"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)

"The first transfer arrived at a time when I had already outlined my spending priorities. My compound was constantly invaded by neighboring livestock, leaving droppings on my veranda, especially during rainy days, so I knew it was time for a change. I decided to purchase three chain links, each costing $27. With the existing poles in place, I am delighted to have a lockable gate that effectively keeps the intrusive animals away, only granting access to authorized individuals. I also purchased 10 kg of dry maize grains for $9 and 5 kg of beans for $10, ensuring I had enough food to sustain myself since I live alone. Additionally, I spent $35 on repairing my motorcycle, focusing on replacing the rear wheel dampers. I am thrilled that the repairs were successful, enabling me to provide water transport services upon request, generating a daily income of at least $5. Moreover, I gave my wardrobe a much-needed facelift. I invested $13 in two pairs of trousers and $7 in two new shirts, replacing my worn-out and tattered clothing. This boosted my sense of confidence and ensured I had presentable attire for various occasions. I set aside the remaining amount to cover fuel expenses and weekly repairs, further enhancing my transportation business. This strategic decision has allowed me to expand my services and cater to the needs of the community more effectively." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"The greatest challenge I'm facing which is making my life very hard is climate change. In the past three months, I have replanted my farm twice since rain is unpredictable and now my farm is bare. This is financially straining for me because I used money to plant and yet all crops wilted and died eventually. Climate change has made it difficult for me to provide food for my family since for the past three years we have not been able to harvest anything from our farms. This has made my life very difficult since buying food is costly and yet I don't have a constant source of income." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)