"Once I finish my studies, my goal is to set up my own tailoring shop. I have set my sights on purchasing a sewing machine, which I have discovered costs around $200 or more. Determined to achieve this, I intend to save diligently from my transfers until I can afford a quality machine. I plan to make gradual payments to clear any remaining debt, while using my savings to buy essential materials like fabric and needles. My business will focus on creating dresses, uniforms, and other fabric items, aiming to enhance not only my life but also that of my family. This venture represents a significant step towards securing a better future for us all."

"I produce and sell charcoal. Right now, I own twenty chickens, four goats, two cows, and four sheep. Seeing my business struggle, I took time to think and concluded that investing more in poultry and livestock is the best move. I see it as a smarter choice than holding onto cash, which could easily be spent on ongoing expenses. Animals can easily multiply and I can sell them when I encounter difficulties, providing a more stable finance for my family."

"My primary challenge lies in acquiring funds to lease land for irrigation, which is essential for agricultural productivity to secure food for my family. Income generated from farming would not only fulfill our food requirements but also enable us to address other critical expenses such as constructing a house, purchasing clothes, and acquiring necessary household items. Currently, the KES 1,500 earned weekly from charcoal production is insufficient to meet the basic needs of my family of 4. This income shortfall underscores the urgency of finding sustainable solutions to enhance our financial stability and improve our quality of life."

"My family lacks a stable income and relies on charcoal burning which does not cover all the food expenses for my family of 7. We're struggling to afford school fees for my secondary school child and materials for my other children in primary school. Additionally, my son has been hospitalized for nearly 8 months now, and we're facing difficulties in financing his medical treatment."

"I have always dreamed of owning my own piece of land where my family and I can live, and thanks to the transfers I received from GiveDirectly, this dream has become a reality. With the support from GiveDirectly, I was able to purchase an acre of land and I am currently in the process of building a new house there. My goal now is to complete the construction of this house using my own financial resources. I am grateful for the assistance from GiveDirectly which has made a significant impact on this project. In addition to building my house, I have also started a business buying and selling cashew nuts with the second transfer I received. My aim is to expand this business as it has proven to be profitable, allowing me to earn around $5 on a good day. This business has provided me with a more stable source of income compared to my previous work as a casual laborer on other people's farms, making it easier for me to meet my needs."

"I'm grateful to GiveDirectly and feel fortunate to be part of their program, which has significantly improved my life, especially in my daily business as a businessman. I used to only collect milk from local farmers and supply it to people in the village using my motorbike. While this business provided a good income, it wasn't enough to adequately support my family. My two wives also worked in low-paying jobs, but their help ensured that all ten of our children were able to attend school. I used a portion of the transfer and bought sardines which I am currently selling alongside the milk, and I am glad that this has increased my earnings too. Additionally, I also wanted to expand my income streams, so I invested the remaining amount in facilitating the construction of four temporary rental units on a piece of land that I own near a high school. Once these units are completed, I'm confident that I'll earn rental income by accommodating students looking to live outside school."

"After years of relying on subsistence farming for household consumption with no additional income, I aspired to start a business but lacked the capital to do so. However, with the first transfer I received, I was able to kickstart a poultry project, in which I intend to invest more of the transfer. My aim is to establish a reliable source of income to support the education of my two young children in primary school. Currently, I have over 20 birds and plan to breed them, multiply the flock, and sell them for profit. I also intend to use the income from poultry sales to set up a shop business, diversifying my livelihood beyond subsistence farming. Additionally, I purchased enough chicken feed for the project. Furthermore, I replaced my old, uncomfortable mattress with a new one for $280, and I now sleep soundly on it. The remaining was spent on purchasing foodstuffs and other essential household items that were lacking in my household."

"My main goal is to buy new bedding, particularly mattresses. The one I currently have is worn out, causing me considerable discomfort and pain every night. My ultimate wish is to sleep comfortably and wake up refreshed without nagging pains. Therefore, my priority for the upcoming transfer is to save up and achieve this goal. I believe investing in good-quality bedding will significantly improve my quality of life and overall well-being. By prioritizing this purchase, I aim to create a more conducive environment for rest and recovery, which is essential for my health and daily productivity. I look forward to the day when I can finally enjoy a peaceful night's sleep and bid farewell to the discomfort that has plagued me for so long."

"For now, the dream that I have been thinking of is to grow my herd by consistently acquiring more goats. As of now, I own two goats, and I intend to use my transfers to acquire additional ones. Owning goats is beneficial as they can be readily sold to cover fees or handle unexpected expenses. Once I have many of them, I will no longer have to struggle to fulfill my needs like before. I believe that by expanding my herd, I can create a more stable and secure future for myself and my family. This goal keeps me motivated, and I am determined to see it through in the coming year and beyond."

"My house is not spacious enough to accommodate my ten children. As a result, they are forced to seek shelter from neighbors. I have always hoped to build a house for them because I was not at peace seeing them going through this trouble every night. I had previously saved some money from my tailoring business, which enabled me to start building a house for them. The construction stalled for a very long time and eventually was caught up by the recent heavy rains and collapsed. I was very much disappointed because this meant that I had to save up again to be able to build again. I am, however, grateful that my plan of building the house was revived upon receiving my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I spent $210 on buying the necessary building materials, which include 16 iron sheets, nails, and building poles. I am hoping to start the construction soon. I am glad that my children will not have any trouble on where to stay once this house is complete. Additionally, I purchased a new mattress for them and replaced their old and worn-out bedding that they have been using. We also have some rental rooms in town which were not in good condition. The roof was carried away by the recent storms and required immediate repair to retain the tenants. I thus added $105 to my husband's savings and renovated the houses. I finally spent the remaining amount to buy food for my family, pay fees for my children, and purchase some household items that I lacked, such as utensils and two chairs."