"I undertook a tailoring course 3 years ago, but I haven't been able to utilize this skill fully due to lack of adequate finances to purchase a sewing machine and the requisite materials to kick start the business. Receiving this money, therefore, means I will be in a position to finally put it into practice, - the first transfers will be enough to cover all expenses needed there. On the other hand, my husband operates a motorcycle taxi, and his desire is to acquire his own motorbike. The one he currently uses belongs to a friend and most of his daily earning goes to the owner. Accordingly, he will use the other half ($550) to purchase it. Achieving all these will boost our financial status." (Occupation: Small business)

"In six months’ time, I expect to be in the process of continually saving money in preparation for children’s education. The struggle that I have seen in my village mates about school fee payment is something that I do want to face as a hurdle. This is the main reason why I need to struggle so much to ensure that it will be easier for me. I am also thinking about the best ways that I can invest in a business that will see me realize this goal."

"Because of the poor roads in my rural home, we as residents rely on donkeys to transport water and farm produce among other things. I know how costly this has been for my family thus upon receiving these transfers from GiveDirectly, I decided to buy two donkeys and a cart. I am so glad this has given me a business opportunity as well as serving my domestic needs. I am already enjoying a good business opportunity that has improved my daily income. Owning my donkeys and a cart means financial independence. I am glad as I am now self-employed and because of enjoying the profits alone, I have been able to cater for the family's daily basic needs on time and remain with something to save for other investments."

"Poultry farming has been my biggest ambition for a very long time. However, due to lack of capital I have not been able to invest in this project. Currently I rely on casual jobs besides subsistence farming. I have always wanted to have a stable source of income and I believe this is the only way out. I will therefore set up this project once I receive the transfer. This means I will engage in this business both inside and outside the village. I will be selling them in all the nearest markets during market days. Therefore, receiving this transfer means achieving financial stability that will enable me to cater for my family comfortably."

"The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have bought a dairy cow. I used to buy milk from my neighbors and it was so costly for me. I depend on the casual jobs in the village and the profits from the small retail shop that I operate at home. The amount of money that I get from all this was only enough for the basic needs of my family including paying school fees for my children. Sometimes when I did not have the money we could go without milk and this was very stressing because I have small children. Currently, I have bought a dairy cow and I no longer buy milk like I used to do before. My children are no longer missing milk. I have enough milk for my family and I sell the surplus to earn an income to meet other additional needs for the family. I am so happy because I no longer get stress up like before and this has made me devote much of my time to my business to generate more profits. GiveDirectly has changed our standard of living." (Occupation: Small business)

"Currently, my life is different from how it was in that, I am my own boss. I managed to start my own business which is doing well. My income has increased and I am able to take care of my needs easily. I could never imagine opening a business like this before. I had been employed as a hawker for two and a half years getting 300 KES a day. This was not enough to sustain my needs but I had no option. With these transfers, I have been able to improve my living standards. I even moved to a better house since my income has also increased."

"In the next six months, I know I will have a very stable fish mongering business. This is a business I started with part of my transfers and it has been very helpful through the daily profits which is my income. I have been able to meet my family needs well and in time because of the business profits. I no longer have to borrow nor seek help like before the transfers. I want to focus my transfers in investing in the business by adding more capital and even finding a premise where my customers will be able to come daily. This will help improve profits and increase my revenue when I have many customers."

"My new goal is to start distributing shoes in different towns in order to increase my income. I am yearning to improve my business to wholesale. I know before I reach there, I will need to work hard with more determination before reaching this level. But I am hopeful that one day I will be able to attain this goal and be among the few envied suppliers in the city."

"I lived with three of my friends before I started receiving these transfers because I could not afford to pay my own rent as I was not earning much from my barbershop business which was very small then. When I started receiving the transfers, I decided to move out and rent my own house which I knew I would be able to pay for through the transfers as I wait for the business to improve. I was tired of living in a crowded place where no one was very keen on cleaning as we would all leave early and come back at odd hours. I also revamped the business by buying more equipment and other stylish furniture that would attract more customers. The business has not been doing as well as I expected but it has definitely improved from its previous pathetic state. I am really enjoying my privacy as well as growing my business all courtesy of Give Directly."

"Since I lost my husband in the month of July, life has not been that easy for me. I was left with the responsibility of raising my family alone. With the little income which I make from the business which I run I would not get enough income to sustain my family needs. Sometimes I would borrow some money to make ends meet. The money which I would receive from GiveDirectly I would spend to repay debt with less worry as I am guaranteed some cash every month."