"After seven years in the Boda boda business, my ultimate goal is to acquire my own motorcycle. I plan to secure a loan from the bank to fulfill this dream, and I'm pleased to announce that I'm on the verge of reaching the minimum required amount set by the bank for loan eligibility. I intend to utilize the forthcoming transfers to repay this loan. Acquiring this motorcycle will significantly improve my quality of life, as I'll be able to retain all of the day's earnings. Moreover, it will liberate me from the constraints of employment, marking a significant personal achievement." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"GiveDirectly has profoundly transformed my life in ways I could have never imagined. I am delighted to report that these financial transfers have enabled me to not only complete the construction of my home but also furnish it. In the past, I relied on selling pastries in my village, but regrettably, I had to discontinue that business due to health issues. Out of the funds I received, I allocated $34 to cover medical expenses incurred during my childbirth at Kilifi hospital. Additionally, I used $20 to assist my brother in settling his school fees arrears, preventing his expulsion from school. Another $14 went towards the purchase of two chickens that I intend to rear. The remaining amount was handed over to my husband, contributing to his savings, which he utilized to acquire a motorcycle. I am overjoyed that these transfers have made the seemingly impossible dream of owning a motorcycle a reality for us."

"Looking ahead to the coming years and beyond, I have a dream of building a new house for our family. Our current living space is a small, one-room structure where my husband, our two children, and I share the same space for sleeping and storing household items. It feels cramped and challenging, particularly when we have guests, as we must seek shelter for them with relatives, which is not very convenient. I aspire to use some of the funds from the cash transfers to build a more spacious house with three rooms, constructed with mud walls and a tin roof. This new house would provide us with the space we need, including separate rooms for our children and guests. My husband will also contribute some of the earnings he makes as a motorcycle taxi rider toward this construction project."

"Before Givedirectly's cash transfer program came into my life, I was struggling to make ends meet. My little income as a motorcycle driver, earning $6 a day, couldn't cover the school fees and requirements for my three children. I worried every day that my kids would be sent back home from school. My wife was doing her best with her small pastry business, but it also didn't bring in much income.With the unconditional monthly cash transfer, I finally had some breathing room. I recently used $39 to clear my children's school fees arrears and bought their school supplies. This gave me immense relief, knowing my kids wouldn't face the risk of being sent back home from school. Additionally, I also invested in purchasing two goats for $70. These will be a source of income for my family. If the need arises, I'll have something to sell and generate some cash. It all fells like a new beginning, Givedirectly has given us hope for a better life." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"I bought a bull, furniture in my house as I didn't have any, iron sheets for building my house when I buy land, a motorcycle for bodaboda business."

"We live in a dry place. The last time we had good rains was 3 years ago. It means we depend on fetching water from the nearest borehole, which is about 10 kilometers away. It's hard fetching enough water for domestic use. This has affected our ability to focus on other things such as farming. We spend a lot of time fetching water. Alternatively we hire a taxi motorcycle to fetch water. It's quite expensive, for one trip of water, that's 80 litres, it costs about $1.50. That's not enough for our household. Water shortage has made our lives difficult."

"I bought 4 cows each at 1000000" (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"Recently, life has become very difficult because of the high cost of living. This has made my life hard since it is difficult to afford basic needs such as food. I go through a lot of stress especially when I'm unable to purchase food for my family." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"Receiving that second unconditional cash transfer was a true blessing for me. First and foremost, I used a significant portion, around $180, to purchase iron sheets and nails and cover the labor charges. My aim was to complete the construction of my house, a project I had started but was forced to halt due to financial constraints. I had big plans. I wanted to add another room to my home, as the current single room was far too small to comfortably house my family of four. This extra space would not only provide us with a more comfortable living arrangement but also a sense of privacy that we had longed for. After that, I used a portion of the funds to pay a school fee of $30 for my daughter, who is in the lower classes. The relief on her face and the happiness she now carries into her classroom, free from the distractions of unpaid fees, are priceless gifts. It warms my heart to know that she's focusing on her studies, hoping for better grades and a brighter future. Also, the cash transfers came to the rescue when my main source of income, my motorcycle, broke down a few weeks ago. With nearly $100, I managed to purchase the necessary spare parts to get it running again. My husband operates it, and thanks to this repair, our income is back on track. The feeling of self-reliance and security it brought is beyond words. I finally bought some much-needed food with the rest of the money, ensuring that we had enough to sustain us in the coming months."

"I recently made a significant decision with my recent unconditional cash transfer: I used the entire amount, which was $450, to purchase a secondhand motorcycle. This choice might seem unusual to some, but it was a strategic move to improve my livelihood. I had been working for a friend, and my daily earnings were around $3, barely enough to cover my basic needs. Life was a constant struggle, and I felt that I was stuck in a cycle of financial hardship. However, with this motorcycle, my situation has changed. The motorcycle has opened up new opportunities for me. I now earn close to $5 a day, thanks to the increased mobility it provides. It might not sound like a significant leap, but for someone like me who lives alone and aspires to start my own family soon, this extra income is life-changing. With the motorcycle, I can take on more work, expand my business prospects, and secure a more stable future for my family-to-be. It's a testament to how a small, well-thought-out investment can have a profound impact on one's life, and I'm excited to see where this new chapter takes me." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)