"After receiving the transfers, my primary focus was to start my own business. For a long time, I had dreamed of owning a motorcycle to transport people and goods, as this is a popular and profitable venture in my village. Previously, I relied on borrowing motorcycles from friends whenever they were free, but this was unsustainable. The earnings I made were minimal since I always had to return the motorcycle to its owner and could only work for limited hours. With the transfer, I spent $500 to purchase my own motorcycle, which has already transformed my daily income. With the remaining $50, I prioritized my family’s nutritional needs, buying a sack of maize and five kilograms of beans to ensure we had enough food at home and could avoid borrowing."

"The biggest difference in my life has been the financial stability and independence I’ve gained. Owning my motorcycle has enabled me to work full-time and bring home money consistently, even on slow business days. This has allowed me to provide for my family without the constant worry of how to make ends meet. My family is now more secure, with food available at home and the ability to meet our basic needs. The freedom to focus on growing my business and improving our living conditions has been life-changing. Before this, I often came home empty-handed, but now I can return each day with something tangible to show for my work."

"In the coming year and beyond, I have two key projects that I’m excited to pursue. My long-standing passion for masonry, inspired by my father’s dedication to the craft, has motivated me to seek formal training. I plan to enroll in a college to earn a Certificate that will qualify me for professional opportunities in masonry. To fund this, I will allocate a portion of my monthly savings toward my education.Additionally, I initially planned to start a business for my wife. However, she is currently facing stomach complications and has temporarily relocated to her parents' home for treatment. For now, my focus is on supporting her and working towards joining college. Relying on a single source of income can be challenging, especially with job availability being inconsistent and our siblings and parents also depending on our support. Therefore, the business idea is still on my mind, and once my wife recovers, we will pick it up again. By establishing a family business, we aim to supplement our income and improve our financial stability."

"I currently burn and sell charcoal to support my spouse, who is a carpenter, as we work together to support our four children. During the rainy season, we also engage in small-scale farming to provide food for our family. I want to invest my transfers wisely before they come to an end, as time is passing quickly. In the coming year and beyond, my goal is to buy a bed and a mattres for my children. The bed they currently use is too small to accommodate all four of them, so they have to squeeze together as best as they can. This situation is temporary as we search for a better solution. As they grow older, I know they will need more space, which is why I want to use my savings to buy a larger bed and a mattress to ensure they can sleep comfortably. At times, they rotate, with some sleeping on the mat while others sleep on the bed, which is very uncomfortable.I believe that with the support from my merry-go-round savings group, I will be able to achieve this goal. This will allow my children to sleep more comfortably, without the need to wait for their father to leave so they can use the bed. It is distressing for me to see them uncomfortable, and I am hopeful that this change will provide them with the comfort they deserve."

"I currently live in a small two-room house made of mud, with an old iron sheet roof that has developed holes. The rooms are cramped and do not comfortably accommodate my four children and me, but we have been enduring this situation since we have no other option. With the rains now here, I am concerned that the walls may collapse as they have become very weak. Given these challenges, my immediate goal for the coming year and beyond is to build a spacious two-room house that will provide enough space for my family to live comfortably. To achieve this, I am part of a merry-go-round savings group where I save $20 every month. When it is my turn to receive the funds, I plan to use the money to buy the necessary building materials. Once I have enough materials, according to the builder’s requirements, we will begin construction. Additionally, I have decided to save part of my income from my vegetable business to help speed up this process. I envision that once the house is completed, it will create a better living environment for my family, bringing happiness, a greater sense of belonging, and security."

"In the coming year and beyond, my main goal is to invest in livestock farming. Due to the high prices of goats during the Christmas season, as many people buy them for slaughter, I’ve decided to start with chicken rearing as a more feasible option. I currently have 12 chickens, and they are multiplying. Once I have enough chickens, I plan to sell them and reinvest the profits into purchasing a female goat. I intend to use part of my transfer, along with the income from selling chickens, to invest in goats. I see this as a reliable investment since goats multiply quickly and are more drought-resistant than other animals, making me confident that this project will succeed. This investment will help me address future financial needs, such as paying school fees, as I can sell the goats’ offspring once they have multiplied to cover such costs and handle unforeseen emergencies. By diversifying my sources of income through this venture, I hope to build a stable financial foundation for my family’s future. Investing in livestock farming will provide a steady income, allowing me to manage school fees and deal with any unexpected challenges."

"In the coming year and beyond, I have two key projects I am determined to establish. First, I aim to open my own hotel business to generate a stable income that will support my children and family. To work toward this goal, I joined a merry-go-round group where I save $20 each month, with the expectation that by December, it will be my turn to receive my savings. I currently live in Mombasa after separating from my spouse, and I moved here seeking employment. I am now working at a hotel, though this is a temporary job while I focus on gaining skills and saving money to eventually own my own business and build my own home as well. Second, my plan for the upcoming year is to purchase land and build a home for my two children. At the moment, I reside in my parents' house, but I feel it’s crucial to have our own space for the well-being of my sons. Having our own home is vital for their stability and growth, and it’s a dream I’ve held for a long time. I am determined to make it a reality, no matter the obstacles I may face."

"My goal for the coming year and beyond is to join college and study nursing. Once I clear the remaining $40 debt and obtain my certificates, I plan to save diligently to pay my college tuition. By continuing to participate in the savings group, I hope to make this dream a reality. I am incredibly grateful for the financial support, which has played a significant role in helping me clear my school debt and take important steps toward achieving my dream of furthering my education."

"I have faced many challenges in life due to my lack of education. Without a proper education, finding a well-paying job has been nearly impossible. However, I am determined to change the trajectory of my children’s lives by providing them with the best education possible. My primary goal for the coming year is to ensure that my children continue their education without any interruptions. To achieve this, I plan to save a significant portion of the transfers in a savings group. This will not only help me accumulate funds but also give me access to a loan that I can use to pay their school fees. I will then repay the loan in manageable installments. I am deeply grateful for the financial support, which is empowering me to work toward this important goal and secure a brighter future for my children."

"My primary goal for next year is to ensure that my children continue their education without any interruptions. To achieve this, I am committed to saving more money through the savings group I joined. This will enable me to accumulate enough funds to pay their school fees. Additionally, the savings group offers the option of taking a loan, which could provide the extra support needed to keep my children in school consistently. I also have a long-term plan to purchase land and build a house for my family. With my business doing well, I am optimistic that I will be able to achieve this goal using the profits generated. Owning land and a home will provide my family with stability and a better living environment. I am truly grateful for the financial support, which has been instrumental in helping me work toward these goals and improve my family’s future."