"In the coming year and beyond, my main objective is to use my income and any additional funds to work towards the construction of our dream house. My spouse works as a motorcycle taxi driver and is diligently providing for our family's basic needs, especially while I am unable to work due to my health. To supplement our income, we've decided that I will invest a portion of my earnings into poultry farming by purchasing chickens and turkeys for domestic breeding. Our plan is for them to multiply, and when the time comes to build our house, we will sell some to contribute to our goal. Our current house is in poor condition, with a grass roof that leaks significantly during the rainy season. Therefore, I am keen to replace it with iron sheets to permanently resolve this issue."

"Living in the village with a family of six children presents numerous challenges. Our story is one of resilience, love, and enduring hardship. Two of our children, both in college, have been eagerly awaiting the start of the new school term. However, it's now been a month since schools reopened, and they remain at home. The reason is a simple yet daunting one: school fees. We lack the funds to send them back to their studies, and every day they stay home, their dreams of higher education seem to drift further away. My husband works tirelessly selling charcoal in Mombasa. He is the sole breadwinner of our family, bearing the weight of our financial struggles on his shoulders. His days are long and grueling, and despite his efforts, the money he earns is barely enough to cover our basic needs, let alone the steep costs of college fees for our children. In the village, opportunities for income are scarce. As much as I wish to contribute, finding work that pays enough to make a difference is nearly impossible. I spend my days taking care of our younger children, managing the household, and seeking out any possible means to support our family's needs. The uncertainty and anxiety over our children's education weigh heavily on us. We dream of a future where they can attend school without the constant fear of being sent home due to unpaid fees. We hope for a time when our financial situation stabilizes, allowing us to provide them with the education they deserve."

"Lack of employment is the current challenge I am facing in life. I have a motorcycle business in the village, though I do not have a permanent motorbike. The one I had was taken by the owner. I can take even a week without accessing a job. This has made my family go without food for some time. I had to request my elder sister, who is a teacher at Danicha, to help enroll my child at school and assist in the payment of school fees. I am struggling in my life. I feel ashamed to abscond my responsibility due to a lack of employment."

"In the upcoming year and beyond, I have two main priorities that I am determined to achieve. First and foremost, I am focused on replacing the roof of my house. Currently, when it rains, water leaks into the house, making our living conditions very unhealthy. The current roof, was made a long time ago, is deteriorating with rust and holes . It is crucial for me to address this situation. Fortunately, the walls are still stable, and I only need to plaster them to make them stronger, as well as address the leaking floor. I recently observed water coming up from the floor during rainy days, which has prompted me to expedite the roof replacement and subsequently focus on the floor. Once the interior is plastered, I will move on to the exterior. To accomplish this goal, I am setting aside a portion of my monthly earnings in our savings group. When my turn comes, I will use these savings to purchase new iron sheets and cover the labor costs. Aside from this, I have three children attending school, and it is my prayer to ensure that their education is not disrupted by school fee issues. To prevent any interruptions, I am committing to paying their fees every month when I receive my earnings. I am immensely grateful to GiveDirectly for the financial support, which has significantly relieved us from our financial burdens."

"In the coming year, my main goal is to launch a firewood-selling business. I have observed a high demand for firewood in my area, particularly in secondary schools, and I am confident that it can be a lucrative source of income for my family and me. To achieve this dream, I intend to set aside a small portion of my monthly transfers, steadily working towards my target. With an initial capital of $180, I can purchase the first batch of firewood and commence selling it to the nearby schools. Every month, I will save what I can, knowing that even the smallest amount will bring me closer to my goal. Once the business is established, I aim to expand it gradually, ensuring a consistent income for years to come. This business will not only enable me to support my family but also provide the stability I have always desired."

"In the coming year, my biggest goal is to start a clothes-selling business to create another source of income. I want to specialize in women’s clothes because they have a ready market, and their demand is always high. To achieve this, I plan to save from both the monthly transfers I receive and the income from my charcoal business. Every month, I will set aside a portion of my earnings, bit by bit, until I have enough to buy my first stock. With hard work and determination, I believe I can grow this business, providing more stability for my family. Beyond this year, I hope to expand and make my clothing business a reliable source of income, allowing me to support my household even better."

"The challenge that I am currently facing is food insecurity. I am a widow with 5 kids and 2 grand children. I depend on charcoal burning and sell firewood for a living. The jobs is energy draining since there are no longer big trees that you can use to produce quality charcoal. Besides, you go over 5 kilometers in search of the materials since bushes have been cleared for farming. It takes about 3 weeks for them to be ready for sale as well. In a month you can get $23 which is supposed to cater for food, education of my children and any other domestic affair. Due to this, it has been an uphill task to finance their learning. My second born daughter who completed her high school three years ago is still at home because of lack of money. This pains my heart because I am scared that her dream of becoming a teacher may not be realized."

"Being a housewife sometimes pose a lot challenges in life. Currently, I am involved in charcoal work, selling firewood and subsistence farming. All these activities combined still can not meet my needs because they earn me little money, usually $23.1 in a good month. My husband is also a casual labourer in Kikambala town and he sometimes sends me $23.1. All this income goes to food and school fees. However, this amount is not enough to cater all school fees for my children, since I am required to pay $153.8 per term. This struggle in making ends meet is something that has drained my energy. Hence, financial instability stands out to be my biggest challenge."

"To support our family, my spouse Samson and I work part-time jobs. While my spouse pays for our children's tuition, I use my $31 monthly income primarily for food and other necessities for the home. My spouse's earnings fluctuate based on the number of people he transports which makes it inconsistent. This inconsistency has impacted our children because he is unable to pay their tuition on time, which has an impact on their education as they are constantly sent home for unpaid balances. I find it very depressing to watch my kids at home all the time while their peers their age are in school. Therefore, the inadequate flow of income is what is making my life more difficult."

"We are a family of six, trying our best to navigate through some very challenging times. My husband, who was the primary breadwinner, used to work as a driver for a local company. For years, his job provided us with a sense of security and stability. However, everything changed when the company unexpectedly shut down, leaving him unemployed. The timing couldn't have been worse. Just as the company closed its doors, my husband's driving license expired. Renewing it has proven to be a difficult task, partly due to the fees involved and partly due to bureaucratic hurdles. Without a valid license, he has been unable to secure another driving job, which was his primary skill set and our main source of income. As a result, our family is struggling to meet even our most basic needs. Putting food on the table has become a daily challenge, and we often find ourselves having to make tough choices between groceries and other essential expenses. Our children's school fees have also become a significant concern. Education is incredibly important to us, but with our current financial situation, keeping our kids in school feels like an insurmountable obstacle. Every day is a battle to keep our heads above water. The stress and anxiety of our circumstances weigh heavily on us, but we are determined to find a way through this. We hope for better days ahead, for a stable job for my husband, and for a time when we no longer have to worry about where our next meal will come from or whether our children can continue their education."