"My primary focus at the moment is to settle the long-standing school fees debt, which has been pending since I graduated from high school in 2018. This debt, totaling $200, needs to be paid off to obtain my academic certificates, which, in turn, will allow me to enroll in a masonry college. These certificates are a prerequisite for college admission, and without them, I cannot pursue my passion for masonry professionally. Despite the financial constraints, especially related to supporting my mother in paying my sister's school fees, I am determined to achieve this goal. I have gained valuable foundational skills in masonry through the casual jobs I've taken in house construction, and my dream is to receive professional training in college. I hope that by early next year, I will have accumulated enough funds to settle the pending tuition fees at my previous high school, enabling me to take significant steps toward realizing my passion and career goals." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"In just a few short months, I hope to have completed the $640 motorcycle loan and fully own it. It is a monumental achievement, one that fills me with pride and a sense of financial freedom. With this milestone on the horizon, I am now looking toward the future with a new goal in mind. I plan to venture into the grocery business right here in our village. It is a move that feels both exciting and practical. To make this dream a reality, I am considering taking a loan from the table banking company. It is a group that has supported many individuals in our community, and I believe their assistance could be instrumental in getting my grocery business off the ground. It is a decision I do not take lightly, but I see it as a strategic step toward expanding my income sources and providing better opportunities for my family. Additionally, I have been blessed with an incredible gift: my aunt has generously given me one acre of land situated on the shore of the river. This location offers easy access to water, a precious resource for growing tomatoes and vegetables. It is a chance to not only contribute to the local food supply but also to generate additional income." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"My husband, Chengo, runs a clothing business, a venture he opened with the first transfers and on which the family of four depends. He would often spend a significant portion of his earnings on transportation to reach his customers. It was a hurdle that hindered the business's growth potential. We both understood that a motorcycle could be the game-changer, the key to unlocking new opportunities and expanding the business's reach. However, with finances being a pitfall, we never purchased anything until the transfers arrived. When we received the transfers, we used them all to purchase a second-hand motorcycle. I am glad the motorcycle has not only improved our financial situation but also brought a sense of security and stability into our lives."

"We have two children in primary school, I allocated $15 to cover their school fees. Our primary source of income mainly comes from the transfers. My husband works as a casual laborer, primarily operating a motorcycle. In addition to this, I generate income by selling pastry snacks, contributing $4 to our family's finances, which I use to meet other school-related expenses. I then spent $10 to buy food for my household, since we'd been struggling to afford three meals a day before receiving the transfer. Lastly, I bought school uniforms for my children and a T-shirt for myself with the remaining $9."

"In the coming year, one of my main objectives is to support my son in renovating his severely deteriorated house, which is on the verge of collapsing. Due to his occupation as a motorcycle taxi driver, his income is quite meager, making it difficult for him to invest in rebuilding his home. To aid him in this endeavor, I plan to provide assistance by purchasing the necessary building materials, thus ensuring that he has a safe and comfortable residence. The positive impact of the money I have received fills me with great joy, as it has not only improved my own life but also allows me the opportunity to extend help and support to my loved ones."

"I have family if three though currently they are at Malindi. My wife was taken back to her maternal home because I have not paid the bride price or dowry. I do casual jobs earning approximately $80 per month which caters for food and school fees for my daughter at Malindi. I lack the capacity to get enough money to pay the bride price. My desire is to bring my wife back and move on with life together. I will use $500 to pay bride price for my wife. This will help me get my wife back. I will also use $600 to buy another motorcycle for business in the village. This will help me get a daily income."

"Upon receiving our first transfer, my wife and I decided to invest the money in building a goat pen. This decision stemmed from our desire to enhance our goat-rearing venture, with hopes of eventually reaping profitable returns. Our financial circumstances had previously posed challenges due to the nature of our work; I work as a rider, and my wife is a farmer. Our income was primarily allocated to covering our basic necessities. We have been blessed with one child, which added to our responsibilities. Therefore, I spent $150 towards constructing the goat pen and utilized the remaining funds to purchase essential food items. I am elated that I was able to realize my goal in such a short time frame, and for this, I am truly grateful." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"Being a farmer and with my husband relying on occasional motorcycle jobs, we often faced financial hardships. The second transfer has brought significant relief, allowing us to address our daily needs and pursue important projects. I allocated $110 from the transfer to secure food supplies for our family of eight. This was essential to ensuring a consistent and nutritious food source for our children's well-being. Furthermore, the transfers enabled us to begin realizing our dream of a larger and more comfortable house. Our current living space, consisting of a single room, is inadequate for our family's needs. We took the first step towards constructing a two-room dwelling, purchasing iron sheets worth $90. We are now awaiting the third transfer to continue the construction process. Additionally, I invested $50 in buying four chain links. Our goal is to establish a permanent fence on our two-acre land to protect our crops from the constant threat of domestic animals. I also used $50 to settle a food debt and $30 to purchase household items. To ensure our children have proper school uniforms, I allocated $50 to buy new ones, replacing their worn-out ones. I also acquired a ram using $60 to facilitate the breeding of my two female sheep." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"The arrival of the first transfer from GiveDirectly brought me immense joy. As I was grappling with various commitments, GiveDirectly has brought me hope since I enrolled. I received the first transfer around 3:00 p.m., while I was out operating my usual motorcycle taxi. Upon receiving the message, I promptly contacted my family to share the wonderful news, and their elation mirrored my own. The following day, I journeyed to the nearby shopping center, where I collected the entirety of the amount, marking a pivotal moment in our journey." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"Upon receiving my second transfer from GiveDirectly, I immediately addressed a pressing issue that had been causing me significant losses—animal intrusion on my farm, leading to crop destruction due to the absence of a perimeter fence. Prioritizing this concern, I invested $120 to purchase five chainlinks and successfully erected a robust fence that now ensures the safety of my crops in the upcoming planting season and promises improved harvests. I also repaired my motorcycle taxi business, which had been temporarily halted due to worn-out tires that I could not afford to replace. Allocating $40, I purchased and installed new tires, enabling me to resume offering transportation services to individuals and goods between the shopping center and various destinations. In addition, I allocated $12 to deworm my 29 goats and set aside $16 to acquire 20 poles for the construction of a goat house. To sustain my family's well-being, I used $70 to purchase essentials such as sugar and maize flour, which continue to be beneficial." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)