"My main goal in the coming year and beyond is to prioritize the education of my children. I believe that ensuring they receive a good education will provide them with a brighter future. I plan to use a portion of my transfers to pay their school fees consistently, making sure that they don’t owe any money to their school and can focus on their studies without any financial interruptions. I am deeply grateful for the financial support that is enabling me to invest in my children’s education and meet some of our family’s urgent needs. Thank you for this opportunity to improve our lives and secure a better future for my children."

"On the housing front, I have managed to buy 22 pieces of new iron sheets. My long-term goal is to build a new, two-roomed house. Our current home is cramped and lacks enough space for our family of four. A bigger house will provide the comfort and space we need. With the iron sheets already in place, my next step is to purchase building poles, nails, and sisal twine ropes. I plan to save a portion of the money from future transfers to buy these materials bit by bit until I have everything needed for the construction. I am genuinely grateful for the financial support, which is not only helping me meet my family’s immediate needs but also bringing me closer to my long-term goals of providing a better and more comfortable living environment for my family."

"My long-term goal is to build a sturdy stone-walled house for my family. The new home will provide a sense of safety and security, as it will be able to withstand the harsh weather conditions common in our village. I won’t have to live in constant fear of the house collapsing again. To get started, I have already purchased a lorry of sand for $70. Moving forward, I plan to save a portion of my future transfers to buy two more lorries of building stones. Each step brings me closer to realizing this dream, and I am truly grateful for the financial support that is helping me move toward these goals, especially given my limited financial capacity."

"My goal for the coming year is to build a larger, more spacious, and durable house that can comfortably accommodate all five members of my family. I have outlined a step-by-step plan to achieve this, focusing on using a portion of my transfers each month to buy the necessary building materials. So far, with the support of my husband, we have managed to purchase a lorry of stones for $70. However, we still need more stones and additional materials to complete the two-roomed house. I intend to save a portion of my future transfers and gradually buy the remaining materials bit by bit until we have everything required for the construction. I am incredibly grateful for the financial support, which is helping us make progress toward our dream despite the financial challenges we face. This new home will provide our family with more space and security, and I’m eager to see it become a reality."

"I have two children currently in high school, and I have made an excellent effort to clear their fee arrears on time to ensure that their studies remain uninterrupted. Receiving the transfer was a huge relief because it allowed me to pay my their fees on time, making it easier for them to access education without a struggle. My job as a mason, which has always been helpful in ensuring that I can adequately provide for my family, was becoming unreliable. Sometimes, I could go for weeks without securing a job, which threatened my children's education. I paid $350 from my transfer towards my children's fees, and I am assured that they will stay in school even when I do not secure a job or unable to raise the fees on time."

"The biggest difference in my daily life is knowing that in a few months, I will be sleeping in a decent house. For years, I dreamed of owning a better home, but financial constraints prevented me from even affording the materials needed for renovations. The original house was thatched with grass and far too small to accommodate all five of us. Worse still, during the rainy seasons, we would get soaked until the rain stopped. Furthermore, there was also no privacy, as the house had only one room. Now, as my new house nears completion, I feel a sense of relief knowing there will be enough space and privacy. I will have my room, and my child will have theirs. As a parent, this will restore both my dignity and happiness, as I had always felt I was letting my child down. Soon, my children will finally experience the peace and comfort they have been longing for."

"I run a small shop in the village, and most of my time is spent serving customers. While I was in the shop, I got a message on my phone, and when I checked, I saw it was an Mpesa notification. As I read the message, I felt an overwhelming joy because it was my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I expressed my gratitude to them and started planning how to use the money to improve my struggling business."

"I was at home in the afternoon with my family, chatting after having our lunch, when I received a notification on my phone. Upon checking the message to confirm receipt, I realized it was an M-Pesa message. Reading further, I was overjoyed to learn that it was my first transfer from GiveDirectly. The thought that I could now build a new house increased my joy even more, and I thanked them for their assistance."

"My current business involves producing and selling charcoal, but my ultimate aim is to save enough money to transition into selling vegetables. I envision establishing my own venture where I can offer a variety of produce such as tomatoes, kales, carrots, and other groceries. As a widow with the sole responsibility of caring for my children, this shift into vegetable sales is not just a business endeavor but a means of securing a steady income to support my family. Venturing into vegetable sales will not only diversify my income sources but also provide nutritious food options for my community. I am resolute in ensuring the success of this business, as it signifies an opportunity to enhance our quality of life and build a sustainable future for my children."

"I acquired five goats through GiveDirectly transfers and also joined a merry-go-round group where we contribute money every month for future financial security. With the contributions, I decided to invest in poultry farming and purchase more goats. This project gives me confidence that I will not go back to where I was before GiveDirectly came, as I now have assets. In the coming years, I hope to open my own salon business. Currently, I am employed but paid in terms of commission, so having my own salon will provide me with a more stable income to support my family and my child. To achieve this goal, I am saving part of my transfer every month in our merry-go-round group. Once I have accumulated at least $500, which is the required amount to start a salon business, then I will move out and look for a business house to establish my salon."