"For a long time I have stayed in a dilapidated house, with broken walls which let in water in the raining season,and extream heat during sunshine. My hope for the year is to renovate this house and it would really make me excited and boost my esteem to live in a decent house with my 3 children. Moreover, having worked in a hotel before, my other ambition for the year is to open up a food kiosk in the village."

"For a considerable period, I have relied on the hospitality of my son's house in Mombasa, where he works and resides. Despite my longstanding aspiration to own a home following the collapse of my previous residence, financial constraints have posed a significant obstacle to achieving this dream. Upon joining the program, I held onto hope that I would finally be able to construct and possess my own house. I am overjoyed to have ultimately realized this long-term dream. By conscientiously saving my previous transfers, I procured iron sheets, timber, and building poles, enabling me to complete the construction of the house last month, including the installation of a door. Only minor work remains on the walls to safeguard them against erosion by rainwater in the future. It is challenging to express the depth of my happiness and gratitude for the financial support I have received from Give Directly, which has empowered me to fulfill my enduring aspiration of homeownership."

"I was in my maize farm when the message about $200 from GiveDirectly popped up. It felt like a prayer answered because my maize needed fertilizer. Instantly, I knew what I had to do. I allocated $120 for the much-needed fertilizer, ensuring my crops would grow healthy and strong. Another immediate concern was clean water. Before, we used to drink water from the river, and it was affecting my four kids' health, causing illnesses like typhoid. So, I set aside $35 to buy clean water. It wasn't just about the crops; it was about the well-being of my family. The feeling was pure joy. It meant my farm would thrive, and my kids would have access to clean water, promoting good health. This unexpected support wasn't just money; it was a solution to two pressing challenges, making a tangible difference in our daily lives."

"I am the second of 7 children. I am now a student in secondary school form 2.I do not have a source of income. My mother prepares and sells charcoal while my father is in the city where he is employed to sell water using a hand cart. My parents do not make much which means they struggle covering school fees for us. I have spent my transfers over the years helping them cover my school fees payments. In October I spent $20 on my own school fees and also paid school fees for my sibling using $10, In November I paid school fees for myself, and Sibling a similar amount to October while in December I paid the same amount I did in the previous months for myself and used the rest for my sibling who did not have the school fees. I also got some chicken in November at $4 while in October I spent the $4 buying food."

"Operating my own water cart and selling water in Mariakani town is how I earn a living, providing for my family of four. The financial support received through transfers has been a significant blessing, allowing me to make substantial improvements in our lives. I am deeply grateful for these transfers as they have enabled me to invest in various areas, including purchasing goats, constructing a house, and acquiring chickens. The hardships that once characterized my life have now given way to a more favorable situation. A substantial portion of my transfers has been directed towards livestock farming. I allocated $68 to purchase two goats, intending to raise and eventually use them as a stepping stone to acquire cows in the future. In addition, I invested $20 in four chickens, with the remainder saved. My sincere appreciation goes to GiveDirectly for their invaluable assistance, which has played a pivotal role in bringing about these positive changes in my life."

"The cash transfer I received from GiveDirectly was a game changer .On receiving the second transfer, I used $300 to clear the debt of a shamba that I had already started using the first transfer in Shtaki, securing one acre of land where my father's shamba is located. This new plot is a ray of hope for my son's future, as I plan to build a home for him there. Being the sole breadwinner after my husband left in search of better opportunities and never returned, my previous income of $12 a week was barely enough for food, but now, I invest in burning charcoal for a living. I allocated $180 to buy construction materials for our new home, addressing the need for a stable living space. Recognizing the unreliable water supply, I also purchased a tank to ensure a consistent water flow. Additionally, a portion of the money went towards circumcising my son, something I couldn't afford before. The remaining funds were joyfully spent on celebrating Christmas, bringing warmth and festivity to our lives in a way we hadn't experienced in a long time."

"I have a strong desire to pivot towards farming, particularly focusing on cultivating perishable vegetables such as tomatoes. I plan to rent land near the river, recognizing its fertile soil and proximity to a water source—crucial for successful farming. To ensure consistent irrigation, I intend to hire a generator, a vital resource for this endeavor. The appeal of cultivating tomatoes lies in their high demand and ready market availability. I believe that by strategically positioning myself to produce these perishable vegetables, I can generate a sustainable income to support my family. This shift towards farming offers an exciting opportunity. My vision is not just about farming tomatoes; it's about fostering a sustainable livelihood for my family."

"In the upcoming years and beyond, I want to work even harder at my current business, growing it by stocking more groceries and increasing the community's gasoline supply. This way, we can at least make more money and eventually live a comfortable life instead of having to sell water to cover our basic needs."

"I wish to continue supporting my son's education as he is set to complete university in the next nine months. He is required to pay at least $300 every semester, and the cash transfers, coupled with the income from selling livestock and my small pensions post-retirement, have proven instrumental in keeping him in school. Another aspiration is to replace the roof of my house. The current iron sheets have corroded and developed perforations over time, allowing water to leak in when it rains. Replacing the roof would address this issue and I hope to channel the cash transfers towards the exercise."

"I was a charcoal seller but I have not sold charcoal for a while now, I have some land in the bush where I would collect stamps and burn them for charcoal but recently Elephants came from the forest in search of water and I was forced to abandon my work and move back to the village. I still need to make an income as my family is still young and my child will need to one day go to school. My plan is to get into the business of chicken rearing and grow the numbers of this chicken to large flocks that I can sell and buy goats which I can later sell and buy cows or even land."