"In the past, my main goal was to get a bed and mattress for myself, as I had none and I was sleeping on the floor which was very uncomfortable. With the transfers I received, I was able to buy a bed and mattress, and I am now so grateful to sleep comfortably each night. However, I now realize that my teenage son, who is growing up quickly, also needs his own space. It no longer feels right for us to share the same living area, especially as he becomes more older. Therefore, this year, I plan to use part of my future transfers from GiveDirectly to gradually purchase building materials so I can construct a small house for him. I want both of us to have the privacy and comfort we deserve, each in our own space. I am hopeful that, little by little, I will be able to complete this project and give him this special gift. Just thinking about it fills me with joy. I am deeply grateful for these transfers, as they are making dreams like this feel within reach. I know I will be overjoyed when I can finally hand over a place my son can truly call his own."

"I am currently enrolled in college, pursuing a diploma course in Early Childhood Development Education. I believe that enrolling in this program will open exciting new paths for my career and therefore I am committed to completing this course. I am meant to complete my studies in July next year and I am hopeful for the chance to secure a position with the County Government, which would provide the job security and growth I aspire for, especially compared to my current role within our community school where there is no job security. As I move forward, my primary focus is to continue dedicating all my transfers toward funding my education until I complete my studies. Once I complete my studies, I plan to start investing in livestock, starting with goats. My hope is that these goats will thrive and multiply, growing in both number and value. Thereafter, I plan to trade some of them to purchase cows that I will use to plow my farm. I am optimistic that these goats and cows will become valuable assets for my family and be a reliable source of support especially once this program concludes. I am deeply grateful for the assistance I receive from GiveDirectly. It has been an essential stepping stone toward my dreams, and with each step, I feel my aspirations coming closer to reality."

"My vision for my life is to become a dedicated livestock farmer, one who can truly rely on livestock as a steady source of income and security. For the coming year, I plan to use my transfers from GiveDirectly to expand my herd by purchasing more goats, adding to the ones I already have. My hope is that these goats will multiply, grow in value, and set the foundation for something lasting. Once I have six goats, I can trade them for a cow and I intend to have many goats so that I can trade some of them for several cows. I am working towards this goal with so much anticipation. The bulls will be invaluable for plowing my farm, which will allow me to save on the high costs of hiring tractors each season. Meanwhile, the cows will keep multiplying, providing milk for my family and an additional income stream from milk sales. I am deeply grateful for this support, as it is helping me bring my dreams to life. This opportunity gives me such hope for the future, hoping that I can create a stable and sustainable life for myself and my family."

"Building a new, spacious iron-roofed house for my family of six has made the biggest difference in my daily life. It was a dream I thought would take decades to achieve, as I could never save enough for the necessary building materials. The old house we lived in was on the verge of collapse, but I had no choice but to stay there with my family. It was in a terrible state, with walls so weak that I had to brace them with strong poles to prevent the house from collapsing. I now feel at peace knowing we have a comfortable, three-room mud house where my family can live without the constant worry we once had."

"I have struggled with shelter for years and the house that served as our home was in poor condition. Over time, it weakened, with walls full of cracks, which put my family at risk—I often worried it might collapse, especially during heavy rains or storms. Working as a casual labourer in a quarry made it hard to save for a new house, as most of my small income went toward food and school fees for my five children: two in high school and three in junior school. This left me with little to invest in a safe, new home. When GiveDirectly promised to support me financially, it was a tremendous relief. For the first time, I could genuinely think about building a safe, spacious house that could comfortably accommodate my family of six. After receiving my first transfer, I spent it all on essential building materials, including 26 iron sheets, poles, and nails, and built a three-room mud house for us. We’re now proud to have a solid shelter, giving my family a peace of mind we never had before, for which I am deeply grateful. I now feel my dignity has been restored, knowing we have a home I look forward to returning to every day."

"The floods brought so much destruction to my life, sweeping away my four acres of maize and damaging everything I owned, from my household items to my eight goats. Life was already hard, and the floods made it worse. I was struggling to make ends meet, relying on casual jobs and farming whenever the rains were kind to us. My two children depend on me, and after separating from my wife 20 years ago, I’ve been the sole provider. The money from the cash transfer came at a time when I needed it most, offering hope and relief in the midst of my challenges.I used $60 to pay my children’s school fees, which was a huge burden lifted off my shoulders. I used to rely on casual work and farming to cover the fees, but it was never enough, and sometimes I couldn’t even get casual work. I then spent $35 on a mattress because the old one we had was completely worn out, and my children had been sleeping uncomfortably. It was a small comfort, but it meant a lot to see them finally sleep well. I also bought kitchen utensils for $16, as I had very few, and it was difficult to serve guests without proper items. I purchased new clothes for $10, as I had no good clothes to wear, especially for occasions like vacations. The remaining $14 went towards buying new cups, as the ones I had were broken. Lastly, I used the rest of the money to buy food, which was a huge relief. Before, I had to rely on casual jobs that earned me just $3 a day, which was never consistent. Some days, I didn’t even have food to give my children. Now, I feel more secure knowing that I have food in the house and my children’s school fees are paid. The transfer has made a big difference in our lives, bringing hope and stability where there was once struggle."

"I plan to use the money from selling my butternuts to pay my children's school fees, as they are about to join secondary school. If the crop does well, I will also save some of the earnings to open a business shop, which will help provide a steady income for my family. Additionally, I want to buy a water tank to ensure we have a reliable water source for both our farm and household needs. I hope that by doing this, I can create more opportunities for my family’s future. This plan will not only help my children get an education but also improve our living conditions. Overall, I am working hard to make sure we have a stable and secure life in the coming years."

"My plan is to become a successful large-scale farmer, growing maize, tomatoes, and vegetables on a bigger scale. I want to use the profits from my shop to invest in farming, so I can afford the seeds, equipment, and irrigation needed for a larger operation. Expanding my farm will help me earn more income and create a stable source of food and money for my family. I hope this will also allow me to provide a good education for my children and improve our quality of life. With time, I aim to grow my farm to be self-sustaining and profitable. Achieving this goal would mean more stability and security for us all in the coming years."

"I poured my heart into farming to provide for my family, but there were times when finding the resources was nearly impossible. When I had a bit of capital, I’d always manage to plant watermelons, a crop that brings hope to my family, yet sometimes I struggled to gather even that small amount. With this transfer, I finally had the chance to invest fully, using $220 to buy seeds, plough the land, and fuel the generator for watering. The watermelon crop is now flowering beautifully, promising a profit of around $1,500 for just one acre—a return that can lift us significantly. Additionally, I allocated $80 to cover my child’s school fees. Education is something I want for all five of my children, as I know it will give them opportunities I never had. In our household, farming is the primary source of income, so each season matters. This transfer allowed me to keep my child in school without risking our farming resources, giving me peace of mind about both their future and our present. To secure another part of our livelihood, I also bought two goats for $150. These goats will soon provide us with milk, which not only supports my family’s health but can also generate some income. My wife and I work side by side on the farm, tending to both crops and livestock. Life wasn’t easy before, but with these investments, I see us growing, little by little, toward a better future for our family."

"Life had been a constant struggle, and I had grown used to facing it all on my own. Raising four children without any support was overwhelming; I had never married, and every responsibility fell on me. Paying school fees was one of my biggest burdens—I often had to sell my livestock, organize small fundraisers, or rely on farming to scrape together enough. When I received the cash transfer, I used $80 to pay for their fees, finally easing that load. Knowing my children could continue their education without interruption gave me a deep sense of relief and hope.With another $60, I bought a bed and mattress, something I’d needed for so long. Before this, I had been sleeping on a broken bed with no mattress, which made for long, uncomfortable nights. Having a proper bed to sleep on has changed my nights completely, and I finally wake up rested and ready for the day. It’s a simple thing, but for me, it’s been a huge improvement. I’m grateful for this small comfort, which has made such a big difference in my life.Lastly, I spent $40 on food. I used to rely on casual jobs to feed my family, but work was never guaranteed. My usual place to burn charcoal, a source of income for us, was no longer available after the lake submerged the trees. With the cash transfer, I could buy enough food to keep my family going without the constant worry of where our next meal would come from. This support has truly changed our lives, giving us stability and a chance to focus on other things besides daily survival."