"My son will graduate next August, and my goal is to continue paying his tuition until he completes his studies. I want him to stay focused, free from financial worries, so he can perform well in school. I am confident that his dedication will pay off, giving him a strong chance of securing a good job and a bright future. I am incredibly thankful for the financial support, which has made it possible for me to invest in his education."

"With jobs scarce in the village and the weather making farming impossible, it is becoming increasingly challenging to earn an income. I am forced to buy food from the shop, where prices are high, which adds to the difficulty of meeting my family’s needs. My goal in the coming year is to use the support to ensure we have enough to eat. Until things improve, my focus will remain on providing food for my family through the transfers. I am truly appreciative of this assistance, which is helping me take good care of my family despite the challenges."

"Now that I have moved into my new house, my next goal is to install a door to keep my belongings and myself safe. I also plan to build stone pillars for added durability, which will help the house withstand strong winds and heavy rains. Over the next year, I will save a portion from each transfer, and once I have enough, I’ll work toward these improvements. I am very grateful for this support, which has made it possible for me to enjoy a better quality of life."

"In the coming year, I hope to purchase a solar lighting system for our home. Currently, I use a paraffin lantern, but paraffin is costly, and this method is not sustainable. To make this happen, I plan to save from my future transfers so I can put down a deposit on the solar lighting system. Once it’s installed, I will make small monthly payments, allowing us to enjoy reliable and cost-effective lighting. I am deeply appreciative of the support that’s helping me improve our quality of life."

"My goal for the coming year is to expand my livestock. By investing in more animals, I can eventually generate income from selling them, helping to provide for both myself and my family. To make this happen, I plan to save part of each transfer, and once I’ve set aside enough, I’ll buy another goat. This steady approach will allow my herd to grow gradually. I’m genuinely thankful for the financial support that is helping me achieve this goal and ensuring both my own and my family’s well-being."

"I am truly grateful that my life took a positive turn after receiving financial support from GiveDirectly, which has significantly improved my living conditions. Living in the village, I’ve mainly relied on burning and selling charcoal, which has never been enough to properly sustain my family. Times were tough, and we often went without food or had to skip meals due to a lack of resources. I also practised subsistence farming to provide for my family, but with inadequate rainfall this season, I wasn’t able to cultivate anything. On top of this, my house was in serious disrepair, with weakened walls that were close to collapsing, and I couldn’t afford renovations. The support I received came at the perfect time. First, I spent $220 to buy cement and a truckload of sand, which I’m using to make bricks to reinforce my house. I believe bricks will be far more durable than the old building poles, and soon my home will be stable and secure. To address the recurring issue of food shortages, I spent $240 to purchase enough foodstuffs that will last us for several months. This includes a bag of maize and various cereals, ensuring that my family now has enough to eat every day without missing meals. Additionally, I used $55 to cover school fees for my children, allowing them to remain in school without interruptions. Finally, I spent $35 to buy essential household items that were previously lacking in our home."

"When I turned on my phone early in the morning, after it had been off and charging overnight, an Mpesa message popped up on the screen. Curious to see who might have sent me money so early, I opened the message—and to my surprise, it was my first transfer from GiveDirectly! I had been eagerly waiting for this support to renovate my house, and seeing the message filled me with joy. It truly brightened my day, and I immediately began planning to buy the building materials I needed to rebuild my home, which was nearly collapsing."

"As I considered my options for investing the funds from these transfers, I decided to focus on an income-generating venture. I ultimately chose goat rearing and am pleased to have acquired nine goats so far. I believe that investing in goats is a wise strategy due to their ability to multiply quickly. This allows me to either sell them or trade them for dairy cows, which is my long-term goal. Once my goat population grows sufficiently, I aim to exchange some of them for a dairy cow. Having a dairy cow would be advantageous as it would provide me with milk to sell, generating additional income to support my family. I am confident that expanding into dairy farming will greatly enhance my family’s well-being and help secure a better future for us."

"I am currently employed as a motorcycle driver while my wife runs a small fried chicken business. With five school-aged children, we have to work diligently to generate enough income to support them. The assistance we receive from GiveDirectly has significantly reduced our financial strain, allowing us to have extra income for our family. Looking ahead to the next year and beyond, I have two main priorities to address. First, I aim to build a proper coop for my poultry. I started this project to prepare for when the transfers end, ensuring that I will have a sustainable investment that provides income during financial difficulties. Chickens reproduce quickly and have a strong market demand, which is why I chose to invest my transfers in this venture. I plan to continue using part of my transfers to purchase more chickens and expand my poultry farming. I am pleased to say that I already have ten chickens, which is a solid starting point. Additionally, I want to prioritize my children's education by allocating another portion of my transfer to cover their school fees, ensuring they receive the best possible education. As the saying goes, education is the key to success, and I want to make certain that my children are well-educated so they can support themselves and their families in the future."

"A few years ago, I acquired an acre of land, with a promise to pay in installments until the full amount was settled. Our compound has become overcrowded, and the community land we rely on for farming is no longer sufficient for the whole family. This motivated me to buy the land, where I hope my children can eventually build homes and use for agriculture. To reduce my remaining balance, I paid $300 towards the land after receiving my first transfer, and I am optimistic that I will soon complete the payments and gain full ownership. Additionally, I paid $70 in tuition fees for my daughter, who is currently studying hairdressing in college. This payment has enabled her to stay in school without the stress of potential fee interruptions. I also allocated funds towards my medical expenses, as I need surgery for a growth on my throat to prevent further complications. I spent $130 on preliminary procedures and imaging, and the surgery is scheduled to take place soon. With the remaining funds, I purchased essentials, including a bag of maize that will last us for up to a month, ensuring that my family has enough food each day."