"Life has been very challenging, especially after the floods destroyed my farm, leaving me without any harvest. I used $300 from my transfer to buy one cow and two goats because I did not own any livestock before. Milk has been very expensive, costing $1 per liter, which is not even enough for drinking and making tea. By having my own cow, I will no longer have to buy milk, and in the future, I can sell some to earn extra income. The goats will also multiply and provide me with financial security in the long run. This investment gives me hope for a better future. I also spent $50 on school fees because I used to depend on my children who are employed, as well as county bursaries to support the payments. However, after the floods destroyed my farm, I lost my main source of income, making it difficult to afford school fees. Furthermore, I used $60 to buy food since we had nothing left to eat after the floods. Farming was my primary source of food, but with everything destroyed, I had to rely on this transfer to feed my family. Buying food gave me peace of mind because hunger had become a daily struggle. Now, my children and I can eat without worrying about where the next meal will come from. I also purchased a small water tank for $33 because when it rains, all the water goes to waste since I had no way to store it. Walking long distances to fetch water has always been exhausting, so having a tank will make my life much easier. Lastly, I bought bedsheets because, although I have a good mattress, I had no proper sheets to cover it. These small but essential things have improved my life in many ways. I have three children still at home, while the others are married, and I am a widow who depends solely on farming. Despite the challenges, I feel grateful for the support that has helped me regain stability."

"I was in my kiosk serving customers when I heard a message come through on my phone, but I ignored it since I was busy at the time. Then one of my customers mentioned she had received her transfer from GiveDirectly, which made me quickly check my phone, and to my delight, I had received mine as well! I was so happy but decided to keep the news to myself and continue working. I couldn’t wait to get home that evening and share the exciting news with my family."

"I hope to accomplish the goal of starting a business that will secure my family's future. with my husband unable to contribute as much due to his blindness, i know its up to me to create a stable foundation for us. Starting a business will not only provide financial stability, but also it will offer long-term security for my family. My goal is build something sustainable that will help us thrive and create a better future together."

"My house is a little old, made of mud, and I have always dreamed of having a better house made of bricks. This year, I have made a plan to join a SACCO and start saving a portion of my transfers from GiveDirectly there. My goal is to accumulate enough shares so that I can access a substantial loan. With this loan, I will be able to purchase the building materials I need to construct the house I have always wanted. As a mason, I will be able to use my expertise to cut down on the labor costs, which will significantly help in managing the expenses of building. I truly hope that by the end of this journey, I will have a beautiful, solid house for my family and me. This will bring me so much happiness and peace of mind. I am deeply grateful for the support I have been receiving from GiveDirectly—it has been a great help, and I feel encouraged and motivated to keep moving forward with my plans."

"I am happy that I managed to construct a one-room mud-wall house through the previous months’ transfers, giving me a place to call my own. Now, my next goal is to buy a modern standard bed and a mattress so that I can sleep well. Currently, I sleep on a small traditional bed that is uncomfortable, and every morning, I wake up feeling exhausted. A good bed will improve my sleep, giving me the energy to work harder and take better care of myself. To achieve this, I plan to save $10 a month until I have enough to buy the bed and the mattress. Step by step, I am building a better life for myself, and this next goal will bring me comfort and rest, allowing me to focus on bigger dreams in the future."

"In the coming year, my biggest goal is to build a new house because the one I live in now is very old and leaks whenever it rains. It has been my dream to have a strong and comfortable home for my family, and I have already started working towards it. I have been buying iron sheets bit by bit, and so far, I have managed to get five pieces. I plan to continue saving and purchasing more until I reach my target of 20 pieces. With determination and the support of GiveDirectly, I am confident that by the end of this year, I will have enough materials to start the construction. A new house will bring my family safety, comfort, and peace of mind, especially during the rainy season. Beyond this year, I hope to improve our home further, making it a place where my family can live happily without fear of storms and cold nights."

"As I look ahead to this coming year and beyond, I am determined to continue using a portion of the transfers I will receive from GiveDirectly to pay my children’s school fees, who are in secondary school, ensuring that they are able to continue their studies and eventually complete them. I also plan to start saving a portion of my transfers so that once I have saved enough, I am able to start a clothing business. It is a dream of mine, and I believe that with hard work, I can make it a reality. Once the business is up and running, I will be truly happy, as it will provide me with something to rely on after the program ends. My husband is a retired teacher, and although he receives a small pension, it is not enough to fully support our family. Together with the transfers from GiveDirectly and the small profits I will make from the business, we will be able to provide for our children’s education and meet our basic needs. I am incredibly grateful for the support I receive from GiveDirectly. It has made a significant difference in our lives, and I feel hopeful for the future."

"My aim was to ensure I had a project that I can depend on for my household's needs. This is because I currently do small casual jobs which attract little income. I decided to spend $78.1 of my recent transfer on farming, where I prepared my 1 acre piece of land and plant maize for household consumption. Also, I spent another $78.1 to buy two goats which will support my family in the future. On the other hand, I also bought household furniture which includes a mattress, a bed and a sofa set at a cost of $117.2. The remaining amount ($78.1) helped me to buy food for my family because I had no money to support them during the festival season of December."

"On the 12th of December 2024, a wave of joy washed over me as I finally received the much-anticipated funds. It felt as if a heavy weight had been lifted off my shoulders, and I couldn't contain my happiness. I was overwhelmed with gratitude, realizing how perfectly timed this support was. The funds arrived just when I needed them the most, offering a lifeline during a particularly challenging period in my life. I was filled with a sense of relief, knowing that this financial assistance would help me navigate through my problems and set me on a path toward stability and hope. It was a moment I would cherish, as it signified not just a solution to my immediate troubles, but also a renewed sense of possibility for the future."

"In the coming year, I plan to focus on managing the rental apartments I completed with Give Directly’s support. My goal is to have all the units fully occupied, generating a steady income to support my family’s needs. This includes covering tuition fees for my children, meeting daily household expenses, and ensuring we have reliable access to proper nutrition. Beyond this, I aim to use the rental income to create a sense of financial stability for my family. I also hope to reinvest some of the profits into future projects or savings to further secure our future. This achievement would mark a significant step toward self-sufficiency and long-term stability for my family."