"I want to build a new house because the one I have right now is just a single-room house, yet I have four children. As time goes on, they keep growing, and I know I need to build a bigger house to give them more space and comfort. The plan is to plough a shamba so I can plant beans. Once I harvest the beans, I’ll sell them. And with that money, I’ll start building the house. But before that, I need to get the land ready and buy the beans for planting. To do all that, I’ll use the money I make from the maize I’ve just sold to Kenya Seed. It’s not going to be easy, but I have to do it. A better home for my children—one with more rooms where they can grow up comfortably—is worth the effort and I am optimistic that I am going to do it."

"I’m hoping that in the next year, I will have moved out of the place I currently live in. To make that happen, I need to finish paying for the piece of land I’ve been working towards and begin construction on my new house. With the third transfer I’ll receive, I’m going to use half of it to clear the balance on the land. That way, I can finally call it mine and start working on the house. Once the beans in the farm are ready, I’ll sell them and use the money to fund the building. It’s going to be a slow process, but one step at a time, I know I’ll get there. I am very determined and optimistic and also aware of the challenges ahead but fully committed to seeing this dream through."

"Once the melons are ready, I want to build a house on a plot I bought some time back. Where I’m currently staying, it floods a lot, especially during heavy rains, and honestly, I’m tired of dealing with it. I bought half an acre of land a while ago, and it’s about time I put it to use. I’ve just been holding off, waiting for the right moment, but I think this is it. The idea is to use the income from the melon harvest to kick start the construction. It doesn’t need to be extravagant—just something sturdy and reliable, something I can call my own without worrying about floods every rainy season. That piece of land has been sitting idle long enough. I’m ready to finally make it count."

"GiveDirectly didn't just hand me the money and walk away; they provided invaluable advice on how to spend it wisely. Their guidance helped me prioritize my needs and think strategically about my future. While they offered suggestions for making the funds last, they respected my choices, allowing me to decide what was best for me and my family. This sense of autonomy was empowering and made me feel like I was in control of my own life. What impressed me most was how clearly everything was explained. They took the time to ensure I understood every detail, making it easier to navigate my options. This clarity gave me confidence in my decisions, and I was able to focus on improving my living situation rather than getting lost in confusion. Thanks to GiveDirectly, I now have not just financial support but also a clearer vision for my future. I do not see anything that needs to be changed about the program."

"In the upcoming year and beyond, my plan is to open my own sewing shop. I’ve already ordered a machine from Mombasa and paid for it using the savings I accumulated through our merry-go-round group. With my coursework complete, I’m ready to launch the shop, which will provide an income to support my family. I also plan to rent a nearby space and stock additional items to sell alongside my tailoring services. I’ve purchased the sewing machine and am currently awaiting its arrival. Once it arrives, I will open the shop and start this new chapter. I'm truly grateful to GiveDirectly for their support, which has renewed my optimism in achieving this goal. Additionally, I plan to invest in farming tools, including a bull for ploughing, and I’m saving for this through the same merry-go-round group. I am optimistic about achieving my goals before the transfers come to an end."

"I have a wife at home, but, well, I haven’t paid her dowry yet. It’s something that’s been weighing on me for a while now. You know, it’s not that I don’t want to—I do. I want to honor her family and make everything official. But, life… life hasn’t been easy. Right now, where we’re staying, every time it rains heavily, we’re on edge because of the flooding. I plan that once the tomatoes I planted are ready, I’ll sell them off and use the money to buy a small piece of land. That’s my ticket to moving out of this place and into somewhere better—somewhere safe. After that, I’ll keep planting, keep working hard. Once we’re settled and life feels a bit more stable, I’ll finally take the step I’ve been meaning to take for a while. I’ll pay the dowry which is important to all of us and I want to do it right, make our marriage official in the way it should be. We’ve been through a lot together, and I want to honor her properly."

"First, I want to ensure that I’ve moved to the new piece of land where I’ve already made a deposit. It’s a big step for me because this land is something I’ve been saving for. My plan is to build a house there and relocate, finally having a place of my own that I can really call home. Luckily, I’ll be using the last of the GiveDirectly transfers I’m receiving to help sort out the costs of building. It’s a blessing to have that support, and I know it will make a big difference. On top of that, I’ve already planted an acre of beans. It’s hard work, but I’m hopeful. If all goes well and I get a good harvest, I plan to sell the beans and use the money to buy goats. I’ve thought about this a lot, and I know goats are easy to maintain. Plus, they’re a solid investment. Over time, I can sell some of them to cover important expenses, especially school fees for my children. That’s really my long-term focus—making sure I have enough resources for my kids’ education. It’s a lot to take on, but I’m feeling positive about it all."

"Since my husband passed away two years ago, I’ve had to take on the full responsibility of covering our children’s school fees, clothing, food, and other essentials. The house was already in poor condition when he passed, and it’s been a struggle to meet all their needs with the limited profits from my charcoal business. With the recent increase in the cost of basic commodities, the situation has become even more difficult. My children were often sent home for unpaid fees, so I decided to dedicate all my transfers toward paying their school fees. Renovating the house is my second priority. Although I replaced the roof, the house is still unsafe as the cracked walls let in insects and rain. My immediate goal is to rebuild the walls, and I plan to save $4 each month to buy construction materials. I can’t save more than that right now due to other basic needs. Once my children finish their education, I intend to invest in goat and chicken rearing projects. These projects will generate more income, as they multiply when well taken care of, increasing their financial value. I'm confident that once these projects are established, they will provide security. In case of a financial crisis, I’ll be able to sell some animals to support my family."

"Moving forward, my primary focus is to use my transfers to help my child, who has a deformed leg. I am determined to ensure that he receives the necessary medical attention so that he can have a good leg and enjoy a normal life like other children. In addition to my child's medical care, I plan to use part of the transfers to buy goats. My hope is that these goats will multiply and increase in number over time. I then intend to trade some of the goats for cows, which I can train to help plow my farm. In the future, I may be able to sell some of the cows as they multiply and use the proceeds to fund my children's education. I am excited to see these plans come to fruition with the help of the transfers I receive from GiveDirectly, and I am hopeful that I will be able to provide my children with the best possible opportunities."

"I was surprised that participation was entirely voluntary. We had the freedom to choose if we wanted to be part of the program or not. This gave me a sense of control and dignity because I knew that whatever decision I made, it was mine alone. What I liked even more was how transparent the whole process was. They explained to us where the money was coming from and shared every detail about how the program would work from beginning to end. There were no hidden surprises or unanswered questions. I knew exactly what to expect, and that made me trust them. Knowing the source of the money and understanding the steps they would follow helped me feel secure in the decision I made to participate. There is nothing however that I think could be changed in the program as I see it all good."