"I have a goal that has been giving me quite a headache: owning many goats on my compound. Goats are one of the most important domestic animals that can help us grow financially because they reproduce quickly, and the chances of increasing their numbers in a short period are high. To achieve this goal, my spouse and I plan to work together to save what we earn from our daily casual jobs, along with the monthly income we receive from GiveDirectly. By doing so, we will ensure we can reach our goal. Once we achieve it, I am confident that by the time my children are ready to join secondary school, we will have enough goats to support us. This will make it easier to pay their school fees and provide for their needs without much strain."

"For now, my primary goal is to build a herd of goats on my compound and eventually establish a cow in the field. This will also help support the well-being of my children. Goats reproduce quickly, which ensures that I will have many of them in a short amount of time. I plan to use my upcoming transfers and savings from the Merry Go Round initiative to make this dream a reality. Once I achieve this goal, I will be able to meet my needs more easily, especially the education of my son, who is currently in junior secondary. These animals will also be a great help, especially now that I am jobless due to health issues. They will enable me to satisfy my needs more effectively."

"My primary goal is to join college by early next year. After completing my secondary school exams last year, my parents were unable to afford the fees for my college education. Determined to support myself, I took a job as a housemaid in the nearest town. Although the salary is very low, my focus is to save enough money to help my mother raise my sibling and fund my own education. To realize my dream of attending college, I have been diligently saving money from the cash transfers I received and my earnings. So far, I have managed to save $80, though I estimate I’ll need around $200 to cover my tuition and other expenses. I am hopeful that, with continued effort, I will achieve this goal in the coming months. My ultimate dream is to graduate, secure a good job, and provide greater support for my family back home. My siblings, who are still in primary school, depend on me, and I want to ensure they have the opportunities I’ve worked so hard to create for myself."

"The lack of sufficient funds in our household is making our lives complex. My wife is only a housewife, and I am a tour guide in the nearby resort. My job is occasional, and due to this, getting a constant income is hard, and we cannot plan and or budget for the little cash we get in a day. On average, I get approximately KES 4,000 a month, which is low compared to the recurrent household expenditures and hard economic times. My ambition has been to own fishing nets to do fishing in low seasons. Give Directly will become a beacon of hope in realizing my ambition and I am glad that soon it will come to pass."

"I received the transfer message at 1pm when I had gone to the shop to buy some salt but I did not check it at that moment. I was going through my WhatsApp messages at around 4:30pm when I noticed the unread message. I was very excited and felt favored by God but I never told anyone that I had received my cash. My first thought was on how I would be able to fulfill my plans since the only thing that was stopping me from doing so was lack of money. I was relieved that I would finally be able to start my livestock project as planned earlier."

"I received the transfer message at 1pm when I had gone to the shop to buy some salt but I did not check it at that moment. I was going through my WhatsApp messages at around 4:30pm when I noticed the unread message. I was very excited and felt favored by God but I never told anyone that I had received my cash. My first thought was on how I would be able to fulfill my plans since the only thing that was stopping me from doing so was lack of money. I was relieved that I would finally be able to start my livestock project as planned earlier."

"I currently have 7 goats, 7 ducks, and 6 chickens at home, which I consider valuable assets. I believe investing in goats is a wise decision because they multiply quickly. As my herd grows, I can easily sell some to help me achieve my dream of continuing my studies, graduating, and securing a well-paying job. For now, I’ve been relying on monthly cash transfers and support from my brother to pay my school fees. However, since the money is sometimes insufficient, I believe having these animals will provide a more reliable way to achieve my goals without as much struggle. Once I graduate, I’ll be able to pursue other dreams, such as building my own house and starting a family. Additionally, I’ll be in a better position to support my siblings and parents as they age."

"My primary goal remains unchanged: to continue buying goats and build a large herd by the time the program ends. Currently, I have a total of eight goats, but I aim to acquire more because they will benefit me in many ways. One of the main reasons is that they will help me pay school fees for my five children who are still in primary school, as well as ensure I can provide for their needs with ease. I plan to start saving a portion of the monthly transfers to make this dream a reality, especially now that I am without a job. By carefully planning and managing these funds, I am confident I can achieve this goal. This way, I will no longer have to struggle or suffer, even after the five years of the program come to an end."

"I currently have six goats, which were once more in number, but as a single mom, they have been a tremendous help, especially in paying school fees for my children. My plan is to expand my herd and increase it to at least twelve goats. I believe that by growing the herd, I will not only be able to manage school fees but also handle any unexpected needs that may arise in the future. Goats are a reliable source of income because they multiply quickly and can be sold when necessary. I plan to use part of my final transfer to purchase additional goats, as this will help secure a better future for my family."

"My goal for the coming year is to lease two acres of land where I plan to plant maize and tomatoes. Both crops are very productive and once I sell them, I believe that I will earn enough money to pay school fees for my four children who are in school. To make this happen, I will either take out a loan or sell some goats to raise the money. I will then use the money to lease land, plough it and buy seeds. I am optimistic that with hard work and determination, I am positive that I will succeed."