"Financial constraints are the biggest challenge for us.I depend on livestock keeping and charcoal burning to make ends meet. Lately, there has been prolonged drought and after being displaced by insecurity from my place, I have never settled well. I borrowed a house temporarily and getting money to purchase a piece of land has been challenging."

"I currently have five goats that I purchased with the transfers I received over the past few months. My goal is to become a livestock farmer and to achieve this, I plan to strategically use my GiveDirectly cash transfers to buy more goats. Once I've built up a substantial herd, I plan to exchange them for cows. These cows will multiply, providing me with a reliable source of milk, offspring, and income when sold. The cattle will be a valuable asset that can be leveraged when needed, offering a safety net for my family."

"For now, the only goal on my mind is to focus on expanding the vegetable and shop business I am currently operating. I have been at a standstill for some time due to a lack of funds, but I plan to use my upcoming transfers to increase my stock. Expanding my business means I can ensure my family's needs are comfortably met, including paying my children's fees. This will bring me joy and peace of mind since I have been the breadwinner. As this is my only source of income, I need to put more energy into it. Therefore, I believe that by the end of this year, I will have achieved this goal as I will start saving from the transfers for this purpose."

"I currently have five goats and two chickens, which bring me a lot of joy. My plan is to focus on buying more animals before my transfers come to an end. Once the goats multiply to a good number, I will sell them to purchase cows, which is my main goal. Cows are expensive, and I know I need to invest in goats first to afford them. I want to buy dairy cows because they will provide milk for both domestic and commercial use, generating income for my family. Additionally, I aim to expand our house by adding three rooms to create a better living space for my three childrens, as we currently live in just one room. Once I achieve my initial goal, I will use my transfers to buy building materials and any extra income I earn from my side hustles. I am very grateful to Give Directly for their financial support"

"When I received the cash transfer, the first thing I thought of was buying goats. I used $100 from the money to purchase two goats, knowing they would be a great source of income in the future. For us, goats are like savings—they multiply over time, and we can sell them whenever we need money for emergencies. This gave me peace of mind, knowing that I now have a reliable way to support myself and my wife in case something happens.The rest of the money went towards buying food. My wife and I are old now, and we usually rely on our children to help us with food and other essentials. But since I received this transfer, I felt it was my turn to take some pressure off them. With the money, I was able to stock up on enough food, which not only benefited us but also allowed our children to focus on their own families without worrying about us for a while.I feel very blessed because our life has been good overall. Our children are employed and have been taking care of us, but this transfer gave me the chance to do something for myself and my family. We live a peaceful life with our three grandchildren often visiting to keep us company. Thanks to this support, I feel secure and content, knowing that I have made a wise investment with the goats and helped ease the burden on my children."

"Before receiving the money from GiveDirectly, life was extremely stressful for me. My son, who has been disabled for the past six years, needed regular hospital checkups, but I often didn’t have the money to take him. The stress of seeing him suffer at home without the care he needed was overwhelming. I depended on fundraising to pay for his medical expenses, but it was never guaranteed that I would have enough. This uncertainty made life very difficult for my family and me. After receiving the transfer, I was able to immediately take my son to Kijabe Hospital with the $100 I set aside for his checkups. It brought me so much relief to finally afford his treatment without worrying about finding the money. Additionally, the transfer allowed me to harvest 10 bags of maize from my farm, which gave us food and some financial security. Now, I am planning to focus more on farming to ensure I can continue paying for his hospital bills without relying on others. Thanks to GiveDirectly, my life has changed significantly, and I feel hopeful that I can better support my family moving forward."

"When I received my unconditional cash transfer, it was a great relief for me and my family. I used $15,000 to pay laborers and hire a tractor for transportation, which helped me harvest 33 bags of maize. As a father of nine children, with some in university and others in secondary school, I felt the pressure to provide for their education. My wife is not working because she is taking care of my elderly mother, so I am the sole breadwinner. Life was tough, but this transfer changed everything for us.With the remaining money, I spent $3,000 on clothing and $2,000 on food. Before, we struggled to afford good clothes, but now we can finally buy what we need to look presentable. It was important for us to feel good and shine, especially since my children are in school and need to look their best. Having enough food to eat has also brought joy to our household.Thanks to this support, our lives have improved significantly. I no longer have to rely solely on charcoal burning for income, and I can focus more on my family's needs. We are very happy now, and I am grateful for the help that allowed us to thrive. This transfer has truly made a difference in our lives."

"When I received my unconditional cash transfer, it felt like a new beginning for my family. With the funds in hand, I carefully planned how to use the money to make the biggest impact. I decided to invest in livestock by purchasing four sheep for $205, which would help provide for my children, especially when it came to covering school fees. I also allocated $80 to my maize harvest, ensuring we had enough food to sustain us. When I harvested the maize, I was able to collect 25 bags, which was enough to feed our family and also helped pay for my children's school fees. Before this transfer, I often had to borrow money to harvest maize. Additionally, I went to town to buy five chickens for $20. These chickens will supply us with fresh eggs, but I can also sell them to get additional income when necessary. I also used part of the funds to buy a new sofa set for $50, replacing our old, worn-out furniture. My children had been eagerly waiting for new clothes since I had promised them that when I received the second transfer, I would buy them new clothes. I set aside another $50 for that. Seeing their excitement brought me immense joy and fulfillment.Finally, I purchased cement for $10 to repair the cracks in our house. With the remaining money, I stocked up on food for our family. I used to rely on charcoal burning and selling vegetables to get by. Now, I feel a sense of stability and hope for the future, knowing that these investments will support my family and provide a better life for us all."

"Receiving my unconditional cash transfer of $450 was a turning point for my family. I decided to invest in livestock because they provide not only food but also a source of income. I purchased a cow for $250 that is almost ready to give birth, and I bought four goats for $180. To my joy, two of the sheep have already given birth, and one even had twins! These animals will help secure our future, as I love livestock and see them as a way to build stability for my family, especially since sheep multiply easily. I also allocated $10 for my children’s school uniforms and another $10 for food. With seven children to support, it has been challenging to keep up with their needs, especially since they had been going without uniforms for too long. My husband, who works as a bodaboda rider, and I depend on charcoal burning and casual jobs to make ends meet, but it often isn’t enough. I want my children to have a better life, and ensuring they can attend school is a vital step toward that goal. Looking ahead, I see great potential for growth with the livestock. They will provide milk for my children and can be sold for school fees when needed. After losing all my previous animals to drought, I am filled with hope as I watch my new livestock multiply. This investment not only gives us food security but also a sense of pride and stability. I am determined to create a better future for my family, and with each passing day, I feel that dream becoming more attainable."

"When I received my unconditional cash transfer, it felt like a turning point for my family. With $200, I was able to harvest the maize from my farm. I hired laborers to help with the work and rented a lorry to transport the maize to the board where it can be processed and sold. We had planted Kenya seed maize, known for its quality, so this was an important investment for us. Before receiving this support, I struggled to pay for school fees and basic needs for my ten children, often relying on charcoal burning and livestock sales when necessary. After using part of the funds for the harvest, I allocated another $200 to pay for my children’s school fees. Education is vital for their future, and I wanted to ensure they didn’t miss out due to financial struggles. With so many children, it can be challenging to keep up with all the expenses, but I was determined to provide them with the opportunities they deserve. My livestock, including cows and goats, usually serve as a backup source of income, but I only sell them when absolutely necessary. With the remaining $50, I purchased food for my family since the maize harvest takes time to process. This cash transfer has truly changed our lives. I feel relieved knowing my children are in school and that we have enough food for now. I’m hopeful for the future, especially with the upcoming payout from the maize we expect in three months, which will help us continue building a better life for our family. I am grateful for this support."