"With the transfers I’ve been receiving, I am driven by two significant dreams. The first is to build a better house for my family, as our current home is in such poor condition that it feels like it could collapse at any moment, with holes visible from the outside. Realizing this dream will not only restore my dignity as a family man but also greatly enhance our security. My second goal is to expand my goat herd and purchase chickens. I believe this will be crucial for my financial stability, especially once the GiveDirectly project ends. Having these animals will provide a reliable source of income to support my family. I plan to grow my herd to at least 20 goats, which will serve as a vital financial safety net for us."

"As a widow who has depended entirely on farming, life has become extremely difficult due to the severe drought in my region. I have envisioned raising more goats, believing they will be a crucial asset if I face future challenges. Currently, I have two goats, and my goal is to expand this number to ensure a better future for my children and future generations. I plan to save a small amount of money each month to support this goal, and I am confident that I will achieve it. I truly believe that this investment in goats is the key to overcoming the persistent poverty that has plagued my region for years."

"Floods have been persistent over the past four months, we have been displaced. During this period we've been forced to ask for hosting by neighbors from safer villages. Additionally, we also lost some of our household items such as utensils, beddings and ten chickens as a result. It has really made our lives hard and feeding our family is an uphill task. We depend on aid which hardly covers our needs and getting casual jobs or burning charcoal is difficult during the flood season."

"Being a disabled woman and raising 3 children is the greatest challenge I have. Despite all my efforts, I have to think differently on how to make my ends meet. I have a stambling block of facing the world of hard and manual work without standing on my legs. I was born disabled. I can not walk, I only cripple using both my limbs like a goat! But I thank God for giving me life. I have three children, the oldest is in class 7. I am struggling to grow my children with a heavy believe that they will help me in the future."

"Recently, my life has become more difficult due to inadequate finances.Samin, my spouse, is the only source of income for the family.Even though he makes $57.87 a month, the current state of the economy prevents him from providing for a family of seven. He usually sends home $23.09 to cover family expenses, which is insufficient to pay our children's school fees and purchase food."

"In the coming year, I am committed to transforming my life through commercial farming. I recently purchased a plot of land in Galana, near a river, to establish a flourishing farm. My initial objective is to acquire a pumping machine for irrigation, enabling me to use the river's water and cultivate crops throughout the year. With consistent production, I aim to supply fresh produce to local markets, establishing a sustainable income for my family. This journey, which commences with the simple act of irrigating my land, will ultimately lead to a future where I can provide for my family and contribute to the local economy."

"I have not been able to continue my education since I completed my A level due to financial constraints. My mother, who is the only provider for our family, left me to look after my younger siblings at home while she searches for employment opportunities in town.She makes $3.88 a day, which is insufficient to cover our basic expenses and my younger brothers' ongoing school fees. Therefore, not having enough money to attend college is what is currently making my life more difficult."

"In our polygamous family, we encounter a multitude of challenges stemming from our family's size and our limited resources. These challenges range from food insecurity, school fees, clothing, and bedding. With my husband aging, these challenges have become even more pronounced. As the second wife in the family, the responsibility of providing for our family of 8 falls heavily on my shoulders. Despite my efforts with a vegetable vending business, it is not sufficient to meet all our needs. Consequently, I have resorted to engaging in other income-generating activities such as charcoal burning. However, this has led to health concerns, including persistent dry cough and chest problems, due to the associated smoke and fumes."

"Paying school fees for my 5 children and also meeting the family's domestic needs is really giving me headache. I have 5 children in school with fees arrears of ksh. 18000 since last term. my children haven't done exams for this term because of the fees balances and arrears of last term. I depend on my charcoal business which generates a gross income of ksh. 10,000 per month. I am really struggling in life."

"In our polygamous family, we face a significant challenge with food insecurity that has had a profound impact on our daily lives. The lack of consistent access to food has been a major source of concern for our family, while we also struggle to provide adequate living conditions and bedding and cover our children's school fees. Compounding these difficulties, my husband, who is the primary breadwinner, is elderly and currently unemployed, exacerbating our financial strain. The competing needs of our large family often overwhelm us, making it difficult to prioritize important expenses. There have been numerous occasions this year when we've had to go to bed hungry, and the financial strain has even prevented my co-wife's children from attending school at times. To add to our challenges, the recent failure of the March-April-May rains has resulted in a complete lack of harvest, leaving us without essential crops to sustain our family."