"I have an important goal that has been giving me headaches for a while: renovating my roof. Currently, it's a grassy one, and it has been a constant struggle, especially during the rainy seasons. We end up getting rained on as if we were outside, leaving me with no peace at all. My belongings have been repeatedly damaged, and it’s been beyond my control. Now, I’ve decided to save a portion of my cash transfer each month, putting aside $10 for this purpose. Even if it takes years, I’m determined to reach this goal. Once I accomplish it, I won’t have to worry about the harsh weather anymore, and I’ll have peace of mind about my family's safety at home." (Country: Kenya)

"My house has become so worn that whenever it rains, water leaks in due to the old and damaged roof. This situation has caused me sleepless nights, as I worry that my family and I will be exposed to rain and cold nights during the long rains. I have set a goal to renovate the roof and install a new one. To achieve this, I plan to save a portion of my monthly cash transfers and receive additional support from my sons. In a few months, I plan to complete the renovation. This will ensure we stay dry during the rain and protect my family from future risks, such as physical harm due to the deteriorating roof." (Country: Kenya)

"I have established a small animal farm, where I currently raise chickens, sheep, and goats. Unfortunately, while my poultry project was thriving, an outbreak occurred that wiped out almost all of my chickens, leaving only two survivors. At present, I have 5 goats and 3 sheep as part of my livestock project. Both my goats and chickens have had offspring. My plan is to prepare for the future as I have a two-year-old child who has not yet started school. I anticipate needing funds when she does, so I aim to build a larger herd that will allow me to sell animals to ensure she can enroll in school and complete her education, even after the Givediretly program ends. Therefore, in the coming year and beyond, I intend to use my transfers to invest in livestock, focusing on goat and sheep farming alongside poultry operations." (Country: Kenya)

"Waking up in the morning, I felt a spark of excitement as I checked my phone and confirmed that I had received the money. It was like a cow had just given birth—full of joy and promise! I quickly called my wife to share the good news, and she responded with enthusiasm. She immediately suggested that we should buy iron sheets since we had been living in a house that was not suitable for our family. Her words made me realize how this money could truly change our living conditions. I felt grateful to GiveDirectly for this opportunity to improve our lives." (Country: Kenya)

"My plan is to continue farming. After harvesting the butternut, I will replant maize to ensure a steady income. With the income I receive, I will purchase more livestock to enhance our farming efforts. This will help us secure food for our family and provide additional income through milk and future sales. I am determined to improve our lives and create a better future for my family. By investing in farming and livestock, I believe we can achieve our goals together." (Country: Kenya)

"I am educated, but I do not have the money to continue my education. My goal is to continue farming, and when we start earning an income, I hope to go back to school either for myself or for my wife to further her education. I believe education is important for a better future, so I will give her a chance to start first, and then I can pursue my studies later. This plan not only helps us improve our lives but also sets a good example for our children. I am determined to make this work, as I want to show my family that with hard work and perseverance, we can achieve our dreams. In the coming years, I see a brighter future for us, where education plays a key role in our success." (Country: Kenya)

"In the coming years, I hope to build a sustainable source of income by starting a poultry business, as I see a promising, steady market for poultry products. Rearing chickens would provide us with eggs and meat to sell, giving my family a reliable income. Alongside this, I want to keep expanding our crop farming, which not only supports us with food but also offers a way to earn extra money during harvest times. I believe that with both poultry and crop farming, we can improve our standard of living and provide better opportunities for our children. This combination of farming and poultry would also help us become more resilient against tough seasons or unexpected losses. In the long run, I see this as a way to bring lasting stability and growth to our family." (Country: Kenya)

"In the coming years, my main goal is to invest more in livestock, as it’s something I can manage well. The animals I initially bought have already started to multiply, which gives me hope for a stable source of income. By growing my livestock, I’ll be able to support my family better and even cover school fees for my children as they grow. Each new birth feels like a step toward a more secure future, and this motivates me to keep working hard. I know that by focusing on livestock, I’m building a foundation that will benefit us for years to come. My dream is to eventually expand the herd, providing both food and income to meet my family’s needs." (Country: Kenya)

"At 6 am, I woke up and casually checked my phone, only to see a message that I had received money from GiveDirectly. I felt a rush of happiness and couldn’t keep it to myself immediately woke up my wife to share the good news. "Look," I told her, "we’ve received the money!" She checked the message herself, and we both felt such relief and excitement. The first thought that came to mind was finally buying goats. Buying milk every day had become a real strain, both financially and physically, and I knew having goats would help us save money and ease that burden. We were grateful, knowing this transfer would bring such a big difference to our daily life." (Country: Kenya)

"It was around 12 pm. when the money came through, but I didn't notice the message right away because I was on a motorbike, traveling. When I finally saw the message, I felt a wave of joy and relief—it was hard to believe the money had actually arrived! My mind immediately went to my animals and the needs at home. I decided the first thing I would do was buy iron sheets to build a proper store. This store would allow me to safely keep animal feed and food supplies, giving us a secure place to store maize stalks that would keep my cows fed through the dry seasons. Knowing I could finally make this happen filled me with a sense of purpose and excitement." (Country: Kenya)