"By next year, I plan to start keeping sheep in my homestead for business purposes. After conducting my own research, I discovered that sheep farming is thriving in this area, as there is consistently high demand. Since I am growing weary of the house construction work I currently handle, I believe this venture will be the best option for me and for those who depend on me. To achieve this goal, I am planning to borrow a loan from one of the microfinance groups I am part of. I am confident this is achievable because I have always been approved for loans since joining the initiative. With proper planning, I believe that once I buy the sheep and start the business, life will become much easier, especially when it comes to providing for my family."

"My plan is to get married once I harvest my crops and sell them. Life is very hard when you stay alone, and managing everything by myself has been challenging. Cooking for myself is difficult, and there is no one to help me at home. I believe that once I am able to sell my crops, I will have the financial stability to support a family. Having a partner would make life much easier, as we could share responsibilities and support each other. I am hopeful that with hard work and good harvests, I will be able to achieve this goal in the coming years."

"GiveDirectly taught us how to plan ourselves and use the money wisely, which was very helpful. They also brought peace to our village, as there were no conflicts between households during the process. I really appreciated their approach, as it made the whole experience smooth and stress-free. The officers were respectful and patient, making sure everyone understood the process clearly. I haven’t seen anything bad from GiveDirectly; everything went well. I’m grateful for their support and hope they continue to help more people in the future."

"My plan for the coming years is to relocate to my new plot of land once I receive my third transfer. I will clear the remaining bill for the land and move there immediately, as it will provide a safer environment for my family and me. I’ve been struggling with floods on my current land, which makes it difficult to farm and live peacefully. Once I move, I will focus on using the land for farming, where I hope to grow enough food and create a more stable life. I am determined to make the most of this opportunity, as I know it will improve my family's situation. Moving to this new land will give me peace of mind and a chance to rebuild our lives."

"When I received my unconditional cash transfer, I had a clear plan on how to use it. I decided to purchase a cow for $210, and I’m happy to say that it has already given birth. Now, I can enjoy fresh milk every day, which has significantly improved my family’s health. Before, we used to buy milk, but now that I have my own cow, I no longer have to spend money on it. Additionally, I used $120 to pay school fees for my two children. In the past, I relied on selling livestock to cover school fees, so I chose to keep my sheep instead of selling them, knowing they could bring in money in the future.Furthermore, I spent $20 to weed my farm, which had been destroyed by floods. The flood damage left me struggling, but I’m working hard to restore my farm so I can grow crops again. The remaining $100 went toward food for my family, as I rely on farming and casual jobs to provide for us. With five children to take care of, the money has been a great help. Since my husband passed away a long time ago, I have been managing everything on my own. This cash transfer has lightened my burden, allowing me to focus on building a better future for my children. I am truly grateful for the support, and it has made a big difference in our lives."

"I have been living in a small house with my four children, and it has been challenging, especially as they grow older. The space is too tight, and it’s not good to sleep in one room with my children. So, when I received the cash transfer, I decided to spend $300 on iron sheets and poles to help finish the house. My plan is to complete it when I receive my third transfer, creating more space for my family. A proper house will bring comfort and dignity, and I’m excited to see this project come to life.I also used $150 from the transfer to pay my children’s school fees. It has been tough trying to find money for their education, especially since I don't have a steady job. My wife and I rely on farming and casual jobs to survive, but it’s not always enough. Education is important for my children’s future, so I had no other option but to use this money for their fees. I’m grateful that the transfer helped me meet this urgent need. ks to the support from GiveDirectly, I feel a sense of relief. I now have the resources to provide my children with the education they deserve and the space they need at home. Life has not been easy, but with these investments, I can see a brighter future ahead for my family."

"My plan for the coming years is to lease a farm when I receive my third transfer, as I believe farming will greatly improve my life. Farming has always been a reliable way to provide for my family, and having a larger piece of land will allow me to grow enough crops for both food and income. In addition to crops, I intend to purchase livestock, which will graze on the grass from my farm. This approach will not only make good use of the land but also help me save on buying animal feed. With livestock, I can sell milk or animals when needed, creating a stable source of income. I am confident that this investment will strengthen my ability to sustain my family and secure a better future."

"I have been struggling since I lost my husband three years ago, leaving me to care for our 11 children on my own. Despite the challenges, I have remained determined to find ways to support my family. With the $450 I received, I decided to purchase water pipes to connect to a generator, allowing me to pump water from the river to my farm. This decision was crucial because my pawpaw plants require constant watering, and the river flow to the irrigation scheme had been blocked. Having a reliable water supply has transformed my farm, and my pawpaws are thriving as a result. The water pipes have not only improved my farm but also created an opportunity for me to sell water to my neighbors. This small business provides a steady income to meet my family’s daily needs. In addition to farming, I run a poultry business, which has been a lifeline for us. With these two ventures, I can feed my children and keep them in school. Knowing that I can depend on these income streams has brought some relief to my life and allowed me to focus on building a stable future. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to invest in something that has made such a significant difference in our lives. It gives me hope to see my farm flourishing and my children well provided for, even in difficult circumstances. This support has not only improved our livelihood but also restored my confidence in my ability to care for my family. The challenges remain, but with these investments, I feel better equipped to overcome them and secure a brighter future for us all."

"My goal for the coming years is to create a better and more comfortable life for my family. After harvesting all my tomatoes, I plan to use the income to build a larger house because the one we currently live in is too small and cannot accommodate all of us properly. Having a decent home will provide us with the space and comfort we need. I also intend to purchase a cow, which will not only provide milk for my family but also serve as an income source when the cow multiplies. Selling the extra milk and calves will help sustain us financially in the long run. These plans are essential to ensuring my family’s well-being and stability, and I feel hopeful about achieving them."

"I have been taking care of my ailing father for over 10 years now, with an unknown condition, and this has been the biggest challenge I am facing. Shortly after my mother passed on, my father developed an unknown condition which has drained me financially. I am the last born in a family of 4 yet we don't have any source of income apart from my four goats. In case my father becomes sick, I am forced to sell one or two to meet his medical expenses. Getting casual work here is hard to come by and when the chance to get one knocks, I barely earn beyond KES 250 a day. Coupled with all these, I feel life has been unfair to us as a family."