"The feeling of not achieving my ambitions has made me unhappy because life has become harder. The charcoal work which I have depended on, all my life is very strenuous and low-paying. Currently, this job is not reliable since our area is now deforested and I am forced to dig out the tree remains to make charcoal. In a month, I make only $30 which I spend on food and school fees for my daughter. Considering the many and recurrent needs at home, I have for a long time lived a life full of stress. Hence, the lack of a reliable source of income stands out as my biggest challenge."

"As I await my college enrollment in September, I recognize the considerable duration until then. To stay engaged and secure an additional income stream, I intend to establish a small vegetable-selling business. This venture will not only keep me occupied but also provide me with a source of revenue. I plan to set aside a portion of the earnings as savings to support me as I transition into college. The financial assistance I have received has been invaluable, enabling me to complete my education without the previous burden of lingering school fee debts, which often confined me to staying at home."

"Now that I have a good start with some goats, my big goal is to add a cow to my little animal family. I want to grow my herd of livestock because it means more possibilities for me and my family. A cow can provide us with milk and even more income opportunities. With hard work and the support I got from GiveDirectly, I'm looking forward to making this dream a reality and creating a better future for us all."

"My foremost goal is to initiate a new venture focused on buying and selling chickens, with a planned launch by February. The crucial capital for this endeavor will be sourced from my merry-go-round savings. The primary objective behind delving into entrepreneurship is to secure a steady stream of income that can be dedicated to funding my children's educational journey until they successfully graduate. It's not just about creating a business; it's about laying the financial foundation for my family's future and ensuring that my children have the necessary support for their education. As February approaches, I am filled with a mix of excitement and determination, envisioning a business that not only sustains itself but becomes a cornerstone for the academic aspirations of my beloved children."

"My overarching goal is to accumulate and wisely invest the profits generated from my charcoal business. Having missed the opportunity for formal education myself, I'm acutely aware of the impact it has had on my family's economic situation. Poverty has lingered, casting a shadow over our household. However, with an unwavering determination, I am channeling the proceeds from my business toward ensuring that my children don't face the same limitations. Education, I believe, is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty. By facilitating my children's educational journey, I aspire to empower them to become valuable contributors to society. I envision a future where their knowledge and skills elevate not just their own lives but also uplift our family from the grips of poverty, creating a positive ripple effect in our community."

"I pay my grandchild's school fees of $45 because her mother used to provide for us, and I appreciate the investment in education. In our family of 10, which includes five grandchildren, my husband, and my two children, life took a turn when my husband retired from his carpentry job in Mombasa. With a vision for sustainability, I invested $160 in purchasing a cow, anticipating it to multiply and provide a source of income. Despite having goats, I chose not to buy more. Running a broom-selling business was my previous endeavor, but illness forced me to step away. Now, relying on my daughter, a hairdresser, and my two sons, who work as boda-boda riders in Kilifi, our family's financial support hinges on their efforts. Facing a water problem, I used the remainder of the money received from GiveDirectly to connect water pipes, ending our reliance on borrowed water from neighbors. Unfortunately, I would not help myself to fetch water because of my health challenge.."

"I AM GOING TO BUY A COW BECAUSE WE WANT TO BE TAKING MILK"

"Avery big difference now, I have a cow that we millk something we didn't have before. My family is extremely happy"

"The cash message got me home, and I felt so happy together with my family. The first thought was to buy piece of land."

"There is a very big difference difference now because now I now have my own plot which I didn't have before before"