"Upon receiving $200 from GiveDirectly, I used $160 to buy three goats. The reason for this is that goats do very well in the area where I now live. I used to be a crop farmer, but after being displaced by floods, I had to move to a new location that doesn’t support crop farming. However, this place is ideal for keeping livestock, and by buying these goats, I can ensure that the support I receive will provide a sustainable and consistent income for my family. With the remaining $30, I paid school fees for my child. This allowed him to sit for his end-of-term exams without stress, and now I can start the next term without any outstanding balances. This support has truly helped me provide for both my family’s future and my child’s education."

"When I received the cash transfer, the first thing I did was buy a mattress and a bed for $80. The old mattress I had was completely worn out, and the bed frame was broken, making it impossible to get a good night’s sleep. I really needed that upgrade. After that, I bought a plastic table and two chairs for $36. Before, I only had one chair and no table, which made it hard when guests came over. Now, we have a proper place to sit and eat together as a family. With $40, I was able to pay my son’s school fees. He’s in Form Two, and I didn’t want him to miss any classes because of unpaid fees—it’s very important to me that he stays in school. I also set aside another $40 to buy food. This allowed me to stock up on essential items, which gave me peace of mind knowing that we wouldn't struggle to put meals on the table for a while. The rest of the money went toward buying clothes for my children. They had outgrown most of their clothes, and it felt good to finally be able to replace some of their worn-out items. Watching them walk around in new outfits made me feel proud and grateful."

"I want to buy a 50 by 100 plot, somewhere away from where I currently stay, so that I can move out. I am already living on a similar-sized piece of land, but I want to increase the space and secure a new location for the future. To raise the money for this new plot, I’ve leased a farm, and I’m planning to plant maize. Once I harvest, I’ll sell the maize and use that money to buy the new land. I am optimistic about the plan, confident that the maize would bring in enough funds to make this dream a reality."

"I woke up at 5 AM to switch on my phone, which I always turn off before going to bed, and the first thing I saw was a message saying I had received money from GiveDirectly! I couldn’t believe it—I was so excited. It was still early, and my children were getting ready for school, so I told them right away, and they were just as happy as I was. I’ve always wanted to own sheep, and the first thing that came to my mind was that now I could finally buy one!"

"In my old age, I am not able to fend for myself and have to rely on other people to provide for me. As a result, I sometimes sleep hungry when I don't find any help. This really makes me sad. I am however grateful because my children provide for me despite the hard economic times they are also facing."

"I work as a mechanic in Mombasa, but my limited earnings make it challenging to support my family. I rely on my GiveDirectly transfers alongside my job income to help cover rent, purchase food, and care for my loved ones. Due to my financial circumstances, I need to explore additional ways to generate income. I've been considering animal husbandry to increase my earnings. At present, I have 5 goats and around 20 chickens, which I can sell for extra cash during financial emergencies. In the upcoming year and beyond, I plan to invest more in goat farming. My goal is to acquire additional animals so they can breed and produce even more. This venture will provide me with financial security for the future, as I can sell the animals if I face any financial challenges to support my family."

"When the floods hit, they destroyed almost everything—our farms, our belongings, and even our houses. Fortunately, before all this, I had managed to buy a piece of land in a safer location. So, with the cash transfer I received, I demolished our old house, gathered up whatever usable materials I could salvage, and set out to build a new home on the new land.The new house I built has three rooms, which gives us more space than before, and I even managed to add an outside kitchen. This took up the entire $450 from the cash transfer, but it was worth every cent. We now have a solid roof over our heads, something I am genuinely grateful for. The whole family feels a sense of relief, knowing we no longer have to worry about the floodwaters rising around us. Now that we’re settled into our new home, I feel a sense of peace. Moving to this location has lifted a huge weight off my shoulders, and I’m just happy to see my family safe and secure."

"Next year, I’m hoping to make some changes and focus more on maize farming. It’s the only real way for us to get by around here, and if we want to survive, it’s where I need to put my energy. I was lucky enough to hear from Kenya Seed, and they’ve promised to provide some seeds for us. With that kind of support, I’m thinking of plowing 4.5 acres of land—half for maize and the other half for tomatoes. To raise the money I need for plowing, planting, and all the rest, I’ve decided to sell two of my cows. With 15 cows, parting with two of them shouldn’t be too much of a strain. By this time next year, if all goes as planned, I’ll have a good crop in the ground, and we’ll hopefully be better off."

"My primary goal is to attend college and study building and construction. With my parents out of work and relying on peasant farming, I’ve taken it upon myself to work hard in my second-hand clothing business to save for my college fees. I remain optimistic that I can reach this goal with the support from GiveDirectly. Once I've saved enough, I plan to pass my business on to my sister, who has finished high school but hasn’t found a way to enroll in college despite her passing grades. After I complete my course, I intend to help her with her college education."

"My goal is to build my own house within the next year and beyond. I've already purchased iron sheets, building poles, and some essential materials, which is a positive step forward. I just need a few more items to kick off the construction. My plan is to use my transfers to buy all the necessary materials and start the building as soon as possible. Right now, I'm in college pursuing a mechanics course, and I hope to finish in about a year. I also need to acquire some equipment to set up my workshop. Therefore, my plans include completing the construction of my house before using my transfers to invest in these tools. Ultimately, I aim to be employed for a while to save up for my own garage."