"My goal for the coming year is to complete the construction of my shop, which consists of three rooms. One room will be for my business, while the other two will be rented out to generate additional income. To achieve this, I am setting aside $20 from my monthly transfers, which I save in our local savings club. Once I have saved enough, I will buy the necessary materials, like sand and cement, to finish the construction. I’ve already installed doors in two of the rooms, with some support from my spouse. This project will not only improve my business but also provide extra income from the rental spaces. I am proud of the progress I’ve made so far and extremely grateful for the support that has made this possible." (Occupation: Small business)

"Before GiveDirectly came to our area, I had a small grocery business that provided some income to support my family. Unfortunately, the business collapsed, leaving us without a steady source of income. Now, I want to invest part of my transfer into reviving the business. Life has become very difficult. My spouse works as a motorbike taxi operator, but the little income he earns isn’t enough to sustain us, and he often has to work late into the night to make ends meet. Thanks to the transfers we receive from GiveDirectly, things have improved. These cash transfers have allowed us to start rebuilding and creating a more stable income source. Reviving my grocery business will help us cover essential expenses, including school fees for our children, easing the financial strain on my spouse. In addition to that, we are saving part of our income to buy my husband his own motorcycle, which will give us two reliable sources of income. Currently, he rents the motorbike he uses, which leaves him with very little earnings after paying the rental fees. Owning a motorcycle will significantly improve our financial situation and help us build a more secure future for our family."

"When I completed my hairdressing course, my dream was to open my own salon to support my family of five. Unfortunately, I have not had the capital to start this business and have relied on my husband, who is an electrician, to provide for us. I am feeling hopeful with the anticipated transfers, as I plan to use KES 50000 to open my salon and put my skills into practice. Additionally, I will spend KES 10000 to boost my poultry farming, which will help generate extra income for our family. This combined effort will allow me to contribute more and work towards a more stable future."

"The struggles of farming can be overwhelming, especially when faced with the challenge of getting water to the crops. Our farm at home was suffering because we had no effective way to pump water from the Perkerra River. Therefore, I decided to invest $320 in a generator, allowing me to channel water directly to my farm. This purchase was crucial for my ability to continue farming without the stress of drought seasons impacting our harvest. Furthermore, I used $70 to open a salon business for my partner, so she could have her own source of income while we support each other at home. With only one child to care for, it's important for us to find ways to help each other thrive. I also work as a farmer and casual laborer to make ends meet, balancing multiple responsibilities to provide for my family. Finally, I spent the remaining $60 on food since we had no capital for farming at the moment. Before this support, we relied heavily on casual jobs like burning charcoal to cover our basic needs. Unfortunately, floods hit and destroyed all my vegetables and green grams at the farm, leaving us feeling hopeless and depressed. Despite these challenges, I remain determined to make the most of the opportunities I've been given and build a better future for my family."

"Receiving the cash transfer was a turning point for me, as it allowed me to focus on my education and provide for my family. I have been studying for a diploma in literature, and with the money, I was able to pay my school fees, which cost $250. Farming has been my source of income, primarily through growing vegetables, which has helped me sustain my studies and support my two boys after my wife and I separated four years ago. Furthermore, with the remaining $200, I prepared land, bought seeds, and paid for labor to plant watermelons. Watermelon is a good choice because it’s marketable and doesn't require much management. Plus, it has a short growing period, allowing me to harvest within two months. Currently, I have vegetables growing alongside my watermelon farm, and the income from these vegetables helps me purchase fuel for the generators I use to pump water for irrigation. I feel grateful for this opportunity, as it has enabled me to balance my education and provide for my family. With hard work and careful planning, I am optimistic about the future. I hope to continue growing my farming business while completing my studies, ensuring a better life for my boys and myself."

"When the money came, I felt a huge sense of relief. I used $80 to pay my children’s school fees because they had been sent home so many times due to unpaid fees. I used to run a small grocery business, but when sales dropped, I had to close it. To keep paying for necessities, I joined merry-go-rounds to raise money. It was really tough, especially since my husband is old and unable to help much. I spent $60 on cement to fix our house because the walls were cracking, and I feared it might collapse. The house was in bad shape, and I couldn’t bear the thought of my children living in such a dangerous place. Now, with the repairs done, I feel much more comfortable and secure at home. Lastly, I used $40 to buy food for my family. Since my grocery business had closed, getting enough food had become difficult. But with the transfer, we finally had enough to eat, and I could provide properly for my family. I am truly grateful because this money has lifted a heavy burden off my shoulders and brought peace to our home." (Occupation: Small business)

"Of late, my financial decisions have been around essential needs. As a widow living at my son-in-law's place seeking medication for my unpredictable health, life has not been easy. With the last three transfers totaling $102, I saved $30 in a merry-go-round scheme that has ten members. It is a community-based savings approach which allows us to pool money and give it to one member at a time, enabling us to address significant needs. My turn to benefit from this scheme is this month where I expect to get $100. The aim of joining this group is to accumulate money so that I can invest in livestock specifically goats. I chose goats because they are cheap to acquire, have ready market and they can withstand the harsh climate we face often. The goats will serve as a safety net in the future. I also used $30 to start a kiosk business. I sell fast moving goods mostly foodstuff such as sugar, maize, beans etc. I opted to start this kiosk here at my son-in-law's place so that I can support myself in small essential items that I may need as well as to keep myself busy. I am optimistic that the kiosk will thrive. With the remaining $42, I spent it on food to give support to the breadwinner because he is also struggling with casual jobs to provide for the family."

"Receiving this cash transfer from GiveDirectly feels like an answered prayer because I have been praying for a financial breakthrough to start a poultry business and invest in livestock, but financial constraints have always held me back. Now, with this opportunity, I plan to invest KES 25,000 in a poultry business. Additionally, I want to begin livestock keeping by purchasing 15 goats for my family, so that in case of an emergency, we’ll have something to rely on. I will use the remaining funds to buy food and other household essentials for my family."

"Financial constraints are the biggest challenge at the moment. I lost my job in 2017 and since then, I depend on the honey business to earn a living. Recently ,the supply has gone down hence affecting my income greatly forcing me to compliment the charcoal business which is also costly to operate. The income is not enough to meet the basic needs of my family as opposed to if I had a stable source of income." (Occupation: Small business)

"The transfers from GiveDirectly came at the right time when I am facing challenges with my grocery business. I need around $155 to invest in my business and maximize profits. I am also dreaming of venturing into livestock farming. I will use $310 to buy ten goats and jumpstart my business. This will help me earn more income for my family. I had begun renovating my main house, but financial challenges have caused the project to stall. I am happy that the transfers from GiveDirectly will help me achieve my dream of living in a better house. This will cost me $230 of the transfers." (Occupation: Small business)