"My family consists of seven members, with five children actively attending school. Due to the harsh climatic conditions in our region, we have shifted our farming focus to livestock farming, specifically indigenous goat farming that can thrive in shrubs and thickets. We typically sell their offspring to meet our financial needs. When I received the first transfer, it was during a period where the sun was scorching, and I couldn't do any farming. Therefore, I used the entire $200 to buy four goats, each costing $50, which I added to our existing herd of 20. My intention is to breed them for milk production and offspring that we can sell in the future to pay for our children's school fees. I am grateful that the goats are doing quite well, especially after the onset of rain, as their feed is slowly sprouting."

"I live in a house made of mud and it is my goal to live in a more permanent house that will make my work during cleaning much easier. With this, it is my desire to build a brick house for my family and I believe that I will achieve this with time. In addition, it's my desire to own a piece of land where I can build some rental units. This will be an investment that I will not only enjoy but my children will also live to benefit from it. With the rental units in place and all occupied, it will be much easier for me to meet my family's needs on time."

"We formed a savings group in January with an aim of saving part of our transfers and later using it to improve our living standards. We're 25 members and I have been saving KES 1000 monthly. We will divide the money that we will be having in December as per everyone's contribution. Currently, I am planning to spend this money to start up a restaurant business that will enable me to generate income. This is because I am currently a house wife and I depend on my husband who also have other responsibilities since I am his second wife. I believe that by starting a business, my life will change positively and I will have something tangible that will always remind me of GiveDirectly."

"In the coming years, I want to have bought more goats. I am grateful that the transfers from March and February this year allowed me to obtain two goats which have thankfully survived to date. I am more inclined towards rearing goats because they can survive extreme weather conditions like drought compared to other kinds of livestock. Since am advanced in age and cannot work to fend for my family’s needs, establishing wealth through livestock keeping is the best alternative I could contribute towards the household expenses. I hope to spend the cash transfers to realize this goal."

"I was disappointed after my cattle perished from the adversities of the persistent drought in my area. I cannot imagine how much wealth I would have grown had they survived and given birth to offspring. Gladly, with the cash aid from Give Directly, I see hope in venturing back to rearing livestock, although I wish to switch to goats because they are more resilient than any other livestock. Owning goats will allow me to generate funds at any point in time to meet a pressing need such as buying food or supporting the education of my grandchildren."

"GiveDirectly has left a footprint on our hearts that cannot be erased. Those of us who have went into business will continue to enjoy the results of our labor for many years because I feel I will be in business for a long time. Our living conditions have improved, as has our morale in putting everything in place for the sake of our future; we will always remember GiveDirectly in this place. The fact that education came first in the community engagement forum, followed by enrollment processes, could not possibly cause any difficulties. I would advise that individuals be taught more about business and agriculture because these are the things that will continue to generate revenue after a while, unlike building houses and paying schools fees using the transfers before investing first."

"I bought land for $45 and it feels like a big chunk of stress has been rolled off my spine right now. For many years, we have lived at the mercy of my brother-in-law; my husband lost his ability to speak partially a few years ago, and it is only when his brother helped us with a place to live that we have found no peace, because he kept reminding me after every minute that we do not own anything whenever we disagree on something. With his current state, he is unable to even find a casual job because people prefer those with whom they can converse, as compared to him, who was struggling to be understood. We also spent $4 on school fees for the entire term, and I am relieved that my daughter will not be returned home for obvious reasons. Finally, food is one of the most stressful things, especially when children are involved, so we had to spend the remaining amount on it. We thank God for making this possible through GiveDirectly."

"The most significant difference in our lives right now is that we have food and, more importantly, we have launched our own farming business that we can manage as a family and earn money for all of our needs afterwards. Being active on the farm has also greatly aided our mental health because we are happier, less anxious, and less frustrated by the issues we face."

"Right from the beginning of the program, we were treated with great respect and received excellent service. During the sensitization meetings, we were given a clear understanding of the program's objectives and purpose. We were also allowed to ask questions, and the responses we received were thorough and considerate. The program was conducted transparently, and we did not encounter any fraudulent activities. Overall, I am extremely satisfied with the organization's services, and there were no unforeseen issues."

"In the coming year and beyond, my goal is to provide comfortable support for my daughter as she starts university, as she represents our hope for a better future. To achieve this, my plan is to increase my investment in maize farming. I am immensely grateful for the support that has enabled us to transform our lives, and I look forward to continuing on this positive path."