"We have established a local savings group known as "chama" with the primary goal of saving money on a monthly basis and distributing it among the participating members. The funds are then utilized for various projects depending on ones choice and needs. Our chama consists of eight members, each contributing $20. This results in a total monthly pool of $160, which is then given to a different member every month. In my case, I intend to make use of my share from the chama to purchase iron sheets and construct a new house. This becomes particularly necessary as our previous dwelling collapsed three months ago. Additionally, I allocated $7 to buy new clothes, which allows me to present myself in a presentable manner. With the remaining $7, I bought essential items such as soap, detergents, and sugar for the use of my family. The financial support I receive through the chama has proven to be immensely valuable to me. Given the challenges associated with my occupation as a motorcycle taxi driver, it is difficult for me to earn a sufficient income. However, the support I receive from the chama helps bridge the gap and enhances my financial stability."

"Since it started raining this year, life has been bearable. I wake up early go to the farm, get my family food and we cook and eat.In the midst of the harvest, I allocated $10 for a motorcycle to easily transport my maize from the farm to my home. That day I had harvested a lot and it became too heavy for me to carry so I opted for a means that will make my work easier.I, further spent $10 to grind maize, and bought soaps and lotions with $4 for my family that really made them happy. The remaining $10 flourished into an investment in the future, nurturing young minds through primary school fees. Thank you so much GiveDirectly for the unconditional transfers."

"\ I have a plan to establish a vegetable-selling business within our village. Currently, there is a high demand for vegetables due to the abundant maize harvest from local farms. To manage the business, I intend to entrust my wife with its operations, while I continue working as a motorcycle taxi driver. This business will serve as an additional source of income to complement my job and help us meet our financial needs. I am incredibly thankful for the financial support that has significantly contributed to improving my life."

"I am now experiencing a sense of relief after completing the payment for my motorcycle, which I initially purchased under hire purchase terms. This feeling of ownership has been made possible by the consistent and unconditional monthly transfers I receive from Give Directly. I am immensely grateful for their support. With a diligent approach to managing my finances, I have been able to save my August transfer in addition to my existing savings, which now amount to $150. This accumulated amount presents an opportunity for me to invest in a bull, which will bring numerous benefits to my life. The acquisition of a bull holds great value for me as it will assist me in cultivating my land during the rainy season. Moreover, I can generate additional income by offering my services to cultivate other people's farms at a rate of $20 per acre. This not only ensures financial stability but also provides an avenue for growth and expansion. As the bull matures, I plan to sell it at a higher price, allowing me to make a substantial profit. This aspect of my investment strategy holds promising prospects for increased earnings and improved financial well-being. I cannot express enough how elated I am for the support provided through the transfers. They have been pivotal in helping me navigate through challenging times, especially when I would go to work and return without any earnings due to the nature of my job."

"Since February last year, my house has been in a deteriorated state, with sections of the roof covered in hard polythene paper. This has presented a significant challenge, particularly during rainfall, as water seeps inside the house. As a motorcycle taxi driver, my income is insufficient to allow me to construct a better home for my family. However, thanks to the financial transfers, I have been able to save a small amount of money each month. As a result, I have managed to purchase twelve pieces of iron sheets, which will be adequate to cover the roof of my new house. In the month of August, I utilized my entire transfer to acquire additional iron sheets. Now, my focus is on procuring building poles and other essential materials to commence the construction of the house at the earliest opportunity. I am immensely grateful for the crucial financial support that has assisted me in navigating through challenging situations when my income is insufficient. This assistance has been invaluable in my efforts to improve the living conditions for my family." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"Given the persistent adverse weather conditions that have existed for years, we have hoped to reside in proximity to a water source or, at the very least, acquire substantial water collection equipment capable of harnessing rainwater. This yearning has been a prevailing sentiment within my household, as we have perpetually experienced the financial strain of buying water deliveries via motorcycles. Looking ahead into the coming years, my ambition is to amass sufficient funds through livestock farming and my casual labor to facilitate the establishment of a piped water connection directly to my doorstep. This endeavor holds the potential to yield multiple benefits, spanning from household water consumption to supporting livestock rearing and irrigating a vegetable garden, thereby generating supplementary income by supplying vegetables to the local community."

"I transitioned into fully fledged poultry farming when a prolonged drought season left us unable to cultivate for sustenance. I purchased chicken in bits at $3 each, and now I own a flock of approximately 30-40. So with last months transfer, I allocated $15 for poultry feed and $10 for their vaccines due to a poultry disease outbreak. Within my household, there are five children and two wives; one of my wives is currently residing abroad. I spent $9 on food, primarily on vegetables and household essentials, following our recent maize harvest after the prolonged drought period. To supplement my income, I operate a motorcycle taxi business, contributing to my children's education fund. Although they are still in the early stages of schooling, my ultimate goal is to ensure the sustained availability of resources for their education." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"I hope to buy two dairy cows, to yield around 16 litres of milk every day, which I can sell at $0.8 per litre. I'm settling for two since their maintenance is costly and requires requires more attention. Additionally, I plan to own two male cows for ploughing purposes. Where I will be charging $25 for ploughing one acre of land, in a single day. Alongside these plans, I'm striving to save $5, so as to accumulate $15 by the end of the year so as enable my purchases." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"Building on my three years of experience in baking, my aspiration is to continue refining my skills, progressing from cakes to the category of bread production. At present, I am effectively distributing cakes using my two motorcycles along with an additional pair of rented bikes, servicing shops both within and beyond the county. Over the next one to two years, I aim to extend the scope of my venture by transitioning into bread manufacturing, achieved through the acquisition of an advanced oven capable of producing substantial quantities without compromising quality. As I proceed, I intend to accumulate savings from my current enterprise while embarking on educational visits to more advanced baking facilities. If circumstances permit, I also aim to hire an expert capable of producing a consistently high standard of quality that can compete effectively within the market."

"Upon receiving the final transfer, I allocated part of it towards realizing my desire for a sustainable venture that could provide ongoing support for my family beyond the scheduled three transfers. With this in mind, I combined the $450 I had received with the proceeds from selling some of my livestock, enabling me to acquire a secondhand motorcycle valued at $700. This motorcycle has consistently generated a daily income of at least $4 since then, a sustainable amount for my family of four. On certain days, I have even managed to save more than a dollar. Since the commencement of these transfers, I am pleased to have heavily invested in income-generating initiatives such as bee farming, goat farming, and providing transportation services using the motorcycle I obtained. In comparison to the past, when I relied on occasional manual labor, my current ventures are yielding greater returns, significantly improving my family's well-being."