"Buying livestock" (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"Driven by the awareness of the distance between my village and existing shops, I, as a motorcycle driver, am determined to open a shop within my community. Through dedicated savings and unwavering determination, I am steadily working towards turning this vision into a reality. Every fare and hard-earned income fuels my passion and brings me closer to accumulating the necessary funds. Challenges along the way serve as stepping stones for growth, and I embrace them wholeheartedly. With a focused mindset and astute financial management, I am paving the way for a future where my shop will bridge the gap between convenience and distance, fostering community and prosperity within my village."

"My goal is to start a retail shop business. With a large family of 14, my wife and I have been struggling to make ends meet, but it had never been that easy owing to the fact that we do not have a reliable source of income. I would want to have another income-generating activity to boost the little income that we get. I would require a capital of $30 and my plan is therefore to continue saving part of my monthly transfers so that by the start of next year, I shall have started the business. By establishing a retail shop, I aim to provide for my family's needs more comfortably and create a stable and sustainable source of income for the future." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"For the coming years and beyond, my plan is to expand my investment in goats, as this venture does well in arid areas like Baringo. To achieve this, I am having a savings strategy where I am setting aside at least $3 daily from the income I earn through my motorcycle riding business. By consistently saving a portion of my earnings, I will gradually accumulate the necessary funds to buy more goats."

"My goal is to join a driving school. Despite completing my primary education, I faced financial constraints that prevented me from pursuing further studies. However, I am determined to overcome this obstacle by diligently saving a portion of my income. By August of this year, I aim to have accumulated enough funds to enroll in the driving school which requires approximately $180 for the course fees and I am confident that I will achieve this goal and acquire the necessary skills to enhance my future prospects." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"We are a young family of 3 and struggling to make ends meet especially in terms of food insecurity. My husband used to work with Kenya Wildlife Service as a scout supporting the rangers albeit on a contractual basis. The contract elapsed in February and it made our lives a bit difficult because we could no longer get the constant source of income. He tried a hand in the motorcycle business but it has not been sustainable since we took it on a loan and we have been struggling to pay it back. It has strained us a lot since the little we get goes towards loan repayment and other competing needs."

"I was in a financially desperate situation when GiveDirectly sent me the much-needed money. Paying for my children's school fees had become an overwhelming challenge, especially since my previous source of income, charcoal burning, was no longer viable due to the scarcity of trees. My husband's income as a motorcycle rider was insufficient to meet our needs. As a result, my five school-going children had been forced to stay at home until I could gather the funds. Furthermore, the recent rain after a prolonged drought presented an opportunity for farming, but I lacked the funds to pursue it. However, upon receiving the transfers, I felt a tremendous sense of relief. I allocated $14 among my children, allowing them to return to school, and used the remaining $20 for farming. I am immensely grateful to GiveDirectly for their invaluable support."

"My goal is to provide a spacious and comfortable living environment for my large family of 10 by owning a two-roomed iron sheet house. Currently residing in a small, grass-thatched house that is not in good shape, I am determined to improve our living conditions. To achieve this, I will continue to save diligently and aim to build the new house by the end of this year, once I have accumulated a sufficient amount of funds." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"Currently, I possess a bull that I intend to sell for approximately $300. While this amount may not be sufficient, my goal is to supplement the transfer funds in order to purchase a motorcycle taxi. To achieve this, I aim to raise around $700, which would enable me to acquire a reliable secondhand motorcycle capable of generating additional income through transportation services. This investment would provide a sustainable source of revenue and contribute to the overall improvement of my financial situation."

"After collecting the money, I had a lot on my plate, but my first priority was addressing the food shortage that had been weighing on my family. I immediately purchased a sack of maize for $65 and 5 kg of beans for $10, factoring in a transportation cost of $2 to bring them home. The following day, I spent $30 on paying my son's boarding school fees, ensuring his education continued uninterrupted, as has been the case in previous terms. With the remaining funds, I decided to invest in repairing my motorcycle, purchasing a new tire for $30 and new oil for $5, allowing me to use it efficiently for transportation within the local shopping center. Recognizing the opportunity for additional income, I bought 1000 tomato seedlings for $38 and hired labor for $5 to plant them. I am glad they are doing well and hope for a bumper harvest in the next few weeks. Finally, I utilized the remaining $15 to purchase other necessary household goods, ensuring our basic needs were met." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)