"I’m hoping that in the next year, I will have moved out of the place I currently live in. To make that happen, I need to finish paying for the piece of land I’ve been working towards and begin construction on my new house. With the third transfer I’ll receive, I’m going to use half of it to clear the balance on the land. That way, I can finally call it mine and start working on the house. Once the beans in the farm are ready, I’ll sell them and use the money to fund the building. It’s going to be a slow process, but one step at a time, I know I’ll get there. I am very determined and optimistic and also aware of the challenges ahead but fully committed to seeing this dream through." (Country: Kenya)

"Once the melons are ready, I want to build a house on a plot I bought some time back. Where I’m currently staying, it floods a lot, especially during heavy rains, and honestly, I’m tired of dealing with it. I bought half an acre of land a while ago, and it’s about time I put it to use. I’ve just been holding off, waiting for the right moment, but I think this is it. The idea is to use the income from the melon harvest to kick start the construction. It doesn’t need to be extravagant—just something sturdy and reliable, something I can call my own without worrying about floods every rainy season. That piece of land has been sitting idle long enough. I’m ready to finally make it count." (Country: Kenya)

"First on my list is buying a piece of land, about 50 by 100 feet. The place where I’m currently staying tends to flood when the rains come, and it’s been a real problem for a while now. It’s just not sustainable and I need a more stable place, somewhere I don’t have to worry about every time the clouds start gathering. Farming has always been my main way of raising money, and I’m banking on the next harvest to help me take that big step towards buying the land. I’ve put so much effort into my crops, and I’m hopeful that this coming season will be a good one. On top of that, I’ve also been planting vegetables to sell, and that’s going to contribute as well. It’s smaller scale, but every little bit counts. Between the vegetables and the harvest from the larger crops, I believe I’ll be able to gather enough to finally buy that piece of land. It’s a lot of work, but I’m determined to make it happen this coming year." (Country: Kenya)

"In the upcoming year and beyond, my plan is to open my own sewing shop. I’ve already ordered a machine from Mombasa and paid for it using the savings I accumulated through our merry-go-round group. With my coursework complete, I’m ready to launch the shop, which will provide an income to support my family. I also plan to rent a nearby space and stock additional items to sell alongside my tailoring services. I’ve purchased the sewing machine and am currently awaiting its arrival. Once it arrives, I will open the shop and start this new chapter. I'm truly grateful to GiveDirectly for their support, which has renewed my optimism in achieving this goal. Additionally, I plan to invest in farming tools, including a bull for ploughing, and I’m saving for this through the same merry-go-round group. I am optimistic about achieving my goals before the transfers come to an end." (Country: Kenya)

"I have a wife at home, but, well, I haven’t paid her dowry yet. It’s something that’s been weighing on me for a while now. You know, it’s not that I don’t want to—I do. I want to honor her family and make everything official. But, life… life hasn’t been easy. Right now, where we’re staying, every time it rains heavily, we’re on edge because of the flooding. I plan that once the tomatoes I planted are ready, I’ll sell them off and use the money to buy a small piece of land. That’s my ticket to moving out of this place and into somewhere better—somewhere safe. After that, I’ll keep planting, keep working hard. Once we’re settled and life feels a bit more stable, I’ll finally take the step I’ve been meaning to take for a while. I’ll pay the dowry which is important to all of us and I want to do it right, make our marriage official in the way it should be. We’ve been through a lot together, and I want to honor her properly." (Country: Kenya)

"First, I want to ensure that I’ve moved to the new piece of land where I’ve already made a deposit. It’s a big step for me because this land is something I’ve been saving for. My plan is to build a house there and relocate, finally having a place of my own that I can really call home. Luckily, I’ll be using the last of the GiveDirectly transfers I’m receiving to help sort out the costs of building. It’s a blessing to have that support, and I know it will make a big difference. On top of that, I’ve already planted an acre of beans. It’s hard work, but I’m hopeful. If all goes well and I get a good harvest, I plan to sell the beans and use the money to buy goats. I’ve thought about this a lot, and I know goats are easy to maintain. Plus, they’re a solid investment. Over time, I can sell some of them to cover important expenses, especially school fees for my children. That’s really my long-term focus—making sure I have enough resources for my kids’ education. It’s a lot to take on, but I’m feeling positive about it all." (Country: Kenya)

"Since my husband passed away two years ago, I’ve had to take on the full responsibility of covering our children’s school fees, clothing, food, and other essentials. The house was already in poor condition when he passed, and it’s been a struggle to meet all their needs with the limited profits from my charcoal business. With the recent increase in the cost of basic commodities, the situation has become even more difficult. My children were often sent home for unpaid fees, so I decided to dedicate all my transfers toward paying their school fees. Renovating the house is my second priority. Although I replaced the roof, the house is still unsafe as the cracked walls let in insects and rain. My immediate goal is to rebuild the walls, and I plan to save $4 each month to buy construction materials. I can’t save more than that right now due to other basic needs. Once my children finish their education, I intend to invest in goat and chicken rearing projects. These projects will generate more income, as they multiply when well taken care of, increasing their financial value. I'm confident that once these projects are established, they will provide security. In case of a financial crisis, I’ll be able to sell some animals to support my family." (Country: Kenya)

"Moving forward, my primary focus is to use my transfers to help my child, who has a deformed leg. I am determined to ensure that he receives the necessary medical attention so that he can have a good leg and enjoy a normal life like other children. In addition to my child's medical care, I plan to use part of the transfers to buy goats. My hope is that these goats will multiply and increase in number over time. I then intend to trade some of the goats for cows, which I can train to help plow my farm. In the future, I may be able to sell some of the cows as they multiply and use the proceeds to fund my children's education. I am excited to see these plans come to fruition with the help of the transfers I receive from GiveDirectly, and I am hopeful that I will be able to provide my children with the best possible opportunities." (Country: Kenya)

"My plan for the coming year is to plant beans on 2 acres of land within the Eldume Irrigation Scheme. You know, it's the perfect time to plant beans—the conditions are ideal, and the scheme has provided us with good, quality seeds. I'm really hopeful that this will turn out well. If everything goes as expected and I get a good harvest, I can sell the beans at $100 per bag. That money would be a huge help, especially when it comes to paying school fees. I have eight children, you see, and two of them are in secondary school now. The costs are really starting to add up. I’ve been managing to pay their fees by selling my cows. It’s not easy, and I’m now down to just one cow, which I’m keeping mainly for milk to feed my family. But I can’t keep selling livestock forever. That’s why I’m really banking on this new source of income from the beans. If all goes well, I won’t have to keep sacrificing what little livestock I have left. It’s my way of securing a more stable life for all of us." (Country: Kenya)

"Having a sustainable source of income is our main aim with the transfers. I plan on starting a poultry farming business at a cost of $500. This includes building a poultry house and purchasing 150 chicks from which I project on earning monthly from the sale of eggs. I am happy because the transfers have come at a time I needed most and our lives will change for the better." (Country: Kenya)