"Before receiving the Give Directly cash transfer I used to toil hard every single day to afford the most basic needs. I would go to the forest to cut down trees and make charcoal then struggle to find buyers for me to earn some little cash to cater for my kids school fees and afford the most basic needs for my family. Despite the hard work and struggle I was still not able to sustain my family, there are days that we would go hungry and my kids were sent back home due to fee arrears. After receiving the cash transfer, I've been able to clear most of kids school fees and cater for my basic needs. I can now have a breather as I plan for next year."

"For over a decade now , my family and I have never had the pleasure of sleeping on a bed and the comfort of a mattress since the beds we owned were made from sisal. This is what we could afford. That is why I made it my mission that this money allow my family and I to afford this luxury. After thinking about it critically, the idea of buying a bed and mattress would be more costly if I had to buy the stuff from the store. Therefore, I decided to find a carpenter who would make the beds from scratch. I found someone who owned a chainsaw and they cut down a tree from my farm which cost me 80 USD. After that, I went ahead to hire a carpenter who made four beds from the tree that had been cut down for 180 USD. I was excited that everything was going to plan. Later, I proceeded to purchase four mattresses for 260 USD and my vision finally came to life. Finally the last 30 USD was sufficiently spent on nutrition by purchasing a sack of maize flour because as I had mentioned my family and I were on the verge of starvation."

"For over a decade now , my family and I have never had the pleasure of sleeping on a bed and the comfort of a mattress since the beds we owned were made from sisal. This is what we could afford. That is why I made it my mission that this money allow my family and I to afford this luxury. After thinking about it critically, the idea of buying a bed and mattress would be more costly if I had to buy the stuff from the store. Therefore, I decided to find a carpenter who would make the beds from scratch. I found someone who owned a chainsaw and they cut down a tree from my farm which cost me 80 USD. After that, I went ahead to hire a carpenter who made four beds from the tree that had been cut down for 180 USD. I was excited that everything was going to plan. Later, I proceeded to purchase four mattresses for 260 USD and my vision finally came to life. Finally the last 30 USD was sufficiently spent on nutrition by purchasing a sack of maize flour because as I had mentioned my family and I were on the verge of starvation."

"When I received $450 from GiveDirectly, I immediately used $200 to buy three sheep and construct a modern boma to keep them secure. Owning sheep will help ensure the sustainability of this support, as they will allow me to meet future challenges without worry. I used $100 to plant beans on two acres of land, which will provide food for my household. I also plan to sell any surplus to generate income, helping me initiate more projects. Additionally, I spent $100 to build an outside kitchen, something I lacked before, which has created more space for my family. Finally, I used $50 to buy food, addressing our most significant need, especially now that we’ve received this support. I didn’t want my family to struggle with food, and thanks to GiveDirectly, we can now have enough to eat."

"Going forward, my focus will be entirely on farming, as I believe this is the key to improving my life. I plan to occasionally change crops to ensure that my farm remains productive and adaptable to different seasons. By reinvesting in farming, I can continuously improve my livelihood and create a steady income for my family. This approach gives me the confidence that I can provide for my household and achieve long-term sustainability. The thought of being able to grow my farm, make better choices, and improve our lives fills me with joy and satisfaction."

"Upon receiving $450 from GiveDirectly, I immediately allocated it to address my most pressing needs. I have two children in school—a daughter in college and a son who is joining university. I used $340 to pay their school fees balance, cover their rent, and provide some upkeep. This support lifted a huge burden off my shoulders, as I typically rely on selling livestock and organizing fundraisers to manage school fees. After addressing education expenses, I used $50 to buy a sheep. I understand the importance and benefits of livestock, especially in generating income and providing long-term financial security. The remaining money went towards stocking food for my family. Due to the recent floods, I had no harvest, but thanks to GiveDirectly, my family now has enough to eat. This support has been a blessing, and I am truly grateful."

"I have two primary goals for this year and beyond to complete the construction of my house and to invest further in my business. The completion of my house will depend on the last transfer from GiveDirectly, which I plan to use to finalize the construction. This will be a significant milestone for me because the floods destroyed my previous home, and owning a house again will bring stability and security to my family. Additionally, I plan to invest in the business I started with the first transfers. This step is crucial as it will ensure a steady flow of income to my household. With this income, I will be able to meet my family’s daily needs without constant worry. These goals fill me with hope and determination, and I am grateful to GiveDirectly for allowing me to rebuild and work toward a better future."

"Going forward, my immediate goal for this year and the years to come is to complete the payment for the cow for which I have already made a deposit. Once that is done, I plan to focus on improving my home by purchasing necessary furniture. This includes a closet, a table, and sofa sets that will not only bring comfort to my family but also enhance the appearance and functionality of our living space. The thought of achieving these goals and creating a more comfortable and organized home fills my heart with deep satisfaction and gratitude. I am excited about the positive changes these plans will bring to my family’s daily life."

"I was overjoyed when I received $450 from GiveDirectly. At the time, I was broke, but I had already planned how to use the money wisely. First, I spent $240 to buy four sheep, marking the start of a long-term investment. Owning sheep was a new venture for me, and I am confident that as they reproduce and grow into a larger flock, they will provide me with the means to face future challenges without worry. Next, I used $100 to lease land where I plan to plant maize early next year with seeds from the Kenya Seed Company. This farming initiative will not only help me generate extra income but also address the urgent food needs of my family. When I received this transfer, I had already planted tomatoes using the first transfer, so I allocated $50 to buy pesticides to ensure a healthy harvest. This will further strengthen my food supply and income. Lastly, I used the remaining money to buy food and clothes for my three children. Despite not having a harvest due to the recent floods, we now have enough food to sustain us, and my children feel supported and included. This support has brought hope and relief to my family, and I am incredibly grateful for it."

"I am deeply thankful to GiveDirectly for their support. Recently, I received $450 from them, and I decided to focus not only on addressing my most pressing needs but also on investing in things that will help me generate more income in the future. First, I used $50 to clear the school fees balance for two of my children in primary school. They had missed a few days of school because of unpaid fees, but since I made the payment, they haven’t missed a single day. This transfer came at a critical time because I had been struggling after floods swept away my farm, which was my only source of income for paying fees. This shows just how timely and impactful this support was. With that taken care of, I used the remaining $400 to invest in farming. This amount went toward buying farming equipment I didn’t own before, including water pipes, a water pump, and a generator. These tools have transformed my farming activities, as I can now pump water from the river to my farm. This shift from rain-fed agriculture to irrigation will ensure that my farming is more consistent and reliable. With irrigation, I am confident that I will have a steady income, enabling me to raise my family’s standard of living by providing better education and ensuring food security. This support has given me hope and a clear path toward building a brighter future for my family."