"Receiving my transfers was a pivotal moment that allowed me to transform my living situation completely. I decided to invest the entirety of the funds in constructing a new two-room house for myself. Before this, I lived in an outdated, grass-thatched house, and I yearned for a better quality of life. Farming is my primary source of income, and while it sustains me, it does not always leave room for substantial savings or allocate funds for this new house. However, the impact of those transfers cannot be overstated. They were the catalyst for a life-changing improvement. The ability to move from an outdated dwelling to a new, more comfortable home is a testament to the significance of that support. I am immensely grateful that those transfers came at a crucial time and made a lasting difference in improving the quality of life for me and my family."

"It is incredible how much of a difference GiveDirectly has made in our lives. Their assistance has enabled us to achieve what seemed unattainable before. Personally, I would not have been able to fence my farm without their support. I am genuinely grateful that their assistance came through when it was most needed. However, I do have a wish for the organization. I believe that adding more transfers or extending the support could help accomplish other essential tasks or projects. There are always more aspirations and needs within the community that could benefit from their assistance. Expanding the support could further uplift and empower individuals to achieve their goals and improve their livelihoods."

"Venturing into extensive farming is my goal for the upcoming year. I see this as a pivotal step towards not only providing income for myself but also securing sufficient food for my needs. My plan is to use the profits generated from the farm proceeds to make this ambition a reality. I believe that extensive farming holds the potential to significantly improve my livelihood. By wisely investing the profits back into the farm, I aim to expand its capacity and diversify the crops or livestock, enabling me to generate more income and ensure food security for myself. This venture represents a pathway to greater self-sustainability and a step towards a more stable and prosperous future. I am excited about the possibilities it holds and committed to putting in the effort needed to make this farming venture successful in the coming year."

"Receiving the transfers marked a turning point in my life. With the transfers, I dedicated myself to completing a dream that had lingered for too long: building a sturdy 2-room iron-walled house to comfortably accommodate my family of five. I spent $200 on this. Previously, we resided in a small, mud-walled house that constantly demanded repairs, causing undue stress and strain. Dependent on casual jobs where I earn $2.5 daily, every cent goes towards ensuring there is food on our table, leaving nearly nothing to save for improving our living conditions. Therefore, the transfers became the beacon of hope I needed. I allocated $85 to repay debts, freeing myself from burdens that held me back. Another $45 was invested in securing food for my family, a fundamental necessity. Additionally, $120 was set aside to fence our farm, a step towards securing our livelihoods. This was an investment in our future, ensuring that our efforts in farming would yield better returns. The transfers, although seemingly monetary, were the catalysts that transformed dreams into reality. They allowed me to build a home, ease financial strains, and invest in our family's future. For the first time, I can say that the path ahead looks brighter, and I am immensely grateful for this opportunity."

"Paying my son's university fees has been a constant struggle with the limited income from subsistence farming. Depending on casual labor and occasional charcoal burning, which has become challenging due to forest restrictions, made it tough to cover bills, especially school fees. The relief came with the first transfer from GiveDirectly, enabling me to pay $100 towards my son's education. He was thrilled that his semester was not cut short due to lack of tuition fees. Additionally, I invested $70 in preparing my farm for planting, covering expenses for both tractor and harrowing. Another $30 went into buying bean seeds, supplemented by my savings. The flourishing farm brings me joy, and I look forward to contributing to school fees once the January harvest arrives. This support has truly made a positive impact on my family's education and farming endeavors."

"After receiving the initial transfer from GiveDirectly, I had several plans, and my immediate focus was obtaining construction materials. I started by purchasing 8 iron sheets, nails, and a window, totaling $110, to expand my current house. The materials were quickly put to use, addressing the issue of space as the previous house was too small to accommodate a bed and a better seat. Additionally, I invested $35 in a sofa set, replacing the plastic chairs and creating a more welcoming space for visitors. Another significant improvement was repairing my motorbike, essential for my taxi business. With $40 spent on new spare parts, I am now back in the taxi business, my primary income source alongside subsistence farming. The remaining funds were wisely used to settle construction charges, totaling $15 after combining them with my modest savings. This support from GiveDirectly has brought tangible enhancements to my living conditions and reinvigorated my economic activities."

"My objective continues to be to guide my son through his college studies and ensure he successfully completes the program. Financing his education has been a persistent challenge, but the recent transfers have significantly alleviated the financial burden, making it more manageable. As a subsistence farmer, receiving this financial support has been a substantial boost and relief for us. I am committed to consistently clearing his tuition fees to prevent any interruptions in my son's education due to financial constraints."

"My goals are to get a job and keep paying my kids' school fees now that I have built them a house and paid off all of their outstanding debts. I am also hopeful that the high-breed Borana goats I purchased will breed well as expected, allowing me to trade them for cows and carry on with livestock farming in a few years. Eventually, I hope to be able to sell some of the goats, which will help support my family and grow over time."

"My primary objective is to provide a comfortable education for all of my children, supporting them through university. I take pride in the progress I have achieved in my life, and the prospect of witnessing each of them successfully complete their education fills me with immense joy. My plan is to utilize future transfers to continue working towards this goal. The pursuit of educating my children brings me great pride, and I am committed to realizing this aspiration."

"As a housewife, my main responsibility is taking care of our six children and cultivating our farm during the rainy season. While my husband bears the heavy burden of providing for the family with his income as a security guard, it's often not enough to cover all our needs. My goal is to establish an additional source of income that can continue generating funds even after the cash transfers end. I aspire to start a vegetable-selling business when the opportunity arises, confident that it will bring in profits to handle emergency school needs for my children."