"With a son in school, my greatest priority for the coming year and beyond is to ensure that he completes his education and I am very much committed to supporting his studies. To achieve this, I plan to continue dedicating a portion of my transfers from GiveDirectly to paying his school fees. Unfortunately, my husband and I have been unwell for some time, and managing our health has become a significant challenge due to financial constraints. To address this, I will use a portion of my transfers to purchase the monthly medicines we need to improve our well-being and lead a normal life just like our fellows in our community. Additionally, the drought in our region has been so bad, bringing hunger and uncertainty into our lives. To ensure my family has enough to eat, I intend to continue using part of the transfers to buy food until the rains come and we are able to harvest enough to sustain ourselves. Also, looking ahead, I am determined to build a more sustainable future. Once we receive rain and are able to secure enough food to last us for a longer period, I plan to save a larger portion of the transfers and invest in purchasing more goats, with the hope that they will multiply and grow in value. This approach is my way of securing a reliable and lasting source of income for the future, especially when this program eventually comes to an end. I am deeply grateful for the cash support from GiveDirectly."

"This year, my goal is to expand my goat herd, as goats have proven to be a valuable asset in my village. Additionally, I plan to invest in poultry farming since chickens have a ready market and can provide a financial safety net in the future. To achieve this, I intend to save diligently from my upcoming transfers to increase my goat numbers, which I can later sell for profit. I am deeply grateful for the financial assistance I have received, which has helped me support my family. With continued support from these transfers and by joining a savings group to facilitate the purchase of goats and investment in poultry farming, I am optimistic about achieving my goals and securing a stable financial future. Furthermore, while focusing on these projects, I am committed to ensuring my children receive a proper education by consistently paying their school fees on time."

"Currently, I have a total of 26 goats, 14 of which I acquired through the transfers I have been receiving from GiveDirectly. My dream is to continue buying more goats using these transfers so that I can grow a large herd. In the future, I plan to sell some of the goats to purchase a piece of land and build rental houses. I am confident this dream will come true because goats reproduce quickly, ensuring my herd grows significantly within a short time. Once I achieve this goal, I will be able to provide for my family with ease and pay for my children's education as they advance to higher levels, which will require substantial financial support."

"Currently, I have four goats that I purchased a few months ago using the transfers I received from this organization. I now have a new goal: to save enough through my savings group to buy more goats. I have been setting aside $20 from my monthly transfers toward this goal. Once I achieve it, I plan to trade the goats for oxen. These oxen will help me prepare my land during the rainy season and can also be rented out for additional income. I believe that with the assistance of oxen, my harvests will improve significantly. This will not only allow me to sell surplus crops but also provide enough for my family’s needs. Moreover, these plans will offer financial support during challenging times, particularly when it comes to paying for my children’s education. Ensuring my children have a smooth and fulfilling school experience is a priority for me."

"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."

"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."

"I am currently in college pursuing a certificate course in Cosmetology. As I continue pursuing my studies with the goal of completing my course in 2026, I am steadfast in my determination to see this journey through. My plan is to use a portion of my transfers to pay for my school fees, ensuring I remain on track to achieve my dream. Once I graduate, my vision is to open a vibrant cosmetics store where I will sell beauty products and provide professional services. This store will be my source of income, a platform to further enhance my skills, and a stepping stone to building a fulfilling career. I am eager to create a space that reflects my passion and allows me to share it with others. Alongside my studies, I plan to invest in a small poultry venture by using another portion of my transfers to purchase chickens. My hope is that they will multiply, increasing both in number and value. The proceeds from selling them will serve as an additional source of income to support my education and future goals. I am filled with hope for a brighter future. Each step I take brings me closer to creating a life filled with opportunity, growth, and purpose. I am deeply grateful for the support that has made all this possible, and I am ready to make the most of it."

"My two children are set to join high school in the coming term, and another is already in high school. I have set aside $150 for their school fees, which I plan to combine with my final transfer to cover the total cost. Education is very important to me, and I want to ensure that my children can continue their studies without interruption. Additionally, many of our household items were worn out, particularly the utensils, to the point where I could no longer serve a visitor comfortably. Our furniture was also scarce for our family of six. I spent $88 on new furniture and utensils. Furthermore, food has been a challenge, as our reliance on crop farming this year did not pay off; we lost our crops to the floods. As someone with a disability, I could not contribute much physically, so I had to rely on my wife to manage things. I spent $50 on food to ensure we had enough to eat for the time being. Goat farming does well in our area, so I decided to invest in it for the future. I had sold all my goats to cover school fees, but knowing how much they had helped me in the past, I spent $50 to buy a new goat. I know that with time, it will grow and provide an additional source of income to help with school fees and other needs. Finally, I used the remaining funds to invest in farming. I planted maize on my two acres of land, hoping it will help us recover the losses we experienced this year. If the maize succeeds, it will provide us with income to support my children’s education, add more livestock as my resources grow, and continue crop farming. Thank you, GiveDirectly."

"GiveDirectly excels in delivering aid with kindness and respect. The enrollment process was conducted at the household level, ensuring privacy and dignity for each recipient. The unconditional cash transfers have been instrumental in improving our lives, allowing us to plan and allocate the funds according to our diverse needs. These transfers are sent directly to our phones, with proper education on Mpesa security, including the importance of keeping our Mpesa PIN secret to prevent theft. I have no suggestions for improvement, only gratitude for the positive impact GiveDirectly has made in our community."

"GiveDirectly does an excellent job supporting the poor, and one of their key strengths is the peaceful manner in which they enter communities. By fostering harmony, they ensure that no issues arise from the support they provide, creating a sense of trust among recipients. Their operations are well-organized and consistent across all villages, making the process smooth and reliable for everyone involved. Additionally, their education on wise spending has been instrumental in helping recipients manage the money responsibly, avoiding illegal activities or misuse. I see no areas for improvement at the moment; GiveDirectly should continue with the same approach, as it has been highly effective."