"Over the past 12 months, I worked at a mining quarry until it closed down officially three months ago. The closure of the quarry left us without jobs, and now I rely solely on a charcoal-burning business to support my family. However, this work is very physically demanding and can be harmful to my lungs, potentially reducing my lifespan. Besides the health concerns, it's also difficult to find customers to buy the charcoal, which sometimes results in my family going to bed hungry. I am deeply concerned about providing for my family of five."

"I used a significant portion of the money I received to revitalize my struggling shop business. Previously, I had limited stock, and customers often left disappointed when they couldn't find what they needed. With $300, I diversified my inventory, adding household items, food, and school supplies. This investment paid off as my shop now attracts many customers. I even opened a bank account to start saving from the shop's earnings. Besides the shop, I'm also working on building a new, more spacious house. My current home, made of palm tree leaves, is not durable and doesn't provide enough space for my family. Therefore, I used the rest of the money to buy 15 iron sheets and building poles to start the construction of a new iron-roofed house."

"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 preparing lunch at around 3 p.m. when I heard my phone beep. I checked it and saw a message confirming that the money from GiveDirectly had come through. I couldn't believe it at first and I told my mother, who was sitting there with me, Her face lit up instantly, and we both just stood there, smiling and filled with joy. The first thought that came to my mind was that we could finally build the new house we'd always dreamed of. It felt like a huge burden had been lifted."

"First, I used $160 to buy building posts and $200 for 20 iron sheets. These materials were essential because we had been planning to construct a new house because the roof of our current home, which was made of palm leaves, would leak every time it rained. I also set aside $20 for roofing and construction nails and another $30 for other roofing accessories, knowing these items would complete the roof. In addition to improving our home, I also took care of my daughter’s education who is in Grade 6, and I haven’t been able to pay her school fees this term. With $50, I was able to clear part of her fees, ensuring she stayed in school and wasn’t sent home to collect unpaid dues. Lastly, I used $90 to buy household food items like maize flour and beans. This was critical because, while I continued selling traditional brew to make ends meet, I needed to ensure we had enough food for the family. This allowed us to stay food secure while I focused on growing my income."

"I've finally been able to start building a decent two-room mud house after struggling with shelter for many years. The old house I was living in was in terrible shape. It was a small mud house with a roof made of palm tree leaves, which had deteriorated over time, causing it to leak whenever it rained. The walls had also weakened and were on the verge of collapsing, and I didn't have the means to renovate them. Back in the village, I used to sell local palm wine, but it didn't bring in enough money to fix or build a new house. However, thanks to the transfer, I was able to prioritize building a new house. I could afford to buy the necessary building materials, including 32 pieces of iron sheets, building poles, and timber. I'm now constructing a decent house with an iron roof, which is a significant achievement for me as I couldn't have afforded to do it on my own. Building this new house has made the most significant impact on my daily life."

"I've finally been able to start building a decent two-room mud house after struggling with shelter for many years. The old house I was living in was in terrible shape. It was a small mud house with a roof made of palm tree leaves, which had deteriorated over time, causing it to leak whenever it rained. The walls had also weakened and were on the verge of collapsing, and I didn't have the means to renovate them. Back in the village, I used to sell local palm wine, but it didn't bring in enough money to fix or build a new house. However, thanks to the transfer, I was able to prioritize building a new house. I could afford to buy the necessary building materials, including 32 pieces of iron sheets, building poles, and timber. I'm now constructing a decent house with an iron roof, which is a significant achievement for me as I couldn't have afforded to do it on my own. Building this new house has made the most significant impact on my daily life."

"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."

"My main focus is to make sure my kids get a good education, so I consistently set aside part of my income for their schooling. I also want to ensure they have nutritious meals because it's important for their well-being. I plan to use some of my income to expand my livestock, including chickens and goats, and take good care of them so that they can multiply. This investment will serve as a future source of income to support my children's education. Ultimately, my children's well-being depends on having access to food and education, and making sure these needs are met brings me great joy. Additionally, I want to maintain my poultry and goat projects as they are essential for my future financial stability. The income support I receive will end in about five years, so I need to invest wisely to avoid falling back into the level of poverty I was in before."