"The biggest change in my daily life is that I am now raising goats at home. Initially, I didn't have any because my financial hardships made it impossible to afford them. The income from my small business barely covered our basic needs, and sometimes it wasn't sufficient. However, I hope that having these goats will be beneficial, as they typically reproduce twice a year. This means I could quickly have many goats. My plan is to eventually trade them for dairy cows, which would be a significant advantage, as I would then have plenty of milk to sell for additional income. This extra income would greatly help with my children's school fees. Having these goats has given me hope, and I am confident that in the future, I will not face the same struggles."

"I woke up to the wonderful news from my son that I had received my first cash transfer, which he confirmed through the new messages I had received earlier that night. I was filled with excitement; words couldn't express how I felt, as this money meant so much to me. I was convinced that my long-held dream of owning goats in my homestead would finally come true."

"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."

"I received money from GiveDirectly, and I was impressed by how transparent they are about their processes. They didn’t hide anything from us; everything was clear and well explained. It felt good knowing exactly how they work and where the money comes from. What I appreciated the most was that I could spend the money in any way I wanted. This freedom allowed me to support my family and invest in things that truly mattered to us. Honestly, I don't see anything that needs to be changed. GiveDirectly has done a great job of making sure we understand everything. Their approach really empowers people like me to make choices that improve our lives. The trust they build with us is important, and I hope they continue to keep things as they are."

"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."

"When I received the money from GiveDirectly, they didn’t tell me how to spend it or try to map out my priorities for me. They just trusted that I knew best what my family needed. It reminded me that, even with limited resources, we are the ones who understand our needs most clearly. And having that freedom to decide was empowering; I could allocate the funds where they’d truly make a difference. Another thing I appreciated deeply was how they handled the payments for families. Every household was treated equally, including polygamous families like mine. Each wife received her own portion, which made it easier for us to make decisions tailored to our households. The process was transparent, and everything was clearly explained. Looking back, I can't think of anything they could improve. It was evident they respected us and cared for our well-being, which made all the difference."

"I used $200 to buy pesticides and herbicides for my tomato crop since it’s planting season, and my tomatoes need proper care to produce a good harvest. So far, they’re growing well, and I expect to harvest them next week. This investment should lead to a strong yield and some extra income. I also spent another $200 to buy three sheep and one goat. For me, this is a long-term investment, as livestock can multiply quickly. Over time, as the animals breed, they’ll become valuable assets that can help cover future needs, like school fees or household expenses. It’s a small step toward building stability for my family. With the remaining funds, I bought food items to make sure we had enough to eat as we continued working on the farm. Knowing that our basic needs are covered allows us to focus on our farm and livestock without worrying about where our next meal will come from. This cash transfer has given me hope for a better future and a way to create a stable, supportive home for my family."