"Now that I am in my final year of secondary school, preparing for my transition is very important. After secondary school, I want to join college and study education, as I have dreams of becoming a teacher by profession. To do this, I have been buying goats and chickens, and I hope that they multiply in number so that in the future I may be able to sell some of them and use the proceeds to pay my school fees. Additionally, I also intend to continue using a portion of my transfers to pay school fees for myself and assist my parents, as I know this is very heavy on them since they do not have a stable and reliable source of income. I am very grateful for these transfers from GiveDirectly, as they have been very helpful in my educational journey, and I am hopeful that I can achieve my dreams."

"Since I started receiving cash transfers from GiveDirectly, the biggest difference in my life has been my ability to recover from the shock of the floods. Before the transfers, I was displaced with no house, no household items, and no food. This situation was overwhelming. With the support I received, I could address these urgent issues. I purchased some construction materials to begin rebuilding my home, which is essential for my family’s safety. I also bought household items that we needed to live comfortably. Having utensils and furniture again has made a significant difference in our daily lives. Most importantly, I used part of the money to buy food for my family. Even though we had no harvest, I can now provide meals to enjoy together. This support has truly changed my life and helped me feel more secure and hopeful for the future."

"In the coming year, my goal is to start goat farming because goats are more affordable and easier to maintain than cows, even though I already have one cow. I plan to save at least $10 monthly from my transfers to accumulate enough to buy one goat at a time. Currently, a goat costs around $50 due to high demand, but with steady savings, I know I can reach that amount. Starting with one goat, I hope to slowly build a herd, which will provide my family with a reliable source of income through offspring and meat selling. Over time, this will not only improve our financial stability but also allow me to expand the farm."

"Since receiving the unconditional cash from GiveDirectly, the biggest difference I've seen is that I was finally able to pay off the school fees arrears for my two children. Before this, they were at risk of being sent home. I mainly depend on maize farming, which I sell to Kenya Seed to raise money. The unfortunate part is that Kenya Seed often delays their payments for a long time, and this has always been a challenge for us. Without timely payments, it’s difficult to handle urgent expenses like school fees, but now, thanks to GiveDirectly, I’ve been able to cover those costs without worrying about when the payments from my maize will come through."

"I was at home with my grandchildren when I heard a message notification on my phone. Since I can't read, I asked one of my grandchildren to check it for me. To our surprise, it was a message from GiveDirectly, and they had sent $180! I was filled with joy and gratitude at that moment. Excited, I knew I needed help to withdraw the money, so I immediately went to my assigned helper to assist me. The support from GiveDirectly meant so much to me, and I couldn’t wait to use the money for my needs. The happiness I felt was overwhelming, and I was truly thankful for the help."

"The biggest difference since I received cash transfers from GiveDirectly has been in my daughter’s education. For the first time, she was able to start school on time with the other students because her school fees were paid. Ever since I settled her fees, she has been in school consistently, unlike before when she spent many days at home due to a lack of fees. This used to put her at a disadvantage, but now she can focus fully on her studies. Another major change was during my delivery. I was able to go through the process without the stress of worrying about huge hospital bills, which ensured my safety. After I was discharged, I returned home knowing that I had enough food to eat, which was a great relief. These changes have made a big impact on my life and my family’s well-being, and I am so grateful to GiveDirectly for their support."

"My current house is small, cramped, and has leaking issues, which makes it difficult for my family to sleep comfortably. To enhance our living conditions, I intend to set aside a portion of my transfers in our savings group. Once the savings reach maturity in December, I will withdraw them and allocate the funds towards constructing a new two-room house for my family, ensuring that we can rest comfortably and stay warm. Furthermore, I aim to expand my livestock by using the transfers to purchase goats, in addition to the chickens I already own. The chickens are expected to multiply, allowing me to sell them in case of any unforeseen emergencies. The goats will increase in number and value, eventually enabling me to exchange them for cows in the future. These cows will then be utilized for plowing my farm. I am truly appreciative and optimistic about my plans as they hold significant importance for me."

"My main objective for the upcoming year is to ensure that my children receive a good education so that they can become self-sufficient. I personally missed out on the opportunity to go to school due to lack of educational support, and I am determined to provide my children with better opportunities. The financial assistance from GiveDirectly has been tremendously beneficial, as it has been covering the costs of my children's education. In addition to this support, I plan to contribute to their education using the income I earn from casual jobs. I am confident that with the help of this program, my children will be able to achieve their goals. I have one child in secondary school and four in primary school, and I am fully committed to ensuring that each of them receives the education they rightfully deserve."

"My plan after completing high school is to pursue a college education. Unfortunately, my mother can't cover my tuition fees alone, so I'm considering poultry farming as an investment. I started with a few chickens, but there was an outbreak that killed all five of them. Initially, I planned to invest in chickens and then exchange them for goats, but after this setback, I've decided to save part of my earnings and buy goats instead. At first, I chose chickens because of their fast multiplication rate, but now I've changed my mindset. I believe that by raising goats and selling them, I'll be able to fund my college education once I complete my secondary school education. This is my goal for the coming year and beyond."

"I was filled with anxiety while I worked on a neighbor's tomato farm, worried because some of the women I was with had received their first transfer from GiveDirectly, and I had left my phone at home charging. I couldn't stop thinking about whether I had received mine, and I couldn’t wait to finish work and rush home. As soon as I got home that evening, the first thing I did was check my phone, and I was so happy to see that I had received my transfer too. In that moment, I knew I could finally fulfill my intended plans."