"I was at home with my husband when I saw a message on my phone saying that GiveDirectly had sent me $180. I felt an overwhelming wave of happiness wash over me. My first thought was to go to the bank and withdraw the cash so I could hold it in my hands. The idea of having that money physically felt so reassuring and exciting. I couldn’t wait to see how this support would improve our lives and address our pressing needs. Holding the money would make it feel real, and I was filled with hope for the future." (Country: Kenya)

"It was in the morning when a message popped up on my phone. When I read it, I saw that GiveDirectly had sent me $200. This transformed my entire day! I was so happy and grateful for this support. My first thought was to go food shopping, as I wanted to make sure my family had enough to eat. The news brought me joy, and I felt a renewed sense of hope for the future." (Country: Kenya)

"For this year and the years to come, my primary goal is to stay focused on farming. I believe that farming will provide the necessary capital to boost my business and increase my sources of income. With this additional income, I can give my family the kind of life I desire, filled with comfort and opportunities. I want to become a remarkable woman and mother who can support her children and help them achieve their dreams. By dedicating myself to farming and my business, I am building a better future for my family and myself." (Country: Kenya)

"Now that I have a generator, my goal is to buy more pipes so I can pump water from a longer distance. This will allow me to irrigate my farm more effectively and help ensure that my farming venture is sustainable. I am excited about the possibilities this brings, as it will improve my crop yields and provide more food for my family. The thought of expanding my farming capabilities fills me with joy, and I feel hopeful about the future. I am incredibly grateful to GiveDirectly for their support, which has made this life upgrade possible." (Country: Kenya)

"Moving forward, I want to transform my farming, which is why my goal for this year is to invest in a generator and essential water pipes for irrigation. With these tools, I’ll be able to water my farm reliably, giving my crops a better chance to thrive. I believe that, along with the income from livestock, this will provide enough food and money for my family. This approach will help me avoid taking loans in the future, as they can be expensive and stressful in the long run. Having a self-sustaining farm brings me hope for a stable and secure future for my family." (Country: Kenya)

"With the constant risk of flooding in my area, my main goal moving forward is to relocate to a safer place. I plan to use the last GiveDirectly transfer to make this happen. I’ll move my family to higher ground, where we will be much safer from floods. The thought of this fills me with gratitude, knowing that my family will finally be safe, and the danger of flooding will be permanently reduced. This opportunity gives me great peace of mind, and I am thankful for the chance to create a more secure future for my family." (Country: Kenya)

"I am planning to focus on farming this year and in the years to come. However, I will first wait for the last transfer from GiveDirectly to lease some land to start the farming. With this new source of income, I will be able to pay my children’s school fees and reinvest back into the farm, allowing it to grow into a sustainable source of income for my family. The thought of this fills me with hope, as I can see myself reaching a new level of stability and growth. Farming will not only improve our lives but also give my family the security and opportunities we have always dreamed of." (Country: Kenya)

"As a family of three, we depend on fish farming to earn a living. However, sometimes we run into losses because the fish can sometimes go bad or even you lack a customer. Therefore one will dispose of them. Now I hope to get a backup plan to fish trading, I plan on adding more goats to my current herd therefore secure a future for my family. I plan on spending KES 25000 on purchasing 5 goats. I also plan on spending 70000 on clearing school fees for my grandson in college. This will help him stay in school without worrying about being sent away to collect fees. I will be glad to continue with my fish business while diverting the profits to other family issues." (Country: Kenya)

"Having worked in the construction sector for the past 4 years as a hands man I have gained a passion of upgrading myself to a mason .I plan to join a Technical vocational training institute where I can get a certification.This will enable me gain trust from contractors as well as give me an opportunity to be in charge of others.My daily incomes will also increase." (Country: Kenya)

"We have a family boat providing transport services in Lake Baringo. This is our main source of family income, it is unfortunate that for the last one year the business has been performing poorly. I am planning to shift to commercial fishing. When I receive my transfers from GiveDirectly, I will use $150 to buy quality fishing nets and tap more income from fishing. I am that with these transfers from GiveDirectly, I see my dream of livestock farming coming true. I plan to set aside $150 to purchase ten goats. Additionally, I am planning to spend $230 of my transfers to pay school fees for my grandson Luis Kemboi who is studying in Moi Kabartonjo secondary school." (Country: Kenya)