"I currently live in a single room, the transfer will help me build a better house. A two bedroom house will make me happy. Plan to use about $700 to build it. It's easier for me since I'm a mason, it will definitely cost less. Motorcycles are the main means of transportation around this locality. We have a shortage of spares. There's only one shop around this area. It's something I plan to exploit. I will spend about $300 of the transfers to start the business. This business will help improve my income and livelihood."

"In the coming year, I plan to start a video business where people can gather to watch football. I learned the necessary skills from a friend and now have experience. I’ve already secured a business premise for this venture, but I still need to buy the equipment, finish some renovations, and add benches for seating. I’ve been doing casual jobs, which are ending soon, and I was able to use part of that income to renovate some areas, though some work remains to be completed over the next two months. I haven’t yet done a full cost estimate for the project setup though I am planning to do so very soon. Additionally, I’d like to expand goats rearing project as I already have some through the transfers, and to start purchasing chickens as part of my second business plan. I currently have 19 goats but haven’t yet started buying chickens. Once I successfully implement these two ideas, I’m confident that I’ll achieve financial stability to support my family even after the transfers end." (Occupation: Small business)

"I moved to the city in search of better opportunities. After gaining experience working as a cook and attendant at a local food kiosk, I decided to leave and open my own small restaurant. I hired a woman to assist me, and through this work, I've discovered my passion for the food business, encouraged by how much customers enjoy the food and urge me to keep going. This decision has allowed me to earn more compared to my previous job. I have two children whom I left in my mother’s care, and now I can provide for their basic needs with much more ease than before. I no longer struggle as I used to in raising money to support them. In the coming year and beyond, I plan to use my transfers to boost my business by adding more menu items and resources like utensils and seating to comfortably accommodate my customers. This will help me increase my income, save, and invest in other projects, like eventually buying a house, as I currently don’t own one." (Occupation: Small business)

"I currently work as a motorbike taxi driver to earn some income to support my family. However, I don’t earn much, as I hire the motorbike on a daily basis and have to split the income with the owner. Before these transfers end, I want to invest in goat rearing. Growing my herd will provide a valuable safety net for any financial emergencies. I save part of each transfer in our savings group to ensure I reach this goal. I prefer goats because they multiply quickly, which increases their value rapidly. Having a reliable source of income gives me peace of mind, and once I have a strong herd, I plan to leave the motorbike business and focus fully on goat rearing. This will allow me to support my family financially with much greater ease."

"As a way of recovery from depression, I have been interacting and helping my aunt in a salon for the past 3 years.I have acquired a skill of plaitting hence I would like to start my own salon .I plan to open up a shop with cosmetics and blowdry in the neighborhood,this will cost me a total of KES 30000.With this business I will be able to have a stable income throughout the year and my family will leave happily"

"Since farming is not promising here, we ought to seek for alternative sources of income. With this, I plan on adding more goats to my herd so as to be an investment to my family of four. I will spend KES 30000 on purchasing more goats . I also plan on spending KES 10000 on repairing the goat's shed. To back up my husband in providing for the family, I plan on spending KES 5000 on purchasing stock for my salon business. I will be excited that my family will have an extra source of income hence curb the food shortages for my family."

"I plan to use the money from selling my butternuts to pay my children's school fees, as they are about to join secondary school. If the crop does well, I will also save some of the earnings to open a business shop, which will help provide a steady income for my family. Additionally, I want to buy a water tank to ensure we have a reliable water source for both our farm and household needs. I hope that by doing this, I can create more opportunities for my family’s future. This plan will not only help my children get an education but also improve our living conditions. Overall, I am working hard to make sure we have a stable and secure life in the coming years."

"Receiving the cash transfer from GiveDirectly changed everything for my family and me. Expanding my shop with just $100 made a huge difference; before, I struggled to earn even $20 a day, but now I’m making $50 daily. The extra income has eased my worries, and I’m incredibly grateful for the chance to provide more for my family. I also spent $150 on three young cows and $120 on three sheep, knowing they would be valuable assets for the future. If emergencies come up, I can sell them for quick support. With five children in school, I used $80 to cover some of their fees, which used to be a struggle relying only on my shop’s income. Now, my business and livestock give me a stable foundation, and it feels wonderful to plan ahead with confidence.Life has truly turned around with GiveDirectly’s help. My husband, who is a boda boda rider, and I can now support each other more easily, and we’re both focused on building a brighter future for our kids. This support has given us the strength to look forward, knowing we can finally secure a stable and comfortable life for our family."

"I am a mother of nine children, and I work hard to provide for my family by running a small sisal-selling business. With my three most recent transfers totaling $102, I decided to invest in our future by expanding my poultry farm. I used $40 to buy seven more chickens, bringing my total to over 50. Raising chickens has been a steady source of income for me since I sell them every Friday, which is our market day. The money I earn from selling these chickens helps me buy goats, allowing me to diversify my investments and secure a better future for my family. In addition to growing my poultry business, I used $44 to pay school fees for my children. Education is the key to their success, and I want to ensure they have every opportunity to thrive. The remaining $18 went toward buying food for our household, making sure we had enough to eat. These transfers have made a big difference, allowing me to balance my family's immediate needs while also building a strong financial foundation through poultry farming and goat rearing." (Occupation: Small business)

"In the coming year and beyond, I want to thank GiveDirectly, as their support helped me open a small shop. I initially started by selling vegetables, but I have gradually added items bit by bit, and now I’m pleased to offer a variety of goods, including sugar, flour, salt, and more. Although I am a teacher by profession, I have not yet been hired by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC). The small income I earn from the shop helps me pay my fees and partially supports my family, as I am also taking part-time classes to further my studies. I have hired an employee, whom I pay $30 per month. GiveDirectly’s transfers have helped me cover part of her salary and reinvest in my business, supplemented by the income I earn from teaching. Since I am continuing my education, I aim to further expand my business in the coming year so that it generates a good profit, enabling me to pay my fees more easily. Looking ahead, I am committed to growing my business and advancing my education."