"For too long, I've been relying on my brother's hospitality for a place to sleep, and it hasn't been easy. But now, with a clear plan in mind, I'm determined to build my own house before the year ends. I've already made some progress. I've managed to save up 12 pieces of iron sheets and 30 building poles. My goal was to gather 14 iron sheets and 40 building poles, and I'm not far off. With hard work and perseverance, I believe I can achieve my dream of having a place to call my own, where I can finally find peace of mind and independence."

"Looking ahead, my goal is to expand my investments by increasing the number of goats I keep. Right now, I have four goats, but I aim to add five more by the end of this year. With a solid savings plan in place, I am confident that I can turn this dream into a reality. By growing my goat herd, I hope to secure a better future for myself and my family, ensuring financial stability and independence in the long run."

"Looking ahead to the coming year, my main goal is to make my home stable and secure. The walls were weakened by the last heavy rain, and it's been a constant worry for me. By June, I aim to renovate the house, strengthening its structure and ensuring it can withstand any future storms. I've started a saving plan, putting aside $15 each month, which I believe will accumulate enough to cover the renovation costs. This project is my top priority, as having a safe and stable home is essential for my family's well-being and peace of mind."

"My goal for the coming year and beyond is to become a successful goat farmer. I'm taking steps toward this dream by starting with chicken farming, knowing that five grown chickens can be exchanged for a goat. Right now, I have two goats, but by the end of this year, I aim to increase my herd by adding three more. With determination and careful planning, I believe I can achieve my dream of expanding my livestock and building a sustainable livelihood through goat farming."

"With the support I received from GiveDirectly, I have big dreams for the future. My goal is to venture into livestock farming, particularly raising goats, as a means of securing my future. To achieve this, I have devised a plan: I am saving $10 each month in a merry-go-round group, and by September 2024, it will be my turn to receive the accumulated funds. This money will serve as the capital to kickstart my goat farming endeavor. I have chosen goats because they are affordable to acquire and maintain, and there's a steady demand for them in the market. I am determined to turn this opportunity into a thriving business that will not only provide for my family but also create a sustainable source of income for years to come."

"I am deeply thankful for the support that has improved my life in old age. This was unexpected since I had never received an unconditional transfer throughout my entire life. Everything went smoothly, and I received all the money as promised by the GiveDirectly staff. I did not encounter any issues or shortcomings in the process."

"I live with my 5 children, while my husband, who works as a tailor in another town, frequently visits us. Our current dwelling is a two-roomed house, which proves insufficient for our needs, especially since all the children share one room. As they grow older and desire privacy, this living arrangement becomes increasingly uncomfortable for them. Unfortunately, my husband's earnings are limited, preventing us from constructing an additional room for our children. This situation causes us significant mental distress as we anticipate the need for separate sleeping quarters in the near future. To address this challenge, I allocated $350 to extend an extra room in our house, providing the privacy our children require. This alleviated a considerable burden from our shoulders, allowing us to breathe peacefully and relax our minds. Additionally, I spent $50 to purchase mattresses since they were sleeping on worn-out mats on the floor, which was distressing to witness. Now, our children are delighted to sleep on comfortable mattresses, enjoying restful nights. Furthermore, I used $150 to clear school fees debts for my children accumulated from previous terms and to enable one of my daughters to obtain her certificates and pursue her college education. She is now relieved that she can comfortably explore courses and attend college, having obtained her necessary documents."

"I was at home with my husband and mother-in-law, busy burning charcoal to sell and provide for our family. Amidst our work, my child ran towards me with my phone, indicating it had rung. Upon checking, I found a message notification, revealing a mobile money transfer from GiveDirectly. Excitedly, I shared the news with my husband and mother-in-law. Since she was also enrolled, she asked me to check her phone to confirm if she had received money as well. Indeed, she had. We hugged each other with immense joy, as this unexpected blessing uplifted us. We reside in a leaking one-roomed house with my husband and 4 children, insufficient for all of us. Consequently, 3 of my children sleep at their grandmother's house, while I sleep with the youngest, who still breastfeeds. Sleeping together as a family under one roof has always been my wish, but due to space constraints and their growing age, it's been challenging. I work as a waiter in a small food kiosk, earning $1 a day, while my husband works as a casual laborer in the market, with no daily guarantee of work. Our combined earnings barely cover family needs, school fees, and the desire to build a house. My first priority was constructing a home where we can all sleep comfortably together as a family."

"My husband is living with disability since he is blind. Since we are the only two people who stay full-time at home, It has forced me to stay indoors all through the day as I take care of him. This situation has hindered me from taking tasks outside home and it means, we fully depend on my son who works in Mombasa to send us some cash. Although he has been supportive, sometimes he fails to send us money because he has his family to support. Hence, I consider financial instability as my biggest challenge."

"The feeling of being jobless despite having dressmaking skills has never given me peace of mind ever since I got married, 7 years ago. Since our area's main economic activity is farming, this is what I have actively been engaged in. However, this is also not reliable because sometimes, our area experiences prolonged drought, which hinders us from doing farming. Under this situation, my household is food insecure and I always feel pain as a mother. Hence, the lack of a reliable source of income becomes my biggest challenge."