"My house has become so worn that whenever it rains, water leaks in due to the old and damaged roof. This situation has caused me sleepless nights, as I worry that my family and I will be exposed to rain and cold nights during the long rains. I have set a goal to renovate the roof and install a new one. To achieve this, I plan to save a portion of my monthly cash transfers and receive additional support from my sons. In a few months, I plan to complete the renovation. This will ensure we stay dry during the rain and protect my family from future risks, such as physical harm due to the deteriorating roof."

"I have established a small animal farm, where I currently raise chickens, sheep, and goats. Unfortunately, while my poultry project was thriving, an outbreak occurred that wiped out almost all of my chickens, leaving only two survivors. At present, I have 5 goats and 3 sheep as part of my livestock project. Both my goats and chickens have had offspring. My plan is to prepare for the future as I have a two-year-old child who has not yet started school. I anticipate needing funds when she does, so I aim to build a larger herd that will allow me to sell animals to ensure she can enroll in school and complete her education, even after the Givediretly program ends. Therefore, in the coming year and beyond, I intend to use my transfers to invest in livestock, focusing on goat and sheep farming alongside poultry operations."

"The biggest difference in my life after receiving the transfer is that we now have enough food at home. Before, I often had to go out looking for casual jobs just to feed my family, and there were times when I couldn't find work, leaving us hungry. It was stressful not knowing where our next meal would come from. However, now that we have food, I can relax at home with my family. This change allows us to focus on other important things, like my children's education and health. I feel a sense of relief and hope knowing that we are no longer struggling with hunger. This support has truly transformed our lives for the better."

"When GiveDirectly first came to our community for the baraza, they taught us about their organization and the procedures involved with great respect. They took the time to explain everything clearly, ensuring that we understood the process. I did not notice anything wrong during their visits, and their approach made us feel valued and supported. Furthermore, their dedication to helping us was evident, and we are truly grateful for their assistance. We continue to pray for their success and hope they can reach more people in need. Overall, their efforts have made a positive impact in our lives, and we appreciate all they have done for us."

"The officers from GiveDirectly were very good people who interacted positively with us. In cases where there were language barriers, they provided someone who understood our language to help communicate effectively. They taught us well about the program and how to use the support we received. Everything was okay, and I did not see anything bad during the process. I believe they should continue helping people improve their lives just as they have done for us. Overall, their approach has made a significant difference, and I appreciate their efforts."

"In the coming years, I hope to build a sustainable source of income by starting a poultry business, as I see a promising, steady market for poultry products. Rearing chickens would provide us with eggs and meat to sell, giving my family a reliable income. Alongside this, I want to keep expanding our crop farming, which not only supports us with food but also offers a way to earn extra money during harvest times. I believe that with both poultry and crop farming, we can improve our standard of living and provide better opportunities for our children. This combination of farming and poultry would also help us become more resilient against tough seasons or unexpected losses. In the long run, I see this as a way to bring lasting stability and growth to our family."

"Goats had been causing constant trouble, sneaking into my compound and damaging my farm. When I received the cash transfer, I used $100 to buy wire mesh to secure the area. This small investment brought me peace, knowing my crops are now protected, and it feels like a real improvement in our daily lives. I also spent $120 on a cow, hoping that when it gives birth, we’ll have milk for ourselves and possibly extra to sell. The cow feels like a lasting reminder of GiveDirectly’s support, something that adds stability to our family. Another major expense was school fees, for which I used $150. Previously, we relied on fundraisers to keep our children in school, which was stressful. This transfer allowed me to pay the fees directly, lifting a huge burden. Education is very important to us, and we’re grateful to GiveDirectly for making it easier for our children to stay focused on their studies.The remaining funds went to my wife, who bought food and other essentials we lacked. Together, we manage a small farm, but as we get older, we increasingly depend on our children’s help. Life was challenging before the cash transfer; we would sometimes have maize from our farm but no money on hand. Now, with GiveDirectly’s support, we feel relief and hope, with resources to help us improve our lives bit by bit."

"At 6 am, I woke up and casually checked my phone, only to see a message that I had received money from GiveDirectly. I felt a rush of happiness and couldn’t keep it to myself immediately woke up my wife to share the good news. "Look," I told her, "we’ve received the money!" She checked the message herself, and we both felt such relief and excitement. The first thought that came to mind was finally buying goats. Buying milk every day had become a real strain, both financially and physically, and I knew having goats would help us save money and ease that burden. We were grateful, knowing this transfer would bring such a big difference to our daily life."

"It was around 12 pm. when the money came through, but I didn't notice the message right away because I was on a motorbike, traveling. When I finally saw the message, I felt a wave of joy and relief—it was hard to believe the money had actually arrived! My mind immediately went to my animals and the needs at home. I decided the first thing I would do was buy iron sheets to build a proper store. This store would allow me to safely keep animal feed and food supplies, giving us a secure place to store maize stalks that would keep my cows fed through the dry seasons. Knowing I could finally make this happen filled me with a sense of purpose and excitement."

"For the coming years and beyond, I want to invest fully in farming, both in crops and livestock rearing. I see this as the best way to secure food for my family and ensure my children can stay in school without interruption. By growing crops, I’ll be able to provide for our daily needs and, hopefully, sell any surplus for extra income. Raising livestock will give us a safety net, as they can be sold if unexpected expenses arise. My goal is to create a stable source of support through farming, one that we can rely on as my children grow. This way, I can give them the education I didn’t have and build a stronger future for our family."