"I was at work doing casual labor, and I had left my phone charging. When I came back and switched it on, I heard a message notification, but since I don’t know how to read, I asked my children to read it for me. They told me it was money from GiveDirectly, and I couldn’t believe it—I felt so happy! The first thing that came to mind was how I could now finally buy furniture, something I had been dreaming of for a long time." (Country: Kenya)

"I want to buy a 50 by 100 plot, somewhere away from where I currently stay, so that I can move out. I am already living on a similar-sized piece of land, but I want to increase the space and secure a new location for the future. To raise the money for this new plot, I’ve leased a farm, and I’m planning to plant maize. Once I harvest, I’ll sell the maize and use that money to buy the new land. I am optimistic about the plan, confident that the maize would bring in enough funds to make this dream a reality." (Country: Kenya)

"I woke up at 5 AM to switch on my phone, which I always turn off before going to bed, and the first thing I saw was a message saying I had received money from GiveDirectly! I couldn’t believe it—I was so excited. It was still early, and my children were getting ready for school, so I told them right away, and they were just as happy as I was. I’ve always wanted to own sheep, and the first thing that came to my mind was that now I could finally buy one!" (Country: Kenya)

"Receiving this money will enable me to purchase some livestock, lease land and plant some foodstuff so that I can address my food challenges. I am now old and therefore the transfers will enable me to live a healthy lifestyle. I am grateful for considering me in this program" (Country: Kenya)

"I work as a mechanic in Mombasa, but my limited earnings make it challenging to support my family. I rely on my GiveDirectly transfers alongside my job income to help cover rent, purchase food, and care for my loved ones. Due to my financial circumstances, I need to explore additional ways to generate income. I've been considering animal husbandry to increase my earnings. At present, I have 5 goats and around 20 chickens, which I can sell for extra cash during financial emergencies. In the upcoming year and beyond, I plan to invest more in goat farming. My goal is to acquire additional animals so they can breed and produce even more. This venture will provide me with financial security for the future, as I can sell the animals if I face any financial challenges to support my family." (Country: Kenya)

"In the coming year, I have some important plans. I want to fence my compound and build a granary for my farm produce. I believe it is good to stay in a secure place, and a fence will help with that. I plan to use the money I get from my teaching job. This money will help me raise enough for the fencing and to construct a store. With the store, I will have a safe place to store my farm inputs. This way, I can keep everything organized and protected. Overall, I hope to create a better and more secure environment for my farm and my family." (Country: Kenya)

"Next year, I’m hoping to make some changes and focus more on maize farming. It’s the only real way for us to get by around here, and if we want to survive, it’s where I need to put my energy. I was lucky enough to hear from Kenya Seed, and they’ve promised to provide some seeds for us. With that kind of support, I’m thinking of plowing 4.5 acres of land—half for maize and the other half for tomatoes. To raise the money I need for plowing, planting, and all the rest, I’ve decided to sell two of my cows. With 15 cows, parting with two of them shouldn’t be too much of a strain. By this time next year, if all goes as planned, I’ll have a good crop in the ground, and we’ll hopefully be better off." (Country: Kenya)

"My primary goal is to attend college and study building and construction. With my parents out of work and relying on peasant farming, I’ve taken it upon myself to work hard in my second-hand clothing business to save for my college fees. I remain optimistic that I can reach this goal with the support from GiveDirectly. Once I've saved enough, I plan to pass my business on to my sister, who has finished high school but hasn’t found a way to enroll in college despite her passing grades. After I complete my course, I intend to help her with her college education." (Country: Kenya)

"My goal is to build my own house within the next year and beyond. I've already purchased iron sheets, building poles, and some essential materials, which is a positive step forward. I just need a few more items to kick off the construction. My plan is to use my transfers to buy all the necessary materials and start the building as soon as possible. Right now, I'm in college pursuing a mechanics course, and I hope to finish in about a year. I also need to acquire some equipment to set up my workshop. Therefore, my plans include completing the construction of my house before using my transfers to invest in these tools. Ultimately, I aim to be employed for a while to save up for my own garage." (Country: Kenya)

"After the flooding, I had given up on farming. I’d watched my fields drown, seen the work of my hands wash away, and for a long time, I just couldn’t imagine going back. But lately, something in me has shifted, and I've realized that I'm ready to start again. So, here I am, thinking of returning to farming, with a focus on maize, beans, and vegetable crops. These are the things we need most—things my family relies on for both food and income. The hope is that, this time around, I can make it work. I want to use the upcoming 3rd transfer as my starting point, to buy seeds, and start planting again. This time, I see it not just as work but as an investment. I keep telling myself, Once I harvest, I’ll finally have the resources to support my family. And it’s not just about food; I want to be able to cover school fees, to give my children a chance to learn and grow, without worrying about where the next meal will come from." (Country: Kenya)