"I am a single mother of one, relying on casual jobs to provide for my child. When I received my most recent transfers, I knew I had to make decisions that would secure our future. First, I invested $100 in buying two goats. I chose goats because they are easy to maintain and have a steady market, making them a smart way to build wealth over time. After that, I spent $150 on a bed and a mattress. I had been sleeping on the floor for quite some time, and being able to afford a bed felt like a huge step forward in improving our living conditions. With food being our biggest challenge, I invested $93 in agriculture. I planted maize for our food supply and beans to sell, which will help me generate some income while ensuring my child never goes hungry. I also started a small grocery business with $60 to help me bring in additional money regularly. To prioritize my child’s education, I used $35 to pay her school fees. With the remaining $65, I bought food to keep us going, and I saved $47 for any unexpected emergencies. These choices have made me feel more secure about the future, knowing I’ve taken steps to create stability for my family."

"When I woke up that morning, I reached for my phone, expecting the usual notifications. However, as I unlocked it, a message made my heart skip a beat. I saw that I had received the promised transfer from GiveDirectly. For a moment, I just stared at the screen, letting it sink in. A wave of happiness washed over me, knowing that this money would change so much for my family. My first thought was to invest in livestock. I pictured the goats in my mind, a long-term investment that would provide income and security for us in the future. I felt relieved and hopeful, ready to seize this opportunity and make the most of it."

"I am a father depending on casual work to provide for my family, and when I received my first transfer, I knew I had to use it wisely. The first thing I did was invest in goats, a long-term asset that can grow in value. I bought three high-breed goats for $180, which will help me generate income in the future through breeding and selling. Alongside the goats, I also purchased two chickens and two ducks for $20. These will provide eggs for my family and allow me to grow a small poultry business to supplement our food supply. After securing these investments, I turned my attention to improving my comfort. For a long time, I had been sleeping on an old, uncomfortable mattress, so I decided to buy a new one for $53. Now, I can sleep peacefully and wake up refreshed, ready to face the day's work. With the remaining amount, I invested in agriculture by growing maize. This will not only provide food for my family but also serve as an additional source of income when the crops are harvested. These transfers have allowed me to improve my family’s well-being and secure a brighter future."

"I am planning to reopen my small hotel, which focuses on selling food items, and this is my main goal for the coming year and beyond. The hotel previously failed due to a lack of water, as we are currently experiencing significant drought, making water very scarce. Those who have it are selling a 20-liter jerrican for Kes 50, which is quite expensive. This was one of the major challenges that led to the closure of my hotel. I am solely responsible for taking care of our children since my spouse and I separated. Life is very challenging, but I am grateful for the support from GiveDirectly, which allows me to earn something and plan for my family's needs. Additionally, I have moved in with my children to my parents’ place, where I receive some support from them; otherwise, life would be unbearable. To achieve my dream of reopening the business, I save a portion of my transfer so that I will be prepared without facing challenges when the time comes. I am thankful to be part of this program."

"We never had the opportunity for an education, which has put us at a disadvantage for a long time. As I look at my children, I want to ensure they don’t face the same struggles we have experienced as their parents. We are determined for them to receive an education, and as I mentioned before, all my transfers will be directed towards their schooling. Additionally, I burn and sell charcoal to earn extra money to help my spouse support our family. With a large family like ours, it requires both of us to work extra hard so we can provide our children with their basic needs. Therefore, in the coming year and beyond, my spouse and I will concentrate on caring for our children, particularly making sure they receive the best education possible."

"Earlier, I had planned to replace my old, dilapidated door. It does not give my home a welcoming look, nor does it provide the level of security that I need. I managed to buy all the necessary materials for a new door and was only left with hiring labor to install it. But just as I was preparing to move forward, my family was struck by tragedy. My dear daughter-in-law fell seriously ill and, heartbreakingly, lost her battle with the illness which shook us deeply. I had to put everything else on hold to focus on saying goodbye to her with the dignity and love she deserved. Now, as I look ahead to this coming year and beyond, I want to pick up where I left off. I plan to use a portion of my transfers to finally cover the labor costs and get the new door installed, bringing a fresh, secure look to my home. After that, I hope to gradually invest in purchasing more goats adding to what I already have using another portion of my transfers hoping they will multiply, growing in both number and value, so that in the future I will have something to rely on when this program comes to an end. Additionally, I rely on my son for support, but his income is unstable and I do not want to place too much of a burden on him. To ease this, I plan to use some of my transfers to help provide food for myself, supplementing the little he manages to bring in so he does not have to shoulder this responsibility alone. I am incredibly grateful to GiveDirectly for this support"

"Now that I’ve finished building my two-room house with the help of some of the transfers I received a while ago, I have a new goal: to buy more goats and keep them at my homestead. I feel that my financial struggles have partly been due to a lack of dependable assets that I could sell when needed. To achieve this, I’m now planning to save about $20 each month from my transfers, so I can fulfill this dream as soon as possible. Once I reach my goal, I’ll be in a good position to sell some goats and pay my bills on time, especially since I don’t have a permanent job at the moment. Having goats at home will also ease my burden, as I won’t need to borrow money in case of emergencies. Instead, I’ll be able to sell one or two goats and settle any expenses that come up."

"I've always had a desire to pursue poultry farming, particularly raising chickens. Unfortunately, earlier this year, there was an outbreak of chicken disease in my area that wiped out all the poultry. As a result, I've decided to abandon the poultry project and focus on goats instead. I believe that goat farming presents a great business opportunity, as one mature goat can generate significant income. This investment will help me cover my children's school fees and other essential expenses while also providing support for my husband. Furthermore, I'm interested in starting a small fish business to complement the goat rearing project. To achieve these two goals, I plan to use my transfer to invest in them, and these are my objectives for the coming year and beyond."

"GiveDirectly does well in supporting the poor by providing unconditional cash transfers, which have a transformative impact on individuals and communities. Their officers communicated well during our community meeting, clearly explaining the source and purpose of the funds, which helped build trust and transparency. During enrollment, there was no discrimination, as everyone was included without bias. The follow-up process is also commendable, as it allows the organization to assess the program's impact and ensure that the support is making a real difference. I see no areas for improvement; GiveDirectly should continue with the same approach, as it is effective and fair."

"The moment I interacted with the staff, I felt a sense of honesty that was refreshing. They were straightforward and transparent, openly sharing how the program worked and what I could expect. They made it clear that bribery was not tolerated, stating firmly that it would be an offense. It was reassuring to know that this was an organization built on trust, where the staff stood by their principles without compromise. What struck me even more was their commitment to fairness. GiveDirectly ensured that everyone deserving received the support they needed, without any discrimination. I felt respected and valued, knowing that I was treated just like anyone else in the community who needed help. This unconditional support made a profound difference in my life, empowering me to make choices that I had long thought were out of reach. With GiveDirectly, I experienced not just financial relief but also a deep sense of dignity."