pieces of iron sheets and only waiting to receive the second transfer before I can start the construction work. I will be most grateful and happy once this project is complete."

"In the upcoming year, with the assistance of GiveDirectly transfers, my goal is to install water harvesting gutters around the roof and construct a dedicated place for the water tank. This accomplishment holds significant meaning for me as it ensures a sustainable and convenient water source at home. The added happiness and satisfaction stem from the improvement in water accessibility, making daily life more manageable and enjoyable."

"I was overjoyed beyond words as I sat at the door, sharing a late lunch with my last born who was the helper, when a buzzing sound announced a message. My helper confirmed with a smile that it was the unconditional cash from GiveDirectly. In that moment, the weight of debts and the worry about my son's junior secondary school fees being unpaid lifted off my shoulders. With the newfound financial relief, my first thought was to settle the overdue fees that had resulted in my son being sent home from school. The sheer relief allowed me to indulge in a celebration, and I immediately bought 2 bundles of ugali and 1kg of meat to share the joy with my family. Overwhelmed with gratitude, I knelt down to offer a heartfelt prayer of thanks to GiveDirectly for their generosity and a thanksgiving prayer to God for providing in my time of need."

"Upon receiving the second cash transfer, I decided to invest $200 in purchasing 5 goats. My plan is to start a goat rearing project with the hope that they will multiply over time. My ultimate goal is to exchange them for cows, providing a sustainable source of income for my family. This investment is crucial as I have two children who heavily rely on me, and being a small-scale farmer focused on food crops doesn't always cover our needs. Despite being a retired plumber with no pension benefits, I manage to earn around $100 on a good month, which often falls short of meeting our family's financial requirements. Additionally, I rely on government payments for the elderly. The remaining amount from the cash transfer was used to give a decent send-off to my daughter, who tragically lost her life in an accident. The cash transfer has been a lifeline, allowing me to plan for the future and address immediate needs."

"As I look ahead to the future and beyond, my heartfelt ambition is to thrive in farming. The journey involves a steadfast commitment to leasing land and applying my best efforts to the farm, ensuring that each agricultural activity is executed with precision and timeliness to enhance overall production. This approach aims to guarantee that my children have an ample supply of food for consumption. Additionally, I intend to sell any surplus produce to generate income, specifically earmarked for supporting their education. The commitment to farming becomes a means of providing for their immediate needs and investing in their educational pursuits, fostering a sustainable and brighter future for my family."

"In my perspective, GD has truly excelled by providing us with unconditional cash transfers. This generous support has granted us the flexibility to address our diverse needs. I am particularly grateful that, with the assistance of the transfer, I have acquired a water tank, alleviating the constant worry about this vital resource. Thank you, GD, for making a significant impact and offering us the means to improve our lives."

"I had long harboured the desire to build a better home for myself, but financial constraints had consistently stood in my way. Being a single mother responsible for three children, providing for the family has been a continuous challenge. My reliance on a grocery business, which brings in just $2 per day, barely covers our basic needs. The arrival of the transfer presented a golden opportunity to turn my dream into reality. I directed a significant portion of $390 towards constructing a two-room house made of iron sheets. The completion of this house has brought genuine happiness to my family, and we have already moved in. Compared to our previous cramped living conditions in a small grass-thatched hut, the new house offers more space and a more appealing appearance. Furthermore, the old structure now serves as a kitchen, providing the much-needed space for a kitchen and eliminating the challenges we faced during the rainy season or windy weather when cooking outdoors was impractical. I used the remaining amount to purchase a sack of dry maize for my family, ensuring a stable food supply that would last us for more than three months."

"A week had passed since I heard that people were getting money from GiveDirectly, and I began to wonder if I was somehow left out. Curiosity getting the better of me, I finally asked my helper to check, and to my surprise, there it was – the money was in my phone all along. A wave of happiness swept over me as I realized I wasn't excluded after all. It was like a weight lifted off my shoulders, and I couldn't help but appreciate the unexpected relief that GiveDirectly brought into my life."

"I invested $400 in fencing my land, a decision prompted by the presence of valuable mango trees and the constant disturbance from neighborhood livestock. These animals are allowed to roam freely. I couldn't leave my home without safeguarding my land. The mango trees play a crucial role in sustaining my family, and thanks to the support from GiveDirectly, I was finally able to address this long-standing issue. For years, financial constraints prevented me from putting up a fence. GiveDirectly's assistance has made it possible for me to break free from this cycle, and for that, I am grateful. I allocated $50 to buy food to sustain my husband and two grandchildren. Our maize crop failed last year due to rainfall shortages. As farmers, this setback hit us hard, and casual jobs were no longer an option to bridge the gap due to our old age. The mango trees, now protected, will undoubtedly contribute to sustaining my family in the long run. This future investment is a testament to the positive impact of GiveDirectly's support."