"I am a father of five children, working at construction sites to provide for my family. When I received my first transfer of $550, I knew exactly what I needed to do. Our house, which had stood for four years, was beginning to show signs of wear and tear, and the strong winds we often faced worried me. To secure my family's safety, I spent $270 on buying cement and building sand and paid for labor to plaster and reinforce the house. This decision brought me peace, knowing that my family would be better protected. At the same time, my son Kelvin was in his final year of secondary school, and he had an outstanding fee balance of $130. I used $100 from the transfer to pay off a large part of this balance, I felt relieved that I had taken a big step toward securing his education. Additionally, I knew the importance of hygiene and preventing diseases, so I spent $150 to construct a pit latrine for my family. This not only provided us with a cleaner environment but also ensured our health was safeguarded. With the remaining $30, I bought food, ensuring we had enough to eat. This transfer has significantly improved our lives, and I am grateful for the opportunities it has created for my family."

"I am a mother of eight, and we rely on my husband, who works as a watchman, while I do salon work at home to support our family. When I received my first transfer, my main goal was to renovate the roof of our house, which had been in terrible condition and leaking during the rains. I immediately decided to buy all the materials needed for the renovation, which included 20 pieces of iron sheets, three ridges, four kilograms of nails, and roofing poles. These materials cost me $480, but it was worth every penny. After fixing the roof, our home feels more secure, and we no longer have to worry about water seeping through during storms. In addition to the roof renovation, I used $50 to pay for school fees for my children. Education is a priority for us, and ensuring they remain in school is essential for their future. I also allocated $20 for food to provide for my family’s basic needs. These transfers have truly made a difference, and I feel a sense of relief knowing that my family now lives in a more comfortable home, and my children’s education is not disrupted. The support we received has allowed us to address our most pressing challenges, and for that, I am incredibly grateful."

"Since I started receiving payments from GiveDirectly, the biggest difference in my life has been the comfort and security my family now enjoys. Before, we lived in a poor house with a leaking roof, and it pained me to see my family struggling in such conditions. With the transfers, I was able to renovate the roof, and now my family lives comfortably in a good, safe house. This change has brought us peace and relief. Additionally, I used part of the money to reduce the school fee balance for my children, which has lifted a heavy burden off my shoulders. Now, I can focus on other priorities, knowing my children’s education is progressing well and my family no longer has to worry about the house. These changes have brought us much-needed stability, something I couldn’t provide before."

"I am a mother of two, and my husband works as a plumber, though his income isn’t always guaranteed. I run small businesses that vary with the seasons; sometimes selling charcoal, other times clothes. With the first transfer of $550, I carefully considered how to use it for my family’s future. The first thing I did was buy a cow for $280. I see this as a long-term investment because the cow will provide milk for both sale and family consumption. This is an essential step in helping me provide for my family more steadily. Along with the cow, I also bought a goat for $40, adding to the flock I already have, bringing the total to five goats now. Since we relied heavily on my husband’s inconsistent income, I also needed to ensure we had enough food. So, I spent $43 on a sack of maize, ensuring that we have a stable supply of food at home. For my family’s well-being, I bought clothes worth $16, and I also contributed $30 toward the burial expenses of a relative. After taking care of these immediate needs, I saved the remaining $141 for the unforeseen future. Having this money set aside brings me peace, knowing I have something to fall back on. I am happy and proud that I now have an investment that will help secure my family’s future.""

"Ever since I began receiving payments from GiveDirectly, the biggest change in my life has been the ability to own livestock, something I never thought possible. This is a significant investment that will ensure my family's future. I now have one cow and five goats, which is a major advancement for us. The cow will provide milk for my children, and any surplus can be sold for income. Knowing that this investment will benefit my children as they grow brings me peace of mind. Owning livestock has given me the confidence to plan for the future and support my family in ways I never thought I could."

"When insecurity broke out in Ng'aratuko, my family of eight relocated to Chebarisiat village for safety. The trauma was unbearable, especially after losing my husband to gunshots in 2022. Here in Chebarisiat, a kind-hearted person offered us space to set up a temporary tent. Life has been challenging, particularly when it comes to finances and putting food on the table. We depend on goat rearing and poultry farming to make a living, and I often sell some goats and chicken to buy food for the household. However, I am worried as their numbers are decreasing, and I fear I might soon struggle to provide for my family."

"I understand that GiveDirectly won't be around forever; we’ve been informed that the program lasts for five years, so we need to make wise decisions about how we spend our funds. I live in a house with crumbling walls, and during the rainy season, the situation worsens because we live in a swampy area. I don’t want to keep making costly repairs, so I’ve started saving part of my transfer in our merry-go-round group to enable me to buy bricks and build a durable three-room house. This is my goal for the coming year and beyond. Having a good home provides peace of mind and pride. However, when the rains come, we are filled with worry because our house is in such poor condition; at times, I fear it might collapse due to the weak walls. Additionally, I’ve begun buying goats, which I plan to sell for building materials once they multiply. This way, by the time the house is completed, I can still benefit from my investment in the goats as they continue to reproduce."

"I’m glad to have achieved my dream of building my house and also providing a home for my children. My house is a two-room structure, but as my children grow, they need privacy since they’ll soon be adults. That’s why I decided to build them their own house. I accomplished all of this with the help of GiveDirectly transfers, for which I am very grateful. I know we were given this support for a limited time, so I thought about starting a goat rearing project, which I plan to invest in for the coming year and beyond. I prefer goat rearing because I can afford to buy them, and they are not expensive to maintain. Additionally, goats thrive in our environment. Since I have school-going children, I want to make the most of my transfers by investing in goats. They will help me in the future with paying fees for my children. Rearing goats is also advantageous because they multiply quickly, and some even have twins, which increases their financial value."

"I am struggling to put food on the table for my family of nine. We do not have a stable source of family income, it is also difficult to get a casual job in my community. We are keeping and rearing goats to support our family. This area is arid and semi arid area and it does not support crop farming. We were displaced by cattle rustlers in March 2024 and this has made our life unbearable. We’re concerned that the homeowner might ask us to leave. My daughter Purity is studying at Kipcherere Secondary School, while Abel attends Sibilo Secondary School. I am glad they are doing well in their studies, although I am struggling to pay their school fee arrears on my limited income."

"In the coming year and beyond, I plan to open a shop selling colorful African fabric to help cover my school fees. With my mom selling charcoal and my dad supporting her, finances have been tight. I intend to buy African fabric in bulk and have my mother sell it for me, using the profits to fund my education. Additionally, I’m raising two goats and waiting for them to breed so I can sell the offspring and save for my future, as I aim to attend college. Next year, I also want to start buying pigs with part of my monthly transfers. I’m interested in pig rearing because they produce many piglets at once, and with proper care, they can provide a good income. I see this as an extra source of income to enhance my savings, which I plan to use to support my college education after finishing secondary school."