"Setting up a shop is my ultimate goal, as it would provide a comfortable platform for selling my products. With a dedicated shop, I could maintain a consistent supply of goods, leading to increased profits and ensuring my sustainability. While this remains my goal, the constraints of limited transfers have posed a challenge to its realization. Nonetheless, I remain optimistic that through diligently saving my transfers, I will eventually achieve this milestone. I am deeply grateful for the assistance I have received this far, which has propelled me towards fulfilling my dreams."

"Having spent my entire life living in a mud-walled, grass-thatched house, my biggest dream has been to upgrade it to a modern stone-walled one. As I look ahead to the coming year, my main goal is to fully complete the renovation of my home. To realize this dream, I am committed to utilizing both my transfers and my husband's income. For me, accomplishing this goal represents a lasting legacy, going beyond the conclusion of the project. I am deeply grateful and filled with immense happiness for the changes that have happened in my life, all thanks to GiveDirectly."

"I am currently residing in a temporary and unstable shelter, but my ultimate goal is to have a permanent house. To achieve this, I plan to add the transfers I receive to my savings and use the funds to purchase necessary building materials. Specifically, I am aiming to purchase 30 iron sheets and bricks to facilitate the construction process. Not only will having a decent house improve my living standards, but it will also enhance my status and dignity. I am always worried about heavy rainfall, but having a permanent house will alleviate this challenge. My hope is to achieve this goal with the help of the monthly transfers."

"Givedirectly transfers give you a chance to see life in a different way and build yourself from ground up. I am a father of four, two school going children while two are yet to join school. I am a fisherman during the rains and charcoal seller during the dry periods. My wife is a farmer. I make below $3 daily from any of the ventures I am involved, if I am lucky. This means I am unable to cover all the financial needs in my house. I would want to build on the animals I own so they are able to reproduce and make me enough money to get my children through school. The Givedirectly transfers allow me to own animals which I breed for reproduction."

"I lost my job during the COVID-19 pandemic, and since then, I have been struggling to make ends meet. I have been taking up random jobs that are unreliable and hard to find. To overcome my financial challenges, I started keeping poultry. I currently have over 30 birds, which I have been selling to pay for my six children's fees. My goal is to invest more in this project, buy more chickens, and add to the existing ones. I rely on the monthly transfers to buy chicken feed and treat my chickens against diseases. I also plan to sell some of my chickens soon and use the money to buy some goats to add to my existing three goats. Owning livestock is a good investment and an excellent source of income because, whenever I fail to secure menial jobs, I can always depend on my livestock to help me settle my financial needs and educate my children."

"Raising my family as a single parent has never been easy at all. I totally rely on casual work to earn a living and put food on the table. I am paid KES 300 daily which is drop in an ocean compared to our family needs. We are living the life on hand to mouth, no savings neither investment. I am even worried that when we are faced with major problem like sickness, I will have nothing to run to."

"We are currently struggling to pay school fees for our daughter Saingo Satina in Lowlands secondary school. Charcoal burning being our main source of family income and this disadvantage us because of our old age. This job needs someone energetic and young. We end up earning little money to support ourselves and meet family needs. Housing is also another big challenge for us, we share one grass thatched house with my children which is embarrassing."

"The condition of my current house is far from ideal, with the second-hand iron sheets used in its construction now rusted and prone to leaking during rainfall. Over the years, sections of the roof have become detached from their holding nails, causing disruptive flapping noises during strong winds and rendering the house inhospitable. To remedy this situation, I am determined to construct a new house before the year concludes. This goal is feasible through the savings accrued from the merry-go-round I joined last year, facilitated by the GiveDirectly funds. Contributing $10 monthly to this group, consisting of 24 members, I anticipate receiving a lump sum of $240. This amount will significantly contribute towards procuring essential materials, particularly the iron sheets necessary for roofing. However, considering that I will need approximately 30 iron sheets, each costing $11, I recognize the need for additional savings or alternative funding sources to fully realize this objective. It is evident that achieving this goal will require diligent saving efforts or exploring supplementary financial avenues."

"I am eager to embark on a substantial investment venture by acquiring livestock. Investing in livestock presents a promising opportunity to generate wealth, as they have the capacity to multiply within a relatively short timeframe. At present, I have acquired eight goats using funds from the transfers, a development that brings me great satisfaction. I am appreciative of the financial assistance provided by Give Directly, which has facilitated this endeavor."

"I have a total of six children, yet only three are currently enrolled in school. Despite the remaining three reaching the required school-going age, financial constraints have impeded their enrollment. The cost of purchasing the necessary school items, particularly for new enrollments is too costly for me. To prevent any further delay in their education, I am determined to utilize the subsequent transfers to enroll them in school. If unable to enroll all simultaneously, I will prioritize enrollment based on age, beginning with the eldest, who is currently seven years old. Once all my children are enrolled in school, I will redirect my focus towards expanding my poultry stock. Given their affordability relative to my income level, chickens represent a viable investment opportunity. As my poultry holdings increase in number, I plan to transition towards acquiring larger livestock through strategic trading initiatives. This progressive approach to investment aims to enhance our financial stability while concurrently fostering the educational advancement of my children."