"My plan for the coming year is to invest in livestock using the cash transfers I receive. I believe that by purchasing livestock, I can create a sustainable source of income for my family. Once these animals reproduce, I intend to sell them, generating additional funds that will allow me to comfortably provide for my children's basic needs. I believe that by ensuring my children have access to a good education, their future will be secure, and they will also be able to support us in return. I'm grateful for the support and opportunities that Givedirectly transfers have provided us."

"The third transfer brought immense relief to our family, arriving just in time for the new school year. With three children in secondary school and limited income from casual labor, and my spouse's teaching salary of $80 monthly, paying school fees was a daunting challenge. Utilizing $30 from the transfer, I was able to ensure that three of our children could start school without any delays or worries. Without this assistance, I am uncertain how we would have managed, as seeking help through village fundraising is not only embarrassing but often insufficient. From my experience, the most you could raise through this fundraiser is $20. Witnessing our children heading off to school on opening day filled me with gratitude and pride. Additionally, I allocated $35 of the transfer to purchase five plastic chairs. Previously, we struggled with limited seating, but now we have ample chairs for our family gatherings and visitors. I spent the remaining funds on purchasing food to sustain us. Despite facing challenges with our leased land and limited maize production, we're grateful for the support that ensures our family's basic needs are met."

"The idea of starting my own business started the moment I began receiving my transfers. I am currently not employed, as I devote my time to taking care of my children at home. The more I save, the more inspired I become to start my own vegetable shop. I believe that through proper saving, I will certainly start my business. This venture would make it easier for us to afford my children's school fees."

"Buying a plot of land in a safe place"

"I was at home with my husband pounding maize preparing them for the posho mill when I heard my phone ring. Since I do not know how to read, I asked my husband to check it. He, then, joyfully informed me that we had received our 2nd transfer from GiveDirectly. I was equally excited as I knew my plans could finally be realized. I live with my husband and 3 sons aged between 10 and 20 years in a small 2-roomed house which is not appropriate for us going by our cultural beliefs. My three teenage sons are all grown up now, and their curiosity about life makes it difficult for my spouse and me to have private moments. My husband is a plumber and works as a casual labourer, while I buy and sell brooms to earn a living. Our little earnings were barely enough to cater to our family's needs alongside building a decent house. I therefore spent $500 to build another 2-bedroom house so that my boys can sleep separately from us and give us the privacy and respect that we deserve, and also for them to sleep comfortably. This house has been a huge relief to us because I was worried that my boys would pick up some behaviours which were not age-appropriate for them."

"The lack of a reliable source of income stands out as the major challenge in my life. This is because considering that I am a housewife, I mostly depend on my spouse who is a casual laborer in the transportation sector in Mombasa. His average daily income is $5 but it is also not a guarantee for him to work the whole week and this means, sometimes, he remains idle. At the end of the week, he sends me at least $5 to support us at home. This situation has limited me to living a decent life with my family of 4. My house is very small and of grass-thatched roof which leaks during the rainy season. I am also very worried about the education of my daughter who is still in the pre-primary level. What a life to worry about!"

"When I got $200 from GiveDirectly, it was a blessing. One of my kids was at home because we couldn't pay school fees, so I used $100 to send him back to school. At home, we were struggling with food, so $40 went to buying groceries for my family. Another $40 went to buying new clothes for my kids who badly needed them. It was a moment of gratitude and joy, knowing we could address these urgent needs."

"Looking ahead, my goal for the upcoming year is to invest further in livestock, particularly goats. I plan to utilize my savings and future transfers to establish this venture, as goats thrive well in my area and require minimal care. The income generated from selling them will enhance my financial stability and provide a safety net for emergencies. I am proud of the progress I have made and excited for the opportunities that lie ahead as I continue to build a better future for myself."

"Reliable source of income is the challenge I am facing in life. I do casual jobs earning very little income which caters for food. Sometimes I miss job for almost a week. This makes me go without food ."

"Looking ahead, my goal for the year ahead is to start a chicken project within my compound. I plan to allocate $20 monthly from the transfers towards this venture, aiming to generate additional income to support my family. Establishing a stable source of revenue through this project will provide me with peace of mind, knowing that my family's needs will be met consistently. This signifies a step towards greater financial stability and security for my loved ones, and I am committed to its success."