"My main goal is to establish a business focused on buying and selling chickens or other livestock like goats. Being at a young age, I aim to create a source of self-reliance beyond the cash transfer period. I believe this business will generate income to support my family's needs and alleviate the pressure on my grandmother, our main provider. I've been saving $20 monthly from the cash transfers, and I plan to continue saving, aiming to accumulate a lump sum next year to kick-start the venture."

"My goals include continuing to support my children's education and expanding my livestock holdings, particularly focusing on goats and sheep. Owning these animals will not only contribute to my children's education but also serve as a lasting legacy of the positive impact of the cash transfers. I am truly grateful for the transformative effect the cash transfers have had on my family's life, helping to keep my children in school, secure livestock, and move closer to building a new house."

"The most significant change in my daily life is the realization of my goal to swiftly pay my son's school fees, a feat I once believed unattainable due to financial limitations. It is truly a dream come true. The satisfaction and relief I feel, knowing that my son is comfortably pursuing his studies at a university far from home, are immense. I express gratitude for the assistance that has elevated our standard of living."

"In my old age, I depend on my sons for assistance as my capacity for work has diminished. Unfortunately, their support is barely sufficient to meet all my needs. However, when GiveDirectly entered our village and announced the unconditional cash transfers, a glimmer of hope for a significant improvement in our lives emerged. I share my home with my grandchild, having parted ways with my wife long ago, and I had to single-handedly care for my children. With the additional funds, I chose to invest in essential household items, including a $25 mattress, a $6 table, and other items totaling $47. I allocated $40 to purchase barbed wire to fence my land, ensuring a secure space for others to cultivate crops for me without intrusion from animals like goats that could damage my plants. I am profoundly thankful for this newfound opportunity to enhance my living conditions."

"The biggest difference in my daily life is the reduction of stress, as the assurance of abundant food in our home has replaced the previous struggles arising from financial difficulties. We used to go to bed on an empty stomach due to a lack of cash flow in our household. I am eternally grateful for the support that has significantly enhanced our quality of life."

"Upon receiving the transfer, I recognized it as the perfect opportunity to acquire essential household items like bedding and plastic chairs, which I had been unable to afford due to financial constraints. My old age and disability make it challenging for me to work, so I rely on my children to make ends meet. I am married, although my wife lives in a neighboring town, and we are blessed with six children. I allocated $60 to purchase decent bedding, including a mattress and a bed, and spent $36 on two plastic chairs and a table. Additionally, I invested $50 in buying clothes. The remaining $80 was utilized to purchase essential food items, crucial for our well-being. I am delighted to have ample food in the house, a significant improvement from the past when I could only afford one meal a day. Thus, I am forever grateful for the positive change in our circumstances."

"The biggest difference in my daily life since receiving the first transfer is the abundance of food for my family of two. By allocating a substantial portion of the funds to foodstuffs, we now enjoy a varied and balanced diet, a stark contrast to the days when we had to stick to the same type of meal for an entire week. I express my gratitude to GiveDirectly for the unconditional transfer, which provided us with the flexibility to spend as we saw fit without any restrictions. Currently, I am excited about the prospect of revitalizing subsistence farming, a step that will contribute to long-term food security for our household."

"For a considerable time, my main reliance was on small-scale farming, which often faced uncertainty due to unpredictable weather conditions, and occasional livestock sales to meet various household expenses. Receiving the first transfer marked a significant relief for me, as it provided a lump sum that I could allocate to diverse needs simultaneously. As soon as my son collected it from the nearby shopping center, I utilized the first transfer by purchasing three plastic chairs and a mattress, spending a total of $37. The old mattresses I had been using were uncomfortable, causing backaches, so the new mattress was a much-needed improvement. Additionally, I allocated $106 to buy foodstuffs, including two sacks of maize and beans, ensuring sustenance until the next transfer. The remaining $37 was spent on essential household items, such as kitchen consumables and toiletries, addressing needs that were previously unmet."

"The moment the first transfer arrived was quite unexpected and filled with a mix of emotions. To my surprise, my helper received the full amount on his phone while I didn't even receive a message on mine. Curiosity led me to check with other immediate households, and it turned out many elderly recipients were in the same situation. Concerned, we contacted the office, and the assurance that we would receive it soon provided relief. After three days, the celebration ensued as we all received the transfer. My helper, being the first to know, ensured I confirmed the news before anyone else. It was a moment of immense happiness and gratitude, knowing that I could finally accomplish all the plans I had in mind."

"Leaving my phone behind, I ventured out to the shops to purchase some groceries, lost in the rhythm of daily errands. Returning home around 3 p.m., I glanced at my phone to find an unexpected MPESA message from Segovia Technology. The surge of elation upon seeing it was indescribable, especially after hearing others had received their transfers. Excitement bubbled within me, and I could not wait to share this news with my children, who were equally thrilled at the possibilities ahead. Choosing to withdraw the transfers after a couple of days allowed me to plan thoughtfully. Those transfers held the promise of fulfilling my aspirations—a chance to support my children's education, reconnect water to our compound, and invest in my business. The sense of certainty that these plans would now come to fruition brought a renewed sense of hope and determination."