"My primary goal is to construct a three-bedroom house for my family as our current residence is too small to accommodate us adequately. To accomplish this objective, I am committed to consistently saving my transfers through our savings club. Additionally, I plan to invest in goats and chickens, with the intention of selling them once they reproduce and their offspring reach maturity, thereby generating additional income for our family. I am grateful to Give Directly for giving my family this chance to change our lives."

"At the moment, my daughter is enrolled in a three-year hairdressing course, and she relies on me to cover her tuition fees. This course holds significant importance for her as it paves the way for her to establish her own hairdressing business and become financially independent. Unfortunately, my current financial situation is not very stable, as I lack a steady source of income. I depend solely on the monthly transfers, and my husband is also a beneficiary of these funds. Our shared objective is to ensure that our daughter can complete her course without any disruptions due to financial constraints. I am committed to paying her tuition fees on time and helping her achieve her educational aspirations."

"I would like to have a long term investment, but what would that look like in a rural setting? My question since I was enrolled into this program. Now that I have straightened my life and set up a small sardines business that helps take care of my daily needs, I now have the freedom to invest my transfers in a long-term project or items that will be of great benefit to my children. After thinking long and hard, I have decided that a cow would be most ideal in this environment, but honestly I may not be discipled enough to save my monthly transfers to a point that am able to afford a cow, so I will be channeling the transfers to something more affordable. Goats. Yes, the $34 I receive monthly can comfortably buy a goat old enough to reproduce within a year of its purchase. So, while I keep purchasing more goats that I can eventually sell to raise enough money to purchase a cow, the heard I already have would be helping in the realization of my goal through reproduction. Managing a single or 2 cows is much easier than managing 10 goats and they also come with other advantages such as large scale milk production that can also be a source of income. This is why it's important to sell the goats once the number is big enough to raise enough money to purchase a cow."

"In the future, I aspire to reinforce the mud-wall house, which always seems vulnerable to strong winds. I intend to construct robust pillars that will firmly anchor my house to the ground, granting it the resilience to endure various weather conditions. Furthermore, I have a plan to encircle my house with a protective concrete skirting. This will not only shield it from moisture but also add a sense of permanence and appeal to its appearance. Most importantly, I yearn to purchase a new bed, a place of comfort and repose that I can truly call my own. For a considerable time, I've been using my son's bed, ever since mine broke when my old house collapsed."

"My goal is to expand the chicken-rearing project that I initiated with the cash transfers. Currently, my job as a community police officer does not provide a reliable income to support the education of my seven children, let alone cover their food expenses. I am happy that I already traded 15 chickens for a goat, which marked the beginning of my goat-rearing venture as well. I aim to acquire around 15 laying hens that will breed and increase the flock size. With a larger chicken flock, I can trade for more goats and expand my goat herd, which is another source of income I am eager to pursue."

"Given my paralysis in one leg, I am unable to engage in strenuous activities to generate an income. Therefore, livestock rearing remains my primary means of livelihood. My ultimate goal is to revive my livestock trading business, which was adversely affected by the drought. This drought led to the loss of vegetation and the death of some cattle and goats that I owned at that time. I aim to restart this venture as it represents my best opportunity for income generation. To achieve this, I have started by purchasing chickens, with plans to gradually expand to include goats and cows."

"Looking ahead to the coming year and beyond, I have a goal to purchase two more cows to add to the two that I already own. These cows have been helpful in plowing activities during land preparation. In the recently concluded planting season, the two bulls I own significantly increased crop yields not only on my farm but also on the farms of others who hired their services. I aim to buy two more cows and expand my cattle holdings. Additionally, as these cows mature, I can sell them at a higher price. Currently, the price for acquiring one cow stands at $150. Since my household has four cash transfer recipients, including my wife and children, we have all agreed to contribute towards this goal each month. Moreover, with the recent food harvest, we anticipate that our funds will not be as constrained, making this goal more attainable."

"I want to have my crops grown fully because I will harvest in 2 years."

"It was around 1 PM when I was plucking vegetables in my garden, and the sun was beating down relentlessly. As I toiled, I heard my phone ringing, a sound I had rarely encountered before. Illiterate and uncertain, I handed it to my brother to read the message. His eyes widened, and a radiant smile broke across his face as he confirmed it was an Mpesa notification from GiveDirectly. The sheer disbelief and joy that coursed through me were indescribable. In that moment, a rush of hope overwhelmed me, and I knew exactly how I would use this unexpected blessing. With newfound determination, I decided to build a new house to replace the dilapidated one I had endured for years, a symbol of brighter days ahead."

"The unconditional money they provided afforded me a newfound freedom that I'd never experienced before. With this financial support, I was able to invest in modern and comfortable bedding, bringing a sense of luxury and comfort to my daily life. Furthermore, I used a portion of the funds to invest in livestock, which has not only become a source of income but also a symbol of stability and self-sufficiency. GiveDirectly's approach has empowered me to make choices that have not only improved my living conditions but have also given me a sense of ownership and control over my life."