"My son is now in his second year of secondary education, and I am determined to ensure he completes school without any setbacks. Right now, he is my only investment, as I am relying on him to finish school and improve our situation at home in the years to come. To achieve this, I plan to use the transfers I receive from GiveDirectly to cover his school fees and support him in every way possible, ensuring a bright future for him. Currently, he has been in and out of school, but my goal is to see him settled and achieving good grades. This will be a sign that his future, and that of the next generation, will be brighter and more positive."

"My main aim for this year is to buy new bedding, especially mattresses. The one I have now is worn out and causes me a lot of discomfort and pain every night. My wish is to sleep comfortably and wake up feeling refreshed, without the aches and pains. That’s why I plan to save my upcoming transfers to achieve this goal. I believe that getting good-quality bedding will greatly improve my life and well-being. By focusing on this purchase, I hope to create a better environment for rest, which is important for my health and daily activities. I look forward to the day when I can finally enjoy a peaceful night's sleep and say goodbye to the discomfort I’ve endured for so long."

"Before the year ends, my main goal is to build a new house. I currently have 10 iron sheets but need 24 to complete it. The house I live in now is quite old, and whenever it rains heavily, the roof leaks badly. It has been a constant source of worry for me. To make this happen, I plan to use part of my savings from the chama and any additional funds I can gather. Once I achieve this dream, I won’t have to stress about the safety of my home during harsh weather. I’ll also be able to live comfortably and happily with my family, which has been my dream for a long time."

"I used $260 from my recent transfer to purchase a cow and a goat, which I am now raising on my compound. Despite several attempts to save money for purchasing goats, I always ended up spending the money on food and other household essentials. Owning livestock is a crucial part of my assets, especially since I don't have a reliable source of income. These animals serve as a safety net for my future financial needs. I hope they will breed and multiply, allowing me to sell the offspring to meet my financial obligations. Additionally, I used part of the money to address the issue of cooking inside my living space. The smoke from the firewood discolored the interior of the roof, and it was inconvenient to accommodate guests while cooking. To solve this, I spent $240 on purchasing eight iron sheets, timber, and building poles. This allowed me to construct a separate kitchen, which also functions as a storage space for other items, freeing up much-needed space in my main house. With the remaining funds, I bought new clothes and food supplies to ensure that my family is well-fed and never goes without food. I purchased a bag of maize, which I believe will sustain us for about a month."

"I used $260 from my recent transfer to purchase a cow and a goat, which I am now raising on my compound. Despite several attempts to save money for purchasing goats, I always ended up spending the money on food and other household essentials. Owning livestock is a crucial part of my assets, especially since I don't have a reliable source of income. These animals serve as a safety net for my future financial needs. I hope they will breed and multiply, allowing me to sell the offspring to meet my financial obligations. Additionally, I used part of the money to address the issue of cooking inside my living space. The smoke from the firewood discolored the interior of the roof, and it was inconvenient to accommodate guests while cooking. To solve this, I spent $240 on purchasing eight iron sheets, timber, and building poles. This allowed me to construct a separate kitchen, which also functions as a storage space for other items, freeing up much-needed space in my main house. With the remaining funds, I bought new clothes and food supplies to ensure that my family is well-fed and never goes without food. I purchased a bag of maize, which I believe will sustain us for about a month."

"When I received the cash transfer, the first thing I did was buy 22 iron sheets for $231 and 70 poles for $70. Our old house was falling apart because it had been incomplete for so long, and the exposed poles were rotting. We needed to build a new home, so we decided to construct a two-bedroom house since we have two children. It was important for them to have their own space as they grow, and this money made it possible to start that much-needed upgrade. I also bought 3 goats for $135, knowing that goats multiply quickly and can serve as valuable assets in case of any emergencies. I then spent $40 on clothes for my family and myself. My children needed proper clothes for play, and the rest of us didn’t have many good options. This money helped us all feel more presentable. I then paid $30 for my son's school fees in Grade 1, because I didn't want him to be sent home for lack of payment. Ensuring his education was a priority for me, and now he can stay focused on his studies without disruptions. With the remaining amount, I bought enough food for the household. This allowed me to hold onto the eggs from our poultry farming, letting the chickens multiply without needing to sell anything just to put food on the table. The cash came at the right time and eased many burdens for my family."

"I had gone to see my husband who works and stays in Majengo when I heard my phone beep, and since I was just seated outside the house, I immediately checked it. When I saw that the message was from GiveDirectly and it was the cash transfer they had promised, I couldn’t believe it—I was so happy! Right away, I called my husband, who was at work and told him the good news. He was just as excited as I was because we had been planning to build a new house for a while now; the one we were living in was almost falling apart. This money felt like a blessing at the perfect time."

"I am a father of four children and currently work as a motorcycle driver. Our family lives in a one-room house, and I am determined to better our living conditions by expanding our living space to two rooms, hence providing my family with a better and more comfortable quality of life. By the end of this year, I aim to have started this project, although its completion will depend on the funds I can gather. To achieve this, I have been saving a portion of my transfers in our local savings group, and my plan is to continue saving a portion of the transfers I receive from GiveDirectly, along with some of the earnings from my motorcycle business. Completing this house will bring me immense joy, as it has been my long-held dream. Once the house is finished, I intend to redirect my transfers into a business where I will buy livestock from rural villages at lower prices. I plan to rear them for a few months and then sell them in the markets for a profit. This venture, combined with my motorcycle business, will help me comfortably provide for my children's well-being and education. I am grateful for this opportunity that GiveDirectly has given me and my family, and I am looking forward to the day where I will gift my family a new house."

"Our biggest challenge at the moment is old age. We are unable to do what we used to do when we were young. This has left us to depend on our livestock which is not enough. Also we depend on our children for providence which is difficult since they also have their families of whom they provide for."

"I started a grocery business over a year ago and have been steadily growing it. On good months, the business brings in around $100. I would never have had the opportunity to make this much money if I had taken a job as a house help, where I would have earned just $5 per month. I have only one parent, my mother, who is a peasant farmer, so the responsibility of helping to care for my three younger siblings is significant. I chose to support her by using part of my earnings to cover their school fees and provide food for the family. My goal is to continue expanding the business to generate more income. I have completed my secondary school education, and I am saving part of my business profits, along with some of my monthly earnings, because I have a strong desire to join college and pursue Early Childhood Education. This is a course I am passionate about, and I am confident that once I complete it, I will secure employment. This will allow me to improve my family's situation and better support my mother in taking care of my younger siblings."