"My focus is on wealth creation through livestock rearing. I am pleased to have initiated this endeavor with the acquisition of two goats from previous cash transfers. I believe that building a herd of goats will provide me with the means to sell them and meet the needs of my four children. Since the passing of their father, I have been grappling with the challenges of sustaining them through casual jobs such as charcoal making. Livestock represents a tangible relief from these persistent hardships. Every month, I diligently save $20 through a self-help group, to use these savings solely for the purchase of goats once the club dissolves early next year."

"In my view, GiveDirectly has demonstrated commendable efforts by providing us with unconditional cash transfers. This approach grants us the flexibility to allocate funds based on our diverse needs, and I am genuinely grateful for that. The transfer has been instrumental, empowering me to address crucial areas like seeking necessary medical care and investing in a cow. The significance of purchasing a cow lies in its potential as a source of income through the sale of its offspring, thereby reducing my reliance on my children. I extend my thanks to GiveDirectly for being a force for positive change and empowerment in our lives."

"As a widow living alone, my life has been shaped by the challenges that come with old age, as I cannot perform any menial job, hence depending on my two grown children for support. However, I have also felt the weight of this reliance, considering their own financial constraints due to the demands of their families. The struggle has been real, and life has posed its difficulties. Upon receiving the third transfer, I allocated $180 towards food purchases as it is essential for my sustenance, ensuring that it will last me for a significant duration. This has brought a sense of assurance, alleviating the burden on my children and providing a measure of self-reliance. Additionally, I invested $170 in acquiring three goats. This decision is fueled by high hopes, as I anticipate their multiplication to become a valuable source of income through future sales, reducing dependence on external support. I also utilized $40 to purchase a 500-liter water storage tank to ease the stress of fetching water from a distant source, as I will be harvesting the water during the rainy season and storing it. Lastly, I have set aside the remaining amount as emergency money. This contingency fund serves as a safety net, providing peace of mind and a sense of control over unforeseen circumstances."

"Upon receiving the second transfer, I incorporated my son's help in withdrawing a part of it, and together, we bought materials to construct a new kitchen. Adding to the first 8 iron sheets purchased earlier, I bought an additional 6 sheets for $63, roofing nails for $5, and window mesh for $3. My previous kitchen had collapsed due to weak poles destroyed by termites, so I am glad to initiate the construction of a new one. After spending $10 on transporting the materials home, I have paid a construction cost of $20 and have another $20 pending as per our agreement with the constructor. I also purchased foodstuffs, including 1 sack of maize for $40, beans for $5, a carton of milk for $6, and sugar worth $10, which I am still using since I live alone. Currently, I have $48 in cash and $25 saved in my Mpesa account, and I intend to use it to buy at least 3 goats once the currently high prices drop. This support has allowed me to address immediate needs and plan for a more sustainable future."

"In the upcoming year and beyond, my plan is to construct a new house after demolishing the old one. To maintain cleanliness in the new dwelling, I aspire to build a separate kitchen, providing a space for cooking even during rainy seasons without any interference from the rain. Additionally, I am keen on investing in goat farming to add to the two goats I already own. The ease of goat farming is particularly easy, given the vast land with abundant feed for the goats. With the intention of expanding the herd, I aim to purchase more goats, leveraging their breeding capabilities. As they multiply, selling the offspring will serve as a sustainable income source, helping cover household bills and contributing to the overall well-being of my family. This dual approach to housing improvement and goat farming reflects my commitment to creating a comfortable living environment and establishing a reliable source of income at our old age."

"For a considerable time, I have endured living in a makeshift structure with rusted iron sheets and improvised walls made from various materials, enduring cold nights and challenging rainy seasons. The first and second transfers have been instrumental in my journey towards realizing the construction of a new house. Utilizing the second transfer, I purchased 10 iron sheets for $130, including nails, bringing the total to 15 sheets. Although construction hasn't commenced as I am still searching for an expert, I am optimistic about completing it soon. I also bought a $42 sack of maize for my family of two and settled a $100 debt with a neighbor. Additionally, I allocated $15 as a deposit for my son's circumcision rites and spent $6 on transporting construction materials. Prioritizing my family's needs, I spent $12 on clothes, including a pair for my son. Currently, I have $90 saved to cover upcoming expenses and ensure a smoother transition into our new home once construction is underway."

"Upon receiving the second transfer, my priority was stocking enough food for my family of 11, so I purchased 2 sacks for $90. Addressing education needs, I allocated $150 for school fees, settling part of the arrears and enabling my two children in secondary school to sit for their end-of-term exams. Additionally, I bought 5 iron sheets for $55 to progress with completing the construction of our house, which had stalled. Due to a tight budget, I could not buy all the missing materials at once, but I am planning to acquire the remaining 3 sheets soon. Fulfilling a collective wish, I spent $40 on new clothes for all 11 members of my household, bringing joy and gratitude since it's been long since we bought ourselves new clothes. Traveling back and forth from town incurred a $10 transport cost. Lastly, I saved the remaining $105 to purchase goats, anticipating better prices in January after the festive season. We are thankful to GiveDirectly for this generous support, which enhances our well-being and aspirations."

"My goal for the upcoming year is to contribute more to the women's group savings account. I think this will increase the amount of interest the account earns by the end of the year, and when I take it out, it will be sufficient to cover all of my household expenses. In addition, since I am a member, I will be able to borrow money if I need it."

"The motorcycle that my son and I contributed to purchase is intended for business use and ought to generate some income for us. With this, I have guaranteed myself a daily income and won't even have to worry about running out of food or money to take care of myself. I want to be active and productive, not just idle around the house, which is why I plan to get goats. For that reason, my goals for the upcoming year and beyond are to tend to my animals as they flourish and to enjoy the few years I have left enjoying my income and good sleep in my new bed"

"My husband doesn’t have his own piece of land, and we therefore live on his grandparents’ land. Our dream has always been to own a piece of land we can call home, and if anything happens to us, our two sons will have a place they own as their home, but we could not realize this as we both did not have a stable source of income. We are manual laborers on people's farms, which is also seasonal. My parents, on the other hand, were on the verge of taking me back home because my husband had not yet paid any dowry. I love my husband so much, and the thought of me being sent back home was really depressing. GiveDirectly came to our rescue and made our dreams come true. They swept us off our depressing issues, and this was so overwhelming. On the second transfer, I spent $320 and completed paying for a ½-acre piece of land in our village, and I am hopeful that soon enough we will move to our own home. I gave my husband $100 for the dowry payment because I did not want to go back to my parents. I also spent $30 on a she goat to add on to the two goats that I already have. It is believed that the breed that I bought gives birth twice a year. I am therefore hopeful that they will multiply so that I can sell some of them to pay school fees for my children and invest in business. The rest of the transfer went into food and savings."