"My primary goal is to join college by early next year. After completing my secondary school exams last year, my parents were unable to afford the fees for my college education. Determined to support myself, I took a job as a housemaid in the nearest town. Although the salary is very low, my focus is to save enough money to help my mother raise my sibling and fund my own education. To realize my dream of attending college, I have been diligently saving money from the cash transfers I received and my earnings. So far, I have managed to save $80, though I estimate I’ll need around $200 to cover my tuition and other expenses. I am hopeful that, with continued effort, I will achieve this goal in the coming months. My ultimate dream is to graduate, secure a good job, and provide greater support for my family back home. My siblings, who are still in primary school, depend on me, and I want to ensure they have the opportunities I’ve worked so hard to create for myself."

"The lack of sufficient funds in our household is making our lives complex. My wife is only a housewife, and I am a tour guide in the nearby resort. My job is occasional, and due to this, getting a constant income is hard, and we cannot plan and or budget for the little cash we get in a day. On average, I get approximately KES 4,000 a month, which is low compared to the recurrent household expenditures and hard economic times. My ambition has been to own fishing nets to do fishing in low seasons. Give Directly will become a beacon of hope in realizing my ambition and I am glad that soon it will come to pass."

"I currently have 7 goats, 7 ducks, and 6 chickens at home, which I consider valuable assets. I believe investing in goats is a wise decision because they multiply quickly. As my herd grows, I can easily sell some to help me achieve my dream of continuing my studies, graduating, and securing a well-paying job. For now, I’ve been relying on monthly cash transfers and support from my brother to pay my school fees. However, since the money is sometimes insufficient, I believe having these animals will provide a more reliable way to achieve my goals without as much struggle. Once I graduate, I’ll be able to pursue other dreams, such as building my own house and starting a family. Additionally, I’ll be in a better position to support my siblings and parents as they age."

"My primary goal remains unchanged: to continue buying goats and build a large herd by the time the program ends. Currently, I have a total of eight goats, but I aim to acquire more because they will benefit me in many ways. One of the main reasons is that they will help me pay school fees for my five children who are still in primary school, as well as ensure I can provide for their needs with ease. I plan to start saving a portion of the monthly transfers to make this dream a reality, especially now that I am without a job. By carefully planning and managing these funds, I am confident I can achieve this goal. This way, I will no longer have to struggle or suffer, even after the five years of the program come to an end."

"I currently have six goats, which were once more in number, but as a single mom, they have been a tremendous help, especially in paying school fees for my children. My plan is to expand my herd and increase it to at least twelve goats. I believe that by growing the herd, I will not only be able to manage school fees but also handle any unexpected needs that may arise in the future. Goats are a reliable source of income because they multiply quickly and can be sold when necessary. I plan to use part of my final transfer to purchase additional goats, as this will help secure a better future for my family."

"The officers were very friendly from the moment they arrived. They explained everything clearly, making sure we knew what was happening and why it was happening. It didn’t feel like they were just handing us money; they were offering us a lifeline, with respect and dignity. What really stood out to me was that they came to visit us at home. It wasn’t just a transaction over the phone or online; they took the time to meet us where we live, in our own space, and see firsthand the challenges we face. Their visit made all the difference, making us feel seen and heard. I do not see anything that needs to be changed in the program because I feel everything was done well."

"I want to build a house for my family because the house we are living in now is in bad shape—the roof is rusted, and the wooden posts have been eaten up by termites. It’s not a safe or comfortable place for us anymore.To make this dream come true, I will keep working on my farm. I grow vegetables and green grams, and once I harvest them, I will sell them to get some money. With that money, I plan to plough the farm and buy maize seeds from Kenya Seed. I will plant the maize, take good care of it, and wait for a good harvest. When I sell the maize, I hope to have enough money to finally build a house. I am thinking of a small but nice house with three rooms—enough for my wife, my two children, and me to live comfortably. This house will mean a lot to us, and I am determined to make it happen."

"When I received my unconditional cash transfer, I carefully planned how to use the money to improve my family’s life. First, I used $160 to buy two sheep because they multiply twice a year and are calm animals to keep. I see this as an important way to grow my assets and secure a future source of income. I also leased half an acre of land for $60 to plant maize in the next season. Farming is a crucial part of our livelihood, and I know this investment will pay off in the coming months. Additionally, I purchased a water container, two plastic seats, and a blanket for $53 and a plastic table for $13. These items were much-needed additions to my home and have made our living conditions more comfortable. Since my son had school fees arrears of $100 at his private school, I cleared that too. Education is my top priority, and settling the fees has brought me peace of mind. I also bought seat covers for $35 to keep the new seats clean and maintain them for the long term. The remainder of the money went to transport and lunches as I moved around to make these purchases and take care of daily needs. This transfer has been a blessing because it allowed me to balance urgent family needs with investments for the future. I now feel more secure and hopeful for what lies ahead."

"Next year, I have big plans that I hope will help me and my family. You see, I’ve already leased seven acres of land, and I want to plant maize on it. I’ve decided to work with Kenya Seed for the seeds because their prices are better compared to other commercial farms. To make this plan a reality, I will need some money. I plan to raise it by selling the beans and green grams I’ve been growing. With that money, I will be able to plough and plant the land properly. My hope is to get a good harvest from the maize. If all goes well, I will use the earnings to pay school fees for my three children, who are all in high school. This is what I want to achieve, and I’m determined to make it work."

"My son is in Form Three, and his school fees arrears were weighing heavily on me. I knew that if I didn’t clear them, he wouldn’t be allowed to register for his Form Four exams next year. I had nothing left to sell, no way to raise the money, and everything felt like it was falling apart. So, I decided that the first priority was clearing those arrears and I used $300 from the transfer. Before, we used to eat just one meal a day to stretch what little we had. With part of the money, I bought two bags of maize for $70. That maize has been a blessing—we now eat two meals a day. It might not seem like much to some, but to us, it’s everything. The energy and strength to face each day have returned, and I see my children smiling more often. I spent $30 on clothes for my children because I wanted them to look presentable and feel good about themselves. For my wife and me, I set aside $40 for clothes. It had been years since we bought anything new to wear. Lastly, I used $10 to buy drugs for my goats. They are a critical source of livelihood for us, and I couldn’t risk losing them to illness. This money came when I needed it most and helped me in ways I never thought possible."