"My parent had been ill and I was taking care of her from home. It was around 5 pm when I received a message on my phone while I was cooking porridge for her. After finishing cooking, I sat down and finally checked my phone to see who had sent me the message. When I read the message, I couldn't help but feel thrilled - even my parent was surprised by my sudden joy. I had received my first payment from GiveDirectly as promised. I couldn't wait to buy a sewing machine, as I had completed my tailoring course three years ago and have always wanted to start my own tailoring shop to be self-employed and self-reliant."

"I work as a tailor and also engage in subsistence farming with my husband. Farming has always ensured we have enough food in our household. For this reason, I recently acquired an acre of land near a river where I can comfortably do some irrigation. I had previously made partial payments for this piece of land but still had a huge outstanding balance. I was paying through the little savings that I was making from my tailoring business. When I received the transfer, I paid off the remaining debt which amounted to $500 and gained full ownership of the land. I now possess the land and I am planning to plant fresh vegetables and maize crops and some irrigation using the available water. I hope to get good produce for consumption and sell the surplus thus earning some income as well. In addition to the land purchase, I also spent $20 in purchasing a new door for my home. The old one was broken, and I was concerned about the safety of my family as well as my household items. With the new door in place, I feel much more secure. Finally, I bought two chickens which I am currently keeping, and food for my family with the remaining amount."

"I have made several attempts to save money with my husband to build a decent house with an iron roof, but I failed every time. This was because I could not afford to buy the necessary building materials such as iron sheets, timber, and nails. All the income my husband earned went to food and other needs, such as fees for our two children. Due to financial constraints, I had no choice but to live in our small house that was thatched with old and leaking palm tree leaves. You could even see the outside while inside the house, and I could only feel the comfort of living in an iron roofed house when I visited neighbors who owned one. However, we still had to live in it as we hoped for a better life. My dream of building an iron roofed house was rekindled when I was enrolled in the GiveDirectly program and received my first transfer. I used the whole amount to buy the necessary materials such as poles, nails, timber, and iron sheets, and built a two-room iron roofed house. Owning and living in an iron roofed house has made the biggest difference in my daily life. Without the support, it would have taken me years to fulfill this dream, but now I no longer have to worry about the rains."

"The burden of school fees has become a challenge to me because I have 5 children in school. Two are in secondary while the other three are in junior classes. In a term, I am required to pay $300 to support their studies. This amount has been a great problem to raise since I am jobless and I depend on my husband who earns a monthly pay of $200 from his hotel business. This means I can't fully cater to their fees, and in most cases, they are sent home. Watching them desperately at home pains me most and I have lived with a lot of stress. Thus, financial instability stands out as my biggest challenge."

"Life has become so tough due to the challenges that I face in meeting my basic needs. At the moment, I depend on my husband who is a retired teacher. He is currently engaged in private school to conduct tuition classes on a part-time basis. His income is very little and in a good month, he makes utmost $100. Sharing this amount between two wives becomes tricky and sometimes, I may miss my very basic needs at home. To supplement this income, I am forced to engage in selling roofing materials made from palm tree leaves. Since this activity does not have many customers, I sometimes make $10 in a good month. Hence, financial constraints stand out as my biggest challenge."

"At the age of 80 years now, I found myself challenged in terms of seeking profitable jobs. This has limited me to the small business of selling roofing materials made of palm tree leaves. The income from this work is very little, usually less than $10 in a month. This is due to the low turnout of customers since most people prefer iron sheets. This has pushed me to depend on my daughter who is doing house help work in Kilifi town. His support is also not reliable due to the burden of school fees for her 5 children. Hence, I consider financial constraints as my biggest challenge."

"In the coming year and beyond, my heartfelt focus is on nurturing my health above all else. Despite the challenges posed by my age and fragile state, I am determined to prioritize self-care, seeking the necessary medical attention and nourishment essential for my well-being. Every step, every transfer, will be dedicated to securing the resources needed to sustain and improve my health. My aspiration is not just survival, but to thrive with vitality and resilience, embracing each opportunity to nurture myself and reclaim a sense of strength and vitality."

"In the coming year and beyond, my aspirations soar beyond the confines of my current circumstances. First and foremost, I am determined to secure the security of the house I constructed with the generous assistance of GiveDirectly transfers by fixing the door. Next on my agenda is acquiring a bed and mattress, luxuries many take for granted but which would profoundly enhance my quality of life. As I dream of a more comfortable sleeping arrangement. My current situation is not pleasing as I sleep on the ground of an uncemented house, which is not the kind of life I desire but circumstances have forced me. To turn these dreams into reality, I've devised a simple yet steadfast plan of saving $5 every month, a modest but meaningful contribution towards my goals. Despite the challenges ahead, including the ongoing need for medical check-ups and sustenance, I approach the future with unwavering determination and a heart brimming with hope."

"In the coming years, I aspire to transform my humble mud-wall house into a stronghold of strength and resilience. With unwavering determination, I envision erecting strong pillars and a skating base encircling my house, fortifying it against the fierce winds that occasionally strike our region. Each month, I faithfully set aside $10, a small but steadfast contribution towards my dream. By December 2024, armed with my savings, I will embark on the journey to turn this vision into reality. Through perseverance and prudent planning, I am determined to create a shelter that not only withstands the trials of nature but stands as a testament to the power of determination and the beauty of dreams."

"In the coming year and beyond, my vision is to establish myself as a successful livestock farmer. After learning about the reliability and resilience of goat farming in our region compared to traditional cow and crop farming, I set my sights on building a thriving goat farm. To turn this dream into reality, I have taken proactive steps, such as joining a merry-go-round saving group with five others who are beneficiaries of the GiveDirectly program, where we will contribute $20 each month. By December 2024, I'll have accumulated enough funds to invest in more goats, laying the foundation for my livestock farming venture. This journey fills me with excitement and determination as I pursue a livelihood that aligns with the natural conditions of our area and promises greater stability and prosperity for my future."