"I have a small shop where I sell household consumables like maize flour, sugar, etc, and this business has been incredibly good to me as it has been helping me take care of my family. I see so much growth potential, and I am determined to make it even bigger. I plan to expand my shop using the transfers I will be receiving from GiveDirectly. Currently, the physical structure of my shop is small and in need of more space, so I have decided to build a larger area that will comfortably store my stock. I intend to use a portion of the transfers and a part of my business profits for this expansion. I will be overjoyed once this new space is ready, as it will enable me to serve my customers better. Additionally, I took a solar panel on credit, and I need to repay it. Right now, I have a balance of $170 to clear, and I plan to use another portion of my profits to settle this debt while reinvesting a portion back into the business to ensure its growth. I am truly grateful for the opportunities ahead and the support that helps me provide for my family."

"My health is slowly deteriorating, but that will not stop me from working hard to provide for my family. As I continue to receive medical attention with the help of the transfers from GiveDirectly, I am determined to establish a sustainable source of income. My plan is to use a portion of these transfers to buy livestock from the village and sell them at the market for a profit. I have experience in this business; I used to run it successfully, but I had to pause due to unavoidable circumstances. Now, I am eager to revive it because it was incredibly helpful in supporting my family. I truly believe that with this venture, I will be able to provide for my family more comfortably and with fewer struggles. I am filled with hope and optimism that this plan will lead to success. I know that with hard work and determination, I can turn things around for us."

"My husband and I acquired a solar panel on credit, which requires us to make monthly repayments to keep it active. We have been diligently using a portion of our transfers to ensure we stay on top of this debt and do not default. My plan for the coming year is to continue making these repayments until we are completely free of the obligation. I am not entirely sure how much is left, as my husband is in charge of the details, but I am confident that we are close to clearing the remaining balance. Once we have paid off the solar panel, I intend to allocate part of our transfers to purchase goats. I have high hopes for this investment; I envision the goats multiplying and increasing in value, ultimately providing an invaluable asset for my family. This will not only support my children’s education but also serve as a safety net for our family, especially when this program comes to an end. I feel a sense of determination and optimism as I look forward to building a brighter future for us all."

"As a mother of 11 children, my greatest desire is to see all of them in school, receiving the education they deserve. At the moment, only three of my children are enrolled in school, while some who are of school-going age remain at home because I do not have the financial means to enroll them. This situation weighs heavily on my heart, but it also fuels my determination to find a solution. To address this, I have prioritized investing in goats using a portion of my transfers, while using another portion to pay school fees for those who are already in school. This strategy gives me hope. By nurturing and growing my herd of goats, I envision them multiplying, increasing in both number and value. Over time, I plan to sell some of them to generate the funds needed to enroll the other children and continue supporting those already in school. This approach is not just a plan; it is my pathway to giving all my children a chance at a brighter future. I am filled with optimism and confidence that it will work out, allowing me to fulfill my dream of seeing every one of my children educated and empowered. I am deeply grateful to GiveDirectly for their unwavering support. Their assistance has provided me with the means to take these important steps toward securing my children’s future, and I remain hopeful and excited for what lies ahead."

"As I have shared before, one of my biggest dreams is to own cows. To make this dream a reality, I have been using my transfers from GiveDirectly to invest in goats and chickens. My plan is to continue dedicating a portion of my transfers to purchasing more chickens and goats. My hope is that the chickens will multiply, giving me the opportunity to trade some of them for goats. Over time, the goats I acquire through trade and those purchased with transfers will also multiply, allowing me to exchange them for female cows. I envision these female cows not only growing in number but also providing my family with milk, significantly improving our nutrition. The idea of having a stable source of nourishment for my family fills me with hope and determination. Looking further ahead, I dream of starting a business. While I have not yet decided on the exact nature of this business, I am optimistic that, with time, I will develop a clear vision that I can bring to life. To fund this future endeavor, I plan to sell some of my cows, using the proceeds as starting capital. This plan gives me immense hope for the future, and I am deeply grateful for the support we continue to receive from GiveDirectly. Their assistance is not just helping me meet my current needs but also empowering me to work towards a brighter, more secure future for my family."

"I have been renovating my house for quite some time and I am happy to share that I am in the final stages of the renovations. It fills me with immense pride and happiness to see this dream nearly realized. My plan for the coming year and beyond is to use a portion of my transfers from GiveDirectly to complete the remaining repairs, ensuring that my family has a safe, secure, and comfortable place to call home. This house represents not only shelter but a symbol of stability and hope for our future. However, a devastating drought that has gripped our region remains a pressing challenge exposing us to hunger.. Until the rains come and we can secure sustainable food, I intend to continue using part of my transfers to buy food for us. The peace of mind that comes with knowing my family has enough to eat is truly invaluable. Looking ahead, I plan to invest in growing my herd of goats, adding to the few I already own. My hope is that these goats will multiply and increase in value, providing a reliable and sustainable source of income for my family in the future. This venture is not just about survival; it is about creating a foundation that I can build upon to support my family for years to come. I am profoundly grateful for the support from GiveDirectly. These transfers have been a lifeline, enabling me to care for my family during difficult times and build a brighter, more secure future."

"My family is currently facing a difficult and trying time. My eldest son, who is our primary breadwinner, was involved in a terrible motorcycle accident. As he continues his recovery, my immediate priority is to support him with the medical bills and provide food for our family using my transfers from GiveDirectly. His well-being means everything to me, and I am committed to supporting him until I see him back on his feet. I am also working toward securing a stable future for my family. I have been developing a plot of land which is by the roadside where I am building rental houses. I envision that this will be a dependable source of income especially when this program eventually comes to an end. To achieve this, once my son is back on his feet, I plan to save a portion of my transfers through our local savings group so that I may use the accumulated funds to purchase additional building materials and continue construction until the project is complete. This vision fills me with hope and determination. I know that with careful planning and perseverance, I will achieve this goal, creating a legacy that will support my family for years to come. I am deeply grateful to GiveDirectly for their support during these challenging times. Their assistance has not only provided immediate relief but also renewed my hope for a brighter and more secure future."

"When I received my cash transfer, my priority was to spend it on getting proper shelter and beddings. I had never had such comfort as far as I can remember. I used $120 to buy 2 mattresses for my children and I. This was because we only had one traditional bed and we would sleep on the floor whenever we had visitors at our home. I spent $370 to buy building materials for a new house since my current house was single roomed and I needed an upgrade. I used $50 to clear my son's school fees debt because I didn't want him having any arrears after finishing his KCSE exams. I spent the remaining $10 on buying food stuffs."

"When I received my cash transfer, my priority was to spend it on getting proper shelter and beddings. I had never had such comfort as far as I can remember. I used $120 to buy 2 mattresses for my children and I. This was because we only had one traditional bed and we would sleep on the floor whenever we had visitors at our home. I spent $370 to buy building materials for a new house since my current house was single roomed and I needed an upgrade. I used $50 to clear my son's school fees debt because I didn't want him having any arrears after finishing his KCSE exams. I spent the remaining $10 on buying food stuffs."

"Before receiving the Give Directly cash transfer I used to toil hard every single day to afford the most basic needs. I would go to the forest to cut down trees and make charcoal then struggle to find buyers for me to earn some little cash to cater for my kids school fees and afford the most basic needs for my family. Despite the hard work and struggle I was still not able to sustain my family, there are days that we would go hungry and my kids were sent back home due to fee arrears. After receiving the cash transfer, I've been able to clear most of kids school fees and cater for my basic needs. I can now have a breather as I plan for next year."