"I currently don’t have even a single goat in my compound, which is something I’ve always wished to change. Goats are incredibly helpful, especially in times of financial need. That’s why my new goal is to own as many goats as possible, which I will keep in my compound. However, buying them all at once is challenging since my main source of income, a college business, is no longer as profitable as it used to be. To achieve this goal, I’ve decided to join a savings group where I contribute $20 every month from the transfers. This will help me gradually save enough to start purchasing goats. Once I own them, I believe a lot of my financial stress will disappear. Even if this program ends, I’ll have a reliable source of income because I can sell some goats when needed and continue supporting my family. Additionally, the goats will be a great asset in helping me educate my children. Soon, they will be joining secondary school, and I’ll need to be financially prepared to support their educational journey." (Occupation: Small business)

"I completed my secondary school education in 2021. Since my parents are casual laborers, they cannot afford my college fees, which is why I haven’t joined college yet. However, I am optimistic that with the transfers from GiveDirectly, I will save enough money to pursue my dream of studying hospitality. I had hoped to start college this year, but the money I saved wasn’t enough. Therefore, I plan to continue saving and investing in poultry and goat rearing projects. I am confident that if these projects succeed, I will raise the funds needed to begin my college education. I aspire to study ICT, inspired by my uncle, who has been successful in this field. With my savings and income from my goat investment, I believe I can afford my school fees and fully focus on my studies. My goal is to excel academically, earn good grades, and eventually start my own business after graduation to secure a better future."

"As my family continues to grow, our home is becoming small, and cannot accommodate us comfortably. For a long time, I have dreamed of expanding our house to provide more space and a better living environment. However, life has had other priorities, and I had to put this plan on hold to address more pressing needs. One of those needs was supporting my husband in acquiring a motorcycle to start a taxi business giving him a way to earn a stable income and help support our family. Now that this goal has been achieved, I am excited to refocus on my dream of expanding our home. My plan is to add one more room, creating the space we so desperately need. To make this happen, I have been diligently saving a portion of my transfers from GiveDirectly. Recently, I set saved $72 of my transfers, bringing me closer to the day when I can finally begin construction on this much-needed project. I used the remaining $30 of my transfers to buy food for my family. With the ongoing drought and hunger affecting our community, ensuring that my family has enough to eat is a top priority, and this support has made it possible. I am deeply grateful for the assistance from GiveDirectly. It has allowed me to address both immediate and long-term needs, giving me hope for a brighter future where my family can live comfortably and thrive." (Occupation: Small business)

"Joining a driving school has always been a dream of mine, as I know the skills that I am going to gain will be invaluable for my future because I believe that they will open opportunities for me. To bring this dream to life, I have been diligently saving a portion of my transfers, with the hope of enrolling early next year. My initial plan was to join this year, but life had other plans. I fell ill and had to prioritize my health, using the money I had saved to cover my hospital bills. Although it was a setback, I am deeply thankful to have regained my health, and I am now more determined than ever to pursue this goal. Looking ahead, I am filled with hope and excitement at the thought of finally enrolling in driving school next year. Once I complete the course, I plan to continue saving a portion of my transfers to start a small kiosk selling fast-moving consumer goods. This business will provide a means to support my family while I seek opportunities to put my new skills to use. I am profoundly grateful for the support I have received, as it has not only helped me through challenging times but also reignited my hope for a brighter future. This assistance is truly a stepping stone toward a better life, and I am committed to making the most of it."

"I constructed a kiosk and bought a few items to start with using my second transfer. However, I didn’t finish installing the shelves, which makes it difficult to display and store the items properly. Additionally, the limited stock, due to financial constraints, means we often run out of products that customers request. As a result, they come and leave without purchasing everything they need. I plan to use my final transfer to complete the shelves and add more stock, allowing me to better serve my customers and grow my business"

"Getting constant profits from my small business of vending food in the village has brought happiness to our lives. In the last six months, God has been on our side owing to the fact that my business has been doing good. We can afford to have a balanced diet food unlike before when the business had not flourished when we used to have anything that can fill our stomachs."

"Food inavailability is our biggest challenge. We mainly depend on livestock farming, more specifically goats. They breed well but cannot sustain our family continuously for long. Hence we may sometimes lack food due to inadequate funds to purchase. Farming is a no go zone here due to the long droughts and rocky landscape. My husband does a motorcycle taxi business, sometimes he may not get enough money for food. It leads to food shortage or us skipping means. It has made our lives difficult as a family."

"My primary goal for the coming year and beyond is to significantly improve my health. To achieve this, I plan to use a portion of my transfers to seek better medical care from qualified health practitioners. Accessing quality healthcare will ensure that my health continues to improve and I can recover fully. In addition, I intend to use my transfers to maintain a steady supply of food. Consistent and nutritious meals are essential for my recovery, as they will help me maintain my strength and overall wellbeing. I am deeply appreciative of the financial support, which is enabling me to prioritize my health and access the resources I need for a better recovery. This support has given me hope and the means to work towards a healthier and more stable future." (Occupation: Small business)

"Receiving these cash transfers will be a transformative milestone for my family’s economic stability, as we have long struggled to provide even the most basic necessities due to the absence of a steady income. My foremost priority upon receiving the funds will be to purchase food and essential household items such as mattresses, chairs, and utensils. Additionally, I plan to invest in livestock and poultry farming as a business venture to secure a sustainable future for my family." (Occupation: Small business)

"Having worked in the ice vending service for the past 3 months , I have realized that being my own boss is the biggest reward I can give myself.I have learned to plan the day's work ,do the business as it pleases me and earn the profits for myself.The lack of deep freezers for the ice has been my greatest worry.Nevetheless, I am glad that these transfers will enable me buy one freezer worth KES 45000,rent a place in the town worth KES 3000 monthly.With the remaining amount I will be able to purchase cooler boxes that will enable me transport ice for sale in social gatherings."