"The biggest change in my daily life is that I've become more hopeful and happier since I started keeping two goats on my homestead. Having them around gives me confidence that I will soon achieve my dream of owning dairy cows. Since goats reproduce quickly, I believe I’ll have many more in no time. Once they multiply, I can easily trade them for a dairy cow. I think having a dairy cow will greatly improve my life because it will produce milk. This means I’ll have an income from selling the milk, especially since I currently don’t have a job. It has been challenging to rely solely on my son for all my needs since I can no longer work. In addition to the financial benefits, my health will improve as we’ll have our milk to supplement our meals. As my goats continue to reproduce, they will increase my livestock, which is a positive step forward for me, particularly after all I’ve endured, including the loss of my spouse. Now, I worry less about the future because I'm confident these goats will soon make my life easier, providing relief for my son, who has been taking care of me for so long."

"I still remember that bright, sunny morning when my son told me the news: I had received my first cash transfer from GiveDirectly. I could hardly contain my joy; it felt like a dream. I was amazed to think I would receive such a large sum of money at once, especially since I desperately needed it. At that moment, I realized I could finally buy goats, which had always been my goal. Having them would provide financial security in case of any future issues."

"I’ve been thinking a lot about what I want to accomplish next year. The first thing is to work really hard on the farm. My plan is that when I get a good harvest, I’ll buy half an acre of land where I can finally settle. You see, where we live now, it floods every time the rains come, and it’s become too stressful. I need a place where my family can feel safe no matter the weather. I'll use that land for both living and farming—something that gives me stability. I hope to have one acre in total, so I can keep farming to sustain us. This way, we’ll not only have a secure home but also land to grow crops, ensuring that no season goes to waste. Another goal I have is to buy five more goats. Goats are really important—they’re like insurance. If something comes up, like an emergency, I can always sell one or two and get what I need. I already have a few goats, but these extra ones would make all the difference. Farming will be the key to getting those goats. If all goes well, by this time next year, I’ll have everything in place."

"When I received the cash transfer, the first thing I did was use $80 to pay my daughter’s school fees. She’s in Form 3, and I had to clear the arrears so she could stay in school without disruptions. After that, I spent $30 to plough an acre of land and another $80 to buy beans seeds. It’s the right season for beans, and since they sell well in the market, I saw it as both an investment and a way to make some income later. Thinking ahead, I leased an additional acre for $120. I plan to use it to plant maize next year since it’s a crop that provides both food and profit. In the meantime, I made sure we have enough food by buying a bag of maize for $28. At least now I don’t have to worry about hunger in the house for a while. Food security is a priority, especially when you have children depending on you. Lastly, I bought a goat for $85, as it’s a good long-term asset. It can provide milk and can be sold or bred in the future if needed. With the little money left, I treated myself to a pair of trousers and a shirt. It felt good to buy something for myself after taking care of so many responsibilities. I believe looking good is important too—it lifts your spirits."

"I want to buy half an acre of land elsewhere, somewhere it doesn’t flood. Where I stay currently is prone to floods whenever it rains, and I need a place that’s more secure. The constant worry isn’t something I want to live with forever. To achieve this, I’ll keep going with maize farming. It’s steady, but I also plan to try watermelon farming this time. They fetch a good price, and if things go well, I should make a decent amount from both crops. The plan is to sell the melons and maize, then use that money to buy the piece of land. I know it won’t be easy, but I’m determined. It’s time to move to a place where rain doesn’t bring fear with it."

"My wife passed away many years ago, leaving me to care for our five children. I've been supporting them through difficult jobs that bring in little income. It has been tough, and there were times when I felt like giving up. However, looking at my children made me realize that I had to keep pushing to provide for them. There were days I returned home from work empty-handed, which left me feeling low and uncertain about the future. Just when I thought I was losing hope, God brought GiveDirectly to my village. I am now one of the beneficiaries, and I am happy to say my life is finally on the verge of change. I feel hopeful and grateful for the support this organization has provided. I plan to start a business selling various kinds of dried fish in my village. Currently, I am preparing the space where I will run this business. I believe this venture will bring relief, as I will no longer have to endure the hard jobs I have been doing to support my children. I am hopeful that I will earn enough profit to ease the stress and strain that have been my constant burdens."

"My wife passed away many years ago, leaving me to care for our five children. I've been supporting them through difficult jobs that bring in little income. It has been tough, and there were times when I felt like giving up. However, looking at my children made me realize that I had to keep pushing to provide for them. There were days I returned home from work empty-handed, which left me feeling low and uncertain about the future. Just when I thought I was losing hope, God brought GiveDirectly to my village. I am now one of the beneficiaries, and I am happy to say my life is finally on the verge of change. I feel hopeful and grateful for the support this organization has provided. I plan to start a business selling various kinds of dried fish in my village. Currently, I am preparing the space where I will run this business. I believe this venture will bring relief, as I will no longer have to endure the hard jobs I have been doing to support my children. I am hopeful that I will earn enough profit to ease the stress and strain that have been my constant burdens."

"I am currently facing a challenge in providing for my family of seven. I work as a house manager for a neighbor, earning KES 4000 a month. While I use this money to buy food, it is often not enough. Sometimes, I have to take goods on credit from shops, hoping my husband can repay them through his driving job. With schools closing soon, I am worried because I will have to pause my job since my employer will be home full-time. This adds even more stress to an already difficult situation because there will be no salary for those days. For this period , I will reinvest in my tailoring business so as to earn an income from repairing clothes."

"It was around 8 a.m. when I was fetching water from a neighbour when I heard my phone ringing continuously. Unsure of what was happening, I asked my son to check the message for me. I was thrilled to learn that I had received my cash transfer from GiveDirectly, which I had been patiently awaiting. I finally knew that I could buy a bed and a mattress, as I had been sleeping on a traditional bed which caused me a lot of pain."

"I have twin children who are both in college; one is pursuing nursing, and the other is studying carpentry. However, their educational journey has not been easy, especially since I am a widow and no longer work. My older son has become the primary breadwinner, and it hasn’t been easy for him to consistently pay their tuition fees, as his job doesn't provide a stable income. We have occasionally sought government assistance, but this support is not always guaranteed. When I did receive financial help, I used around $200 to cover part of the necessary fees, ensuring my children could continue their education without disruptions. I am truly grateful for this assistance, as it has helped us immensely, and I am confident they will complete the semester smoothly. Additionally, I spent $167 on a bed and mattress. Now, I am sleeping in a much better place. Previously, I couldn't afford a comfortable bed and experienced pain every night, but now I can finally enjoy the comfort that has been missing for so long. I also purchased a fork and hoe for $20 for my farming activities because my old tools were in poor condition. Lastly, I spent $163 on food for my three children, which has sustained us for a long time."