"My wife has been admitted at the hospital for the past three weeks. She has a stomach problem. It's a challenge raising about $200 for her medication. She also needs someone to take care of her at the hospital, in addition to food. It has been difficult raising the finances for her medication, I've sold livestock. I'd also want to ask the community members to help raise some money. It has affected our ability to engage in normal life activities such as grazing livestock or supporting our children's education needs."

"In the upcoming year, my goal is to purchase more goats and expand my small herd into a valuable investment for the future. A goat costs around $50, so I plan to save a little each month from my GiveDirectly transfers until I can afford one. Each goat I acquire will bring me closer to establishing a sustainable source of income for my family. These goats will provide offspring, which I can sell to cover our daily needs and unexpected expenses. Eventually, I plan to grow the herd, creating a safety net for the future. This will provide something to rely on during tough times."

"Looking ahead, my primary goal is to invest in planting green grams. Given the limited water supply from the river, large-scale farming isn't an option for us, but green grams are ideal because they need minimal water and grow quickly, taking about two months to be ready for harvest. My plan is to use the next transfer to plant and care for the green grams until they’re ready for harvest. After selling the crop, I aim to use the profits to buy goats, which will provide an additional source of income for my family. I also want to make sure I can pay my child's school fees with the earnings. This approach will help us secure both a better livelihood and a brighter future for my child."

"In the coming years, my plan is to lease land and continue farming, focusing on growing green grams. Around the middle of the year, we usually plant maize, as regulated by the Kenya Seed Board. However, after that, we are free to plant whatever we choose on our lands. For me, I want to dedicate my time and resources to green grams, which I believe will do well. Additionally, when I receive the next transfer, I plan to invest in poultry rearing. Selling chickens will provide extra income to manage my farm and help me complete projects like constructing an entry gate for my compound. I have a deep passion for farming, and these investments will help me grow and secure a better future for my family."

"I have a solid plan to invest in livestock to secure a better future for my family. Currently, I own four goats, which I purchased with GiveDirectly transfers, and I plan to buy more because they are highly marketable. I also have seven ducks; though initially they were ten, but three unfortunately died. These were also bought with GD transfers. Before, we struggled significantly and could only buy clothes once a year, but now we can afford to look smart and buy a few essentials. My spouse has purchased three cows with his own money, which adds to our livestock. I have four children, one of whom will be transitioning to secondary school next year. I believe that my goats will help support my children once the transfers come to an end. My strategy is to allow my livestock to multiply so I can sell some if financial challenges arise. As my ducks increase in number, I can also trade some for more goats, further diversifying our livestock. While expanding my holdings is important, my first priority remains fulfilling my family responsibilities. I am committed to saving diligently to continue investing in livestock, as this aligns with my dream of providing a better life for my family and building a stable, prosperous future for us all."

"I finished tailoring school last December. After completing eighth grade, I faced financial constraints that prevented me from attending high school. Fortunately, GiveDirectly's monthly transfers allowed me to enroll in tailoring school and acquire essential skills. With this support, I was able to open my own tailoring shop and purchase a sewing machine. I’m grateful for the opportunity to run my own business thanks to GiveDirectly. I believe the quality of my work will continue to attract more customers. The income from my business helps support both myself and my family. My ambition is to improve our quality of life and raise our living standards through this enterprise. Now that my business is doing well, I plan to open a salon for my sister, who will finish secondary school in December. I’ve been saving part of my GiveDirectly transfers in our savings group to fund this project. She has a talent for hairstyling and is eager to pursue her passion. This salon will not only help her save for college but also provide me with additional income to support my younger siblings in their education."

"I completed my Form Four studies and am eager to pursue my passion for becoming a laboratory technician in college. Before enrolling, I need to save enough money, as my parents are unable to support my college fees, so I must find ways to fund my education. I initially thought about taking a loan to buy a motorbike and using part of my saved transfer to lease it out for income. However, after researching, I realized that purchasing a motorbike is quite expensive. Now, I plan to invest part of my transfers to open a second-hand clothing business, which will provide me with income while I continue saving for college. I’m confident this plan will give me a reliable source of funds for my tuition. Additionally, I intend to save part of my transfer to buy goats, knowing they will multiply, allowing me to sell some to help support my education."

"I aspire to expand our home into a three-room house. Currently, we live in a two-room house, with one room serving as our living area. My goal is to create two separate bedrooms, providing my children with their own space for privacy and comfort. My daughter, who is now grown, lives with her grandmother, and I’m eager for her to return so we can all live together as one big family. To make this happen, I’m part of a merry-go-round group where we save collectively for future projects. When it’s my turn to receive the funds, I plan to purchase the necessary materials first and then call the builder to start the work. My husband, who works as a motorcycle driver, will also help. Together, we aim to create a more spacious and comfortable living environment for our family's well-being and unity."

"As a mother of five, I prioritize my children’s education above all. To ensure a sustainable income, I’ve decided to invest part of my transfer in livestock, specifically goats, which are easy to breed. Thanks to support from GiveDirectly, I can now purchase these goats. My plan is to gradually expand my livestock holdings to include cows as well. This strategy will provide a stable income and enhance my ability to support my children’s education in the long run. Additionally, I aim to expand our one-room house into a two-room home. My children need their own space as they grow into adulthood. To achieve this, I’ve been saving part of my transfer in our merry-go-round group. When it’s my turn to withdraw, I’ll use those savings to buy iron sheets, making my dream a reality in the coming year."

"I am a businessman who purchases animals from local villages at lower prices and sells them at a profit in the markets. I am pleased with how my business is progressing, and I plan to save $50 from my profits each month in a savings and credit cooperative (SACCO) that I joined to prepare for my children's education as they advance to higher levels in the future. To support this goal, I intend to open a roadside business for my wife, allowing her to use the profits to help meet our daily needs while I save from my own business. I plan to combine the transfers I receive from GiveDirectly with a portion of my business profits to start this venture for her. This strategy will help balance our earnings while still allowing us to save for our children's education. Additionally, I plan to continue buying goats with a portion of the transfers. My hope is that they will multiply, enabling me to sell the males in the future while keeping the females for continued reproduction, thus saving the proceeds for my children's education. I am grateful for the support that GiveDirectly is providing us, and I remain optimistic that my children will continue their education as I make proper plans for their future."