"I used $320 to buy a young heifer, hoping it will soon mature and eventually give birth. Once it calves, I plan to start milking it, which will reduce the burden of buying milk—something I’ve been doing for as long as I can remember. This small investment makes me optimistic about having a steady supply of milk for my family in the near future. With $62, I was able to clear my son’s school fees. He is in Grade 3 at a private school, and I didn’t want him to miss any lessons because of unpaid fees. Ensuring he stays in school is a priority, and this money brought me a sense of relief, knowing his education won’t be disrupted for now. I used the remaining amount to buy food for the house. With a newborn at home, it’s not easy for me to go out and look for work or income, so having enough food is crucial. It allows me to focus on my baby without worrying about where our next meal will come from. Every cent of the transfer has been a lifeline, helping me take small but meaningful steps toward stability."

"The first thing I did when I received the transfer was put down a $170 deposit on half an acre of land, priced at $550. I had already paid $180 from the first transfer, so I’m getting closer to owning the plot. The place we currently live floods every rainy season, so buying this land means a safer home for my family. I also spent $126 on iron sheets, which I’ll use to build a new house on the land once I finish paying for it. Having a proper house will make a big difference for us, especially since we’ve dealt with so many problems during the rainy seasons. In addition, I leased another half-acre for $40 to grow beans, which will help us secure food and income in the coming months. I feel more hopeful knowing that I can plan ahead like this. With $30, I bought food staples, including maize, to keep us going for now. I’ve also set aside the remainder of the money to cover plowing and irrigation for the upcoming planting season. Every bit of planning is helping me secure a better future for my family. I am grateful for these opportunities because, with these steps, I believe we are finally moving toward a more stable and comfortable life."

"One thing they did really well was advising us on how to take care of our mobile money and keep our PIN secure. They explained clearly how important it is to avoid sharing our PIN with anyone, and that guidance gave me confidence to manage my money safely. Everything was well explained, so I always knew what to do at each step. GiveDirectly also told us from the beginning that they would send us money three times, and they have kept their promise without fail. Each time the money arrived exactly when they said it would, which helped us plan better. Knowing that the funds would come on time made a big difference in how I managed my expenses. So far, everything has gone just as they said, and I appreciate that they followed through on their word. With all these in place, there is nothing that I see that should be changed in the program."

"When I received the unconditional cash transfer, I immediately put it to good use on my farm. I used $50 to plough an acre of land and $12 to make ridges, preparing the soil for planting. Knowing watermelons are easy to maintain and have a high yield, I spent $90 to buy quality watermelon seeds. To ensure a healthy crop, I also purchased herbicides and pesticides for $16, and when the melons began growing, I paid $40 for weeding. Watering the farm was another challenge, but I managed to refill my two gas cylinders for $26, which I used to run a generator and pump water to the farm. This way, I could keep the crops well-irrigated. I left the remaining amount at the agrovet, so if I need anything else for the farm, I can simply pick it up without worrying about immediate payments. This cash transfer has really helped me get my farm up and running, and I’m hopeful for a great harvest soon."

"In the upcoming year and beyond, my plan is to open my own sewing shop. I’ve already ordered a machine from Mombasa and paid for it using the savings I accumulated through our merry-go-round group. With my coursework complete, I’m ready to launch the shop, which will provide an income to support my family. I also plan to rent a nearby space and stock additional items to sell alongside my tailoring services. I’ve purchased the sewing machine and am currently awaiting its arrival. Once it arrives, I will open the shop and start this new chapter. I'm truly grateful to GiveDirectly for their support, which has renewed my optimism in achieving this goal. Additionally, I plan to invest in farming tools, including a bull for ploughing, and I’m saving for this through the same merry-go-round group. I am optimistic about achieving my goals before the transfers come to an end."

"I used $105 to buy tomato seedlings since it's planting season and tomatoes are currently in high demand in my region. To ensure they grow well, I spent $25 on fertilizer and $20 to plough half an acre of land for planting. I also purchased $50 worth of pesticides to protect the crop as they grow. I'm hopeful that when the tomatoes mature, they'll fetch a good price in the market. Aside from the farming investments, we used $50 to buy food items for the household to ensure we were food secure. My wife also mentioned that our household utensils were old and outdated, so I used another $50 to buy new ones. I wanted to make sure our home was comfortable and presentable, and these new items were much needed. Additionally, I bought clothes for myself and my children for $50 since what we had was getting worn out. It feels good to have fresh clothes after a long time. Lastly, I spent $100 on two goats, as I want to stop buying milk in the future and ensure a steady supply at home. The remaining amount, I set aside for any emergencies that may come up. I feel prepared and optimistic about the future, and I believe this support will help me and my family grow, both in farming and in our overall wellbeing."

"When GiveDirectly came to our village, they explained everything so clearly. They told us where the money came from and how they were here to help us without any conditions. I remember thinking how different it felt from other aid programs I’d heard about. They didn’t push us or make us feel like we had to join, and that gave me so much peace of mind. They made it very clear that we had the freedom to spend the money however we thought best, and that trust made me feel empowered. Honestly, I wouldn't change a thing about the program. The way they approached us with no strings attached, giving us the responsibility to make our own choices, was perfect. Being able to use the money on what my family and I needed most made a real impact. It wasn’t just about receiving help; it was about being treated with dignity and respect."

"Since my husband passed away two years ago, I’ve had to take on the full responsibility of covering our children’s school fees, clothing, food, and other essentials. The house was already in poor condition when he passed, and it’s been a struggle to meet all their needs with the limited profits from my charcoal business. With the recent increase in the cost of basic commodities, the situation has become even more difficult. My children were often sent home for unpaid fees, so I decided to dedicate all my transfers toward paying their school fees. Renovating the house is my second priority. Although I replaced the roof, the house is still unsafe as the cracked walls let in insects and rain. My immediate goal is to rebuild the walls, and I plan to save $4 each month to buy construction materials. I can’t save more than that right now due to other basic needs. Once my children finish their education, I intend to invest in goat and chicken rearing projects. These projects will generate more income, as they multiply when well taken care of, increasing their financial value. I'm confident that once these projects are established, they will provide security. In case of a financial crisis, I’ll be able to sell some animals to support my family."

"Moving forward, my primary focus is to use my transfers to help my child, who has a deformed leg. I am determined to ensure that he receives the necessary medical attention so that he can have a good leg and enjoy a normal life like other children. In addition to my child's medical care, I plan to use part of the transfers to buy goats. My hope is that these goats will multiply and increase in number over time. I then intend to trade some of the goats for cows, which I can train to help plow my farm. In the future, I may be able to sell some of the cows as they multiply and use the proceeds to fund my children's education. I am excited to see these plans come to fruition with the help of the transfers I receive from GiveDirectly, and I am hopeful that I will be able to provide my children with the best possible opportunities."

"I was surprised that participation was entirely voluntary. We had the freedom to choose if we wanted to be part of the program or not. This gave me a sense of control and dignity because I knew that whatever decision I made, it was mine alone. What I liked even more was how transparent the whole process was. They explained to us where the money was coming from and shared every detail about how the program would work from beginning to end. There were no hidden surprises or unanswered questions. I knew exactly what to expect, and that made me trust them. Knowing the source of the money and understanding the steps they would follow helped me feel secure in the decision I made to participate. There is nothing however that I think could be changed in the program as I see it all good."