"GiveDirectly's financial support has played a significant role in the remarkable progress our village has made. In the past, our reliance on maize farming, with its long time to harvest, limited our options. However, thanks to GiveDirectly, we now have the ability to diversify our crops, including short-season varieties that provide a quicker income. The freedom to spend the funds according to our immediate needs was greatly appreciated, and the process carried out by GiveDirectly was smooth without any challenges. We sincerely hope that GiveDirectly will continue to support people in similar ways in other villages, empowering them to overcome their challenges and improve their livelihoods."

"My primary objective is to focus on investing in livestock as a lucrative income source. Fortunately, we have experienced abundant rainfall recently, leading to promising prospects of a bumper harvest. This increased food supply at home will enable me to allocate my monthly stipends towards livestock investments, thus establishing a fresh stream of income to meet my needs effectively."

"Currently, my primary objective is to attain financial stability, and I believe that investing in livestock offers the most promising path to achieve this goal. Initially, I utilized funds from various transfers to purchase four goats. Subsequently, I made the decision to sell these goats and reinvested the proceeds in acquiring a young dairy cow. This accomplishment fills me with immense pride, and I am eager to soon begin selling milk in the village, which I anticipate will generate a substantial income to meet my needs."

"As I herded my 10 goats in the evening, my mind was burdened with worries about how to provide flour of maize for my family's evening meals. Job opportunities had been scarce, and I struggled to find a means to fend for my loved ones. However, my worries turned into sheer joy when I received a Mpesa SMS confirming the GD transfers. With excitement, I immediately topped up my airtime worth $0.20 from the transfer to call my spouse and share the good news. Filled with happiness, I decided to make a stop at a kiosk in our village. There, I bought 10kg of maize and some vegetables for the evening meal, relieved from the shame of borrowing food from my neighbour."

"The GD money came just when I needed it the most. I had nothing left in my house. Previously, I was working on a neighbor's farm, but the maize I had planted dried up due to a lack of rain rendering me jobless. To survive, I had to take on any job that came my way. Two weeks before the transfer, I was forced to do casual labor at a construction site nearby. The working hours were long and exhausting, from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and at the end of the day, all I got was $3. It was tough, but I had no choice; I had to do it to put food on the table. Then, like a ray of hope, the GD transfer arrived, and I knew I could finally take a break from that tedious job. With the money, I made sure to buy enough food for myself, spending $100 to last me through the month while I searched for another opportunity. I also decided to invest in my well-being. I bought a brand-new mattress and a bed, costing $80, to replace the worn-out one I had been sleeping on the floor. With a renewed spirit and a good night's sleep, I was ready to face the world and hustle for a brighter future!"

"Prior to the cash transfers, I faced challenges in providing for my family and supporting my children's education. However, since receiving the cash transfers, I have been able to invest in goats, which has given me hope for the future. With the cash transfers, I have managed to grow my herd of goats to seven, and my goal is to reach twenty goats. As I continue to grow my herd and work towards my goal of twenty goats, I am optimistic that selling some of them in the future will allow me to invest in cattle. This progression will not only secure my family's financial future but also ensure that my children's education remains a top priority."

"Establishing a kiosk business is proving to be a challenging endeavor for me due to limited finances. However, I am determined to make it work as I see it as a potential source of income to support my children's education. Also, I would like to revive my carpentry business. I faced a setback in my carpentry adventure years ago when a fire destroyed my equipment back in 1997. I hope to find a way to revive this venture in the future, as it could be another avenue to generate income for my family's needs, including my children's education. My ultimate goal is to ensure that my children have access to quality education and a bright future, even in the face of financial challenges."

"My main goals right now are to buy more goats and improve the condition of my house. The current state of my structure is very concerning to me, as it is in poor condition and does not provide any sense of security or peace. I fear that it may even collapse at some point. Therefore, one of my priorities is to invest in building a new and sturdy house that will provide a safe and comfortable living space for my family. Currently, I have four goats, and I believe my herd would have been even larger if it were not for the medical expenses I have had to incur. Despite this, I am extremely grateful for the cash transfers I receive and I believe that they will enable me to expand my herd."

"My goal is to support the education of my children. I firmly believe that education is crucial for their future, and I am committed to ensuring that they receive the best opportunities possible. They will have the knowledge and skills to contribute to the household, and this will alleviate some of the financial burdens I face as the head of the family. Through the help of cash transfers and other means, I will do everything I can to support my children's studies."

"The timely arrival of the money was a true blessing; I was almost running out of food that very evening, and the uncertainty of how I would manage the following day weighed heavily on my mind. My work of repairing plastic containers and buckets was unreliable, depending solely on calls from my fellow villagers. On average, I would receive only 10 calls in a month, which amounted to $20 in income. When I received the transfer, I used $60 to purchase food, which I hope will sustain me for the next month, as I live alone; I do not have a family yet. Additionally, I invested $110 to buy essential household items, including some much-needed clothes since my two sets were already worn out. The bed and mattress I bought to replace the old rugs placed on a muddy floor also brought me immense joy, providing me with the comfort of a proper sleep. Additionally, my small hut was in a terrible state, with a leaking roof and holes in the mud wall. Devoting $30 to its improvement, I replaced the grass and hired labor to properly smear the walls. The transformation of my living space has brought a sense of pride and contentment."