"I am a widow of two children and I do casual jobs for survival. I make little money which caters for food . I have had the desire to have fresh tap water at home but due to lack of money I have not done it. I will use $1500 to install fresh tap water at my home for home use and for business as well. I will also use $11000 to buy solar panels for home use. I currently stay in dark rooms during night hours and it is a risk especially at times when there is a lot of grass around."

"This year, and in the years to come, my wish is to continue farming and to open a business, as these are the most viable economic activities in my area. Doing so will help my family and me meet our daily needs more comfortably, especially for food and school fees. I plan to sell the surplus produce from the farm I planted with the last transfer from GiveDirectly. The income generated from this will not only ensure the continuation of my farming activities but also help me open a business. Fulfilling these goals will bring a lot of joy and gratitude to GiveDirectly, where all this started."

"In the coming year and beyond, my primary goal is to establish a sustainable income-generating activity for myself and my family. Charcoal burning, my current source of income, is unreliable and physically demanding. After conducting thorough research and considering my options, I've decided to pursue opening a shop business. This venture will involve selling a variety of goods, including foodstuff and essential products like personal effects. By transitioning to this business, I hope to not only improve our financial stability but also reduce the physical strain on myself."

"Currently, the goal that I have is to build a house for my children. This is because my three eldest children are all grown ups and are men. Due to this, we cannot sleep with them in the same room as the eldest is in form two. Because of this, they have been sleeping in a room together with their cousins at their grandmothers house. Building them a house will always give them enough time to study in the evening and they will always sleep well as they will have enough space. Since I cannot afford to buy all the necessary building materials on my own, I am planning to use the money that I will receive from our merry go round group." (Occupation: Small business)

"My husband and I face significant challenges in raising enough money to meet our children's basic needs. Securing jobs is difficult, and the pay is often insufficient. Recognizing this, I am committed to using my transfers wisely to increase our income and provide for our children's needs effectively. My goal for the coming year and beyond is to prioritize my children's education and make the most of these transfers before they come to an end. To achieve this, I plan to save a portion of my transfer to purchase a cow. This investment will enable me to raise additional calves over time, providing a steady source of income through milk production. I can sell the milk to cover my children's school fees and buy essential items for my family. Ultimately, I aim to use the profits from this cow business to fund my children's college education, ensuring they have a bright future and the opportunity to achieve their dreams through quality education. I am determined to invest in their education as it is crucial for their success and future prosperity."

"After my small business collapsed, I was left with no choice but to become a small-scale farmer to make ends meet.  As a subsistence farmer, I rely on farming to ensure food security for myself and my unemployed son. With the quarterly transfers from GiveDirectly, I decided to invest $60 in a savings group, hoping to buy a mattress and add goats once the savings mature. Currently, I only have a bed without a mattress, forcing me to sleep on sacks, which has been causing me back pain therefore, getting a mattress will not only alleviate my back pain but also allow me to spend quality time with my grandchildren when they visit. I also used $40 to buy food and household items since the transfers are my only source of income."

"In the next few months and years, my main focus is on supporting my son as he finishes school. Once he's done, I'm counting on him and my daughter, Abigael, to join forces with me to achieve my dream of building our own house. Right now, living with my parents is not ideal, but it's necessary as I've been prioritizing my children's education. Once they're independent, we can work together towards our shared goal of having a place to call our own, where we can all feel comfortable and secure." (Occupation: Small business)

"GiveDirectly has done well by providing us with an unconditional cash transfer, which has made a huge difference in my family of 11. We have been able to use this money to buy food, expand my wife's business, and ensure our children can continue their education. This impact goes beyond just our family, as we have seen positive changes happening in our community as well. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for your support and for making such a meaningful difference in our lives."

"As I look ahead to the coming months and years, I'm hopeful to achieve a simple yet meaningful goal: expanding my flock of goats. I've been diligently saving through my SILC account, banking on the promise that when these savings mature, I'll be able to use the savings to purchase even more. This venture represents a path to financial independence and security for me and my family. With each addition to my herd, I'm not just growing a business; I'm nurturing a future where we can sustain ourselves with dignity and pride."

"As a small-scale business owner earning little income, I've made some good decisions with the quarterly transfers from GiveDirectly to improve our lives. With $37, including $2 of my savings, I bought a goat, hoping they'll multiply and provide both pride and emergency financial security. Another $30 went towards hiring an ox plow to prepare my land, aiming for food security and a good harvest to feed my family. During the farm preparation, I spent $4 on food for my family. Additionally, I've saved $34 to buy another goat, planning to add to my flock this Friday. My income mainly goes towards feeding my family of six, but with occasional support from my son, we're determined to make the most of these opportunities for a better future." (Occupation: Small business)