"I’m hoping that in the next year, I will have moved out of the place I currently live in. To make that happen, I need to finish paying for the piece of land I’ve been working towards and begin construction on my new house. With the third transfer I’ll receive, I’m going to use half of it to clear the balance on the land. That way, I can finally call it mine and start working on the house. Once the beans in the farm are ready, I’ll sell them and use the money to fund the building. It’s going to be a slow process, but one step at a time, I know I’ll get there. I am very determined and optimistic and also aware of the challenges ahead but fully committed to seeing this dream through."

"I spent $200 on the farm, ploughing half an acre of land and ordering tomato seeds. I made sure the land was well-watered so that the crops would have a good start. Farming is our lifeline, and this investment will help us get a better harvest and hopefully more income down the road. I also used $50 to clear my daughter’s school fees. She’s in Grade 6, and we had some arrears from last term. If I hadn’t paid, she would’ve been sent home, and I didn’t want her to miss any more lessons. It’s important she stays in school so she can have a brighter future than what I had growing up. With $50, I bought new clothes for my wife, my youngest child, and myself. We all needed to look good—it felt right to celebrate this blessing by dressing well. Another $50 went toward stocking the house with food, ensuring we wouldn’t have to worry about meals for a while. The remaining amount helped me buy essential household supplies to keep things running smoothly. Every cent went to something meaningful, and I feel relieved knowing we’re in a better place than we were before."

"First on my list is buying a piece of land, about 50 by 100 feet. The place where I’m currently staying tends to flood when the rains come, and it’s been a real problem for a while now. It’s just not sustainable and I need a more stable place, somewhere I don’t have to worry about every time the clouds start gathering. Farming has always been my main way of raising money, and I’m banking on the next harvest to help me take that big step towards buying the land. I’ve put so much effort into my crops, and I’m hopeful that this coming season will be a good one. On top of that, I’ve also been planting vegetables to sell, and that’s going to contribute as well. It’s smaller scale, but every little bit counts. Between the vegetables and the harvest from the larger crops, I believe I’ll be able to gather enough to finally buy that piece of land. It’s a lot of work, but I’m determined to make it happen this coming year."

"In the upcoming year and beyond, my plan is to open my own sewing shop. I’ve already ordered a machine from Mombasa and paid for it using the savings I accumulated through our merry-go-round group. With my coursework complete, I’m ready to launch the shop, which will provide an income to support my family. I also plan to rent a nearby space and stock additional items to sell alongside my tailoring services. I’ve purchased the sewing machine and am currently awaiting its arrival. Once it arrives, I will open the shop and start this new chapter. I'm truly grateful to GiveDirectly for their support, which has renewed my optimism in achieving this goal. Additionally, I plan to invest in farming tools, including a bull for ploughing, and I’m saving for this through the same merry-go-round group. I am optimistic about achieving my goals before the transfers come to an end."

"When GiveDirectly came to our village, I didn't know what to expect. But what I liked most was that everyone in the village got the money. It didn’t matter who you were, as long as you lived within the village boundaries, you were included. There was no favoritism or exclusion, and for once, we all felt like we mattered equally. What also impressed me was how organized everything was. Every single person who was enrolled in the project received the money, just as they had promised. There was no confusion or delay. They explained everything clearly from the start, so there were no surprises. We understood exactly how the process worked, and that gave us a lot of confidence in the program. GiveDirectly truly kept their word, and that transparency made all the difference for us and for that, I do not see anything that needs to be changed."

"When GiveDirectly came to our village, they explained everything so clearly. They told us where the money came from and how they were here to help us without any conditions. I remember thinking how different it felt from other aid programs I’d heard about. They didn’t push us or make us feel like we had to join, and that gave me so much peace of mind. They made it very clear that we had the freedom to spend the money however we thought best, and that trust made me feel empowered. Honestly, I wouldn't change a thing about the program. The way they approached us with no strings attached, giving us the responsibility to make our own choices, was perfect. Being able to use the money on what my family and I needed most made a real impact. It wasn’t just about receiving help; it was about being treated with dignity and respect."

"Since my husband passed away two years ago, I’ve had to take on the full responsibility of covering our children’s school fees, clothing, food, and other essentials. The house was already in poor condition when he passed, and it’s been a struggle to meet all their needs with the limited profits from my charcoal business. With the recent increase in the cost of basic commodities, the situation has become even more difficult. My children were often sent home for unpaid fees, so I decided to dedicate all my transfers toward paying their school fees. Renovating the house is my second priority. Although I replaced the roof, the house is still unsafe as the cracked walls let in insects and rain. My immediate goal is to rebuild the walls, and I plan to save $4 each month to buy construction materials. I can’t save more than that right now due to other basic needs. Once my children finish their education, I intend to invest in goat and chicken rearing projects. These projects will generate more income, as they multiply when well taken care of, increasing their financial value. I'm confident that once these projects are established, they will provide security. In case of a financial crisis, I’ll be able to sell some animals to support my family."

"Moving forward, my primary focus is to use my transfers to help my child, who has a deformed leg. I am determined to ensure that he receives the necessary medical attention so that he can have a good leg and enjoy a normal life like other children. In addition to my child's medical care, I plan to use part of the transfers to buy goats. My hope is that these goats will multiply and increase in number over time. I then intend to trade some of the goats for cows, which I can train to help plow my farm. In the future, I may be able to sell some of the cows as they multiply and use the proceeds to fund my children's education. I am excited to see these plans come to fruition with the help of the transfers I receive from GiveDirectly, and I am hopeful that I will be able to provide my children with the best possible opportunities."

"My plan for the coming year is to plant beans on 2 acres of land within the Eldume Irrigation Scheme. You know, it's the perfect time to plant beans—the conditions are ideal, and the scheme has provided us with good, quality seeds. I'm really hopeful that this will turn out well. If everything goes as expected and I get a good harvest, I can sell the beans at $100 per bag. That money would be a huge help, especially when it comes to paying school fees. I have eight children, you see, and two of them are in secondary school now. The costs are really starting to add up. I’ve been managing to pay their fees by selling my cows. It’s not easy, and I’m now down to just one cow, which I’m keeping mainly for milk to feed my family. But I can’t keep selling livestock forever. That’s why I’m really banking on this new source of income from the beans. If all goes well, I won’t have to keep sacrificing what little livestock I have left. It’s my way of securing a more stable life for all of us."

"Financial constraints are the greatest challenge. Both my husband and I rely on casual jobs to earn a living, it is not sustainable because what we earn only meets our basic needs halfway through. We borrow loans to be able to pay school fees for our children and repay slowly. If we had a better source of income our lives would have been better."