"The transfers that I have been receiving have been of great help in terms of paying school fees for my children, adding stock to my small business of selling mandazi(a form of fried bread) and also catering for my family’s needs. But my major goal is to expand my business to a big restaurant whose income would be sufficient to support my family without much struggle. I would never want the transfers to go in vain but to invest in something substantial that would help me generate income even in the future and provide my children with better education. To achieve my goals, I always set aside a little amount and by January next year, I want to have the restaurant in operation."

"I am grateful to GiveDirectly for the financial help. I almost halted my high school studies because I couldn't raise fees on time. I am happy that I completed recently though I still have an outstanding fee balance. My goal for the coming months is to clear this balance so that I can be allowed to collect my certificates, which are still withheld by the school. I am also planning to enrol into a computer college, to gain some skills over the next three months, which will cost Ksh.4000, as I wait to further my studies"

"I am currently in form four and I look forward to passing my national examinations later this year to proceed to the university. However, am worried that my father may face challenges in raising my college fees. As a house construction worker, his tasks rarely come by, which leaves him earning too little to sustain my six younger siblings and me. My plan is to support and start rearing livestock, which I can sell in the future to pay for my university tuition. Particularly, I hope to have acquired at least seven goats by the end of the year."

"For many years, I have been sleeping on the floor using rags as bedding. This is a tough experience because I have always felt pains all over my body after waking up. In the coming year and beyond, my goal is to purchase proper and modern bedding, specifically a bed and mattress. Similarly, I intend to venture into livestock rearing as a long-term investment for myself."

"I made the decision to save up the money I was getting from the organization throughout last year in order to eventually be able to go to college. I had completely given up hope because we had no money before GiveDirectly gave me the chance to return to school. In order to continue my education and acquire the skills necessary to take care of myself and my family, I have this year's plan in place. Once I enroll in the school, I will use my funds to pay for the subsequent terms. After that, I'm hoping to use the remaining funds to purchase a couple of goats and poultry."

"I completed my primary education, and due to some financial constraints, I wasn't able to further my studies to the high school level. My parents didn't have enough resources to take me through high school. And for sure, surviving with a primary school certificate alone was not enough, I needed a skill that I could build on, and earn some money through. As a result of the program, I enrolled in college to pursue a course in hairdressing and beauty. I was able to pay my own fees through the transfers without depending on my parents. Though my aim is to open my own beauty salon, I am delighted that I completed this training and have a job."

"Since I had signed up for the program, my objective had been to use the transfers to buy cattle. As a preschool teacher, I am currently employed with the Parents Teachers Association. When the schools are open, I make $70 a month, but when they are closed for a holiday, I am not paid. I need to start saving now so that I can pay for my three kids' school expenses in the future. I like goats and cows because they have offspring every year, which increases their profitability. Additionally, when the cows give birth, we will be able to utilize them to plow our field and acquire enough milk for our family's usage, saving us money on labor costs. Since it's hard to save money, I'd prefer to buy the cattle."

"I am an ECDE-trained teacher who at the moment has never secured a permanent job. This has forced me to engage myself in our local ECDE schools but since their payments are low, usually $40, it has never been enough to cater to my needs. In the year, 2022, I decided to disengage myself and remain at home since the payment was inconsistent despite being low. This has stressed me a lot because I am currently depending on my husband for everything, a life that I never intended to live. Thus, I consider the lack of a reliable source of income as my biggest challenge."