"In the upcoming year and beyond, I have two main projects that I am determined to complete. Time is flying by, and I want to ensure that I finish these projects before the support ends. I've already started buying building materials, especially iron sheets, because the roof of my current house has developed holes over the years. My plan is to build a new house to improve our living conditions, as the current situation, with rain coming inside, has been causing health problems for my children. Once the house is finished, my next goal is to buy a cow for milk production. Initially, I considered purchasing two cows for plowing, but after calculating the costs, I realized it would take longer to save up for them. Therefore, I’ve decided to focus on getting a dairy cow, which will provide milk for both our household and for potential sale. I am hopeful that with the support I am receiving, I will be able to achieve these two important goals. I am very grateful to GiveDirectly for their assistance."

"We are finding it challenging to make ends meet as our income is unstable. I work as a casual laborer, and my husband is a livestock farmer. Paying for our daughter Purity Chebet’s school fees is a significant burden. However, I believe that education will provide her with a brighter future, which motivates me to work diligently. Our struggle does not end there, putting food on the table is also another challenge. Skipping meals is not new to us, it is our survival strategy for my family."

"I am really struggling right now, and it feels overwhelming. We do not have a farm to cultivate because the land here is too rocky, so I rely on charcoal burning to help make ends meet. My husband also works in the motorcycle taxi business, but it is still not enough. The charcoal burning is not very profitable anymore since the trees are getting scarcer, and almost everyone in the village does the same thing. On a good month, I only make about $20 from it, which barely covers our food needs. I often find myself having to buy goods on credit from local shops, and living from hand to mouth is deeply stressful and disheartening. It worries me so much to see us struggling just to get by."

"My dream is to become a successful businesswoman by starting small and gradually expanding my ventures. I've already taken the first step by opening a grocery business, which helps me earn a daily income to support my college fees. Additionally, I've enrolled in a tailoring course, which has always been my passion. I was able to fund these initiatives through my monthly transfers. To keep the grocery business running while I attend classes, I've hired a relative to assist me for a fee of $2 per day. My primary goal for the next year and beyond is to complete my tailoring course. Once I finish, I plan to transition to my next goal: opening a tailoring shop. This will allow me to combine my love for fashion with my entrepreneurial ambitions. I envision a future where my business flourishes, providing me with financial stability and the means to support my family comfortably. By the time I have my own family, I aim to have made significant progress in my career, ensuring a better life for them. Every step I take now is focused on building a strong foundation for my future, and I'm determined to work hard, keep learning, and overcome any challenges to turn this dream into reality."

"For many years, I have been cooking outside since I don’t have a kitchen and my house is small. However, it has not been easy, especially during harsh climatic changes. For instance, heavy rains make cooking difficult, and there are times when I go to bed with an empty stomach. Therefore, I plan to build myself a kitchen if I can get the money. I can’t ask my children for help right now, as they are focused on paying school fees for their children. I am hopeful that my children will eventually have the capacity to build me a kitchen."

"Before receiving GiveDirectly's transfer, I engaged in charcoal production and small-scale farming on half an acre of land. After receiving the transfers, I quit charcoal production and expanded my crop production to an acre, transitioning from subsistence farming to producing commercial seed maize for Kenya Seed Company. With my previous transfers, I prioritized crop farming, school fees, and sanitation. I also allocated part of my second transfer to purchase building materials. I had been living in a one-room grass-thatched house, which was challenging due to its small size and poor sleeping arrangements. I often had to sleep with my daughters in the house while my two sons slept at a neighbor's house. When I received my final transfer, I spent $400 on the remaining building materials, paid the carpenter, and cemented the floor of my house. I constructed a one-room iron sheet house with a cemented floor, allowing my sons to sleep in my old house as I moved to the new house. Additionally, I paid school fees worth $50 for my daughter in secondary school, with another $50 pending, which I plan to clear after selling my maize. My maize is doing well, and I expect to harvest in a few weeks. Overall, the cash transfers from GiveDirectly have significantly improved our living conditions and economic sustainability."

"On that fruitful day when I received my transfer, it was around 3 p.m. I had just come back from my farm, where I was guarding my crops from roaming livestock since our farm is not fenced. While I was relaxing with my children and mother-in-law, I heard a notification sound. When I checked, I saw that I had received $200 from GiveDirectly. I immediately prayed to thank God. Excited, I shared the news with my mother-in-law and waited patiently for my husband, who had gone to herd our livestock. When he returned that evening, I told him about the transfer, and he was equally excited. The first thought that crossed my mind was to buy food. We had no food that day, and honestly, I didn't know what I would have done without GiveDirectly's cash transfer. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for your timely support in our time of need."

"My main goal is to finally finish the house I've been building. You see, it's been a long journey, and I'm still left with the roofing. Right now, we're living in a house made of mud, and while it’s served us well, it's really time to move into something more durable. The new house is made of stone, and I had to put the construction on hold to focus on repairing the one we're living in now. But I really want to get back to it. To make this happen, I'm planning to join a savings group. It can be a great way to pool resources and gradually save up enough money. Alongside that, I'm going to keep up with my goat farming. It's been a steady source of income, and I'm hoping that if I stay consistent, I can save enough from it to finally finish the roof and complete the house."

"My goal in the coming year and beyond is to invest more in livestock purchases. To achieve this, I plan to save diligently in the savings group, and once it's my turn to receive the pooled money, I will use it to buy more goats. As the herd grows and the goats multiply, I plan to sell some and use the proceeds to purchase a dairy cow, which is my ultimate goal. A dairy cow will be especially beneficial because I can earn income by selling milk, providing a more stable source of revenue for my family. I am very appreciative of the financial transfers, which are helping me work toward this long-held goal of owning livestock and securing a better future for my family."

"I separated from my husband a year ago and life has taken a difficult path since then. I solely provide for my eight children and meeting all their basic needs is an uphill task. I do casual jobs to earn a living, at the end of the day I use all the $2 on purchase of food hence nothing is left for paying for their education."