"My main goal in the coming year and beyond is to prioritize the education of my children. I believe that ensuring they receive a good education will provide them with a brighter future. I plan to use a portion of my transfers to pay their school fees consistently, making sure that they don’t owe any money to their school and can focus on their studies without any financial interruptions. I am deeply grateful for the financial support that is enabling me to invest in my children’s education and meet some of our family’s urgent needs. Thank you for this opportunity to improve our lives and secure a better future for my children."

"On the housing front, I have managed to buy 22 pieces of new iron sheets. My long-term goal is to build a new, two-roomed house. Our current home is cramped and lacks enough space for our family of four. A bigger house will provide the comfort and space we need. With the iron sheets already in place, my next step is to purchase building poles, nails, and sisal twine ropes. I plan to save a portion of the money from future transfers to buy these materials bit by bit until I have everything needed for the construction. I am genuinely grateful for the financial support, which is not only helping me meet my family’s immediate needs but also bringing me closer to my long-term goals of providing a better and more comfortable living environment for my family."

"My long-term goal is to build a sturdy stone-walled house for my family. The new home will provide a sense of safety and security, as it will be able to withstand the harsh weather conditions common in our village. I won’t have to live in constant fear of the house collapsing again. To get started, I have already purchased a lorry of sand for $70. Moving forward, I plan to save a portion of my future transfers to buy two more lorries of building stones. Each step brings me closer to realizing this dream, and I am truly grateful for the financial support that is helping me move toward these goals, especially given my limited financial capacity."

"My goal for the coming year is to build a larger, more spacious, and durable house that can comfortably accommodate all five members of my family. I have outlined a step-by-step plan to achieve this, focusing on using a portion of my transfers each month to buy the necessary building materials. So far, with the support of my husband, we have managed to purchase a lorry of stones for $70. However, we still need more stones and additional materials to complete the two-roomed house. I intend to save a portion of my future transfers and gradually buy the remaining materials bit by bit until we have everything required for the construction. I am incredibly grateful for the financial support, which is helping us make progress toward our dream despite the financial challenges we face. This new home will provide our family with more space and security, and I’m eager to see it become a reality."

"I spent $350 from my recent transfer to cover my two children's high school fees, ensuring that they could continue their education without interruption. Prior to this payment, I struggled to keep up with the fees, resulting in occasional arrears and temporary exclusion from school for my children. With this payment, I was able to clear their arrears and provide them with a stable educational environment. This has brought me a sense of relief, allowing me to focus on saving for the upcoming term's fees. Furthermore, I invested $120 in purchasing two goats, which I am now raising on my compound. I view these goats as valuable assets that can provide financial stability. As they reproduce and grow into a herd, I can sell their offspring to generate additional income, which I can use to support my children's education and other household needs. The remaining funds were used to purchase essential food items, including a bag of maize that will sustain us for a month. This has significantly improved our food security, ensuring that my family no longer struggles to have three meals a day."

"I was busy with my daily hustle in farming, mainly preparing other people's farms, when I heard my phone ringing. I handed my phone to my sister to check who had sent the message, and she confirmed that I had received my cash transfers. I felt so happy and thankful because I knew that I would soon own a house, as mine was too small to accommodate all five of us. It felt like a miracle, and I couldn’t imagine how my life would be after that. "

"I used a significant portion of the money I received to revitalize my struggling shop business. Previously, I had limited stock, and customers often left disappointed when they couldn't find what they needed. With $300, I diversified my inventory, adding household items, food, and school supplies. This investment paid off as my shop now attracts many customers. I even opened a bank account to start saving from the shop's earnings. Besides the shop, I'm also working on building a new, more spacious house. My current home, made of palm tree leaves, is not durable and doesn't provide enough space for my family. Therefore, I used the rest of the money to buy 15 iron sheets and building poles to start the construction of a new iron-roofed house."

"I was at home in the afternoon with my family, chatting after having our lunch, when I received a notification on my phone. Upon checking the message to confirm receipt, I realized it was an M-Pesa message. Reading further, I was overjoyed to learn that it was my first transfer from GiveDirectly. The thought that I could now build a new house increased my joy even more, and I thanked them for their assistance."

"My current business involves producing and selling charcoal, but my ultimate aim is to save enough money to transition into selling vegetables. I envision establishing my own venture where I can offer a variety of produce such as tomatoes, kales, carrots, and other groceries. As a widow with the sole responsibility of caring for my children, this shift into vegetable sales is not just a business endeavor but a means of securing a steady income to support my family. Venturing into vegetable sales will not only diversify my income sources but also provide nutritious food options for my community. I am resolute in ensuring the success of this business, as it signifies an opportunity to enhance our quality of life and build a sustainable future for my children."

"I acquired five goats through GiveDirectly transfers and also joined a merry-go-round group where we contribute money every month for future financial security. With the contributions, I decided to invest in poultry farming and purchase more goats. This project gives me confidence that I will not go back to where I was before GiveDirectly came, as I now have assets. In the coming years, I hope to open my own salon business. Currently, I am employed but paid in terms of commission, so having my own salon will provide me with a more stable income to support my family and my child. To achieve this goal, I am saving part of my transfer every month in our merry-go-round group. Once I have accumulated at least $500, which is the required amount to start a salon business, then I will move out and look for a business house to establish my salon."