"The transfers from GiveDirectly came at the right time when I am facing challenges with my grocery business. I need around $155 to invest in my business and maximize profits. I am also dreaming of venturing into livestock farming. I will use $310 to buy ten goats and jumpstart my business. This will help me earn more income for my family. I had begun renovating my main house, but financial challenges have caused the project to stall. I am happy that the transfers from GiveDirectly will help me achieve my dream of living in a better house. This will cost me $230 of the transfers." (Country: Kenya)

"I am currently living in a small one-room house with a severely leaking roof due to termite damage to the *makuti* roofing, which has created gaps. The space is also too small for my needs, so I am planning to build a more spacious house with a verandah, even if it’s just a single room since I live alone. To achieve this, I intend to save part of my transfer to fund the construction. Having this new house will provide me with a comfortable living space, free from the constant worry of leaks during rain, and allow me to work towards a better future. For now, there is no food, so I am using part of my transfer to buy food while hoping God will bless us with rains this season. Once I have enough food, I will redirect the funds toward building my house. My current roof leaks badly, and when it rains, I get soaked. I also plan to support my building project with the income I earn daily." (Country: Kenya)

"That day was like any other, and I had no idea the money had arrived. I went to my casual job early in the morning, focusing on my work. While I was there, I overheard people chatting about receiving their money, and I mentioned that I hadn’t received mine yet. I thought to myself that they were just lazy at work. Little did I know they were happy because they had money sitting in their M-Pesa accounts. In the evening, when I got home, I finally checked my phone and discovered that the money had come in. I felt a wave of joy, and my kids were excited too because they had heard other kids saying the money had arrived. My wife and I immediately decided that the first thing we needed to do was buy food since the kids had come home from school that afternoon and there was nothing to eat at home." (Country: Kenya)

"I am a Standard 8 leaver, which means I didn’t finish my education and have no certificates to help me get a formal job. Because of that, my plan is to focus on farming, which I believe can provide a stable income for my family. I want to make sure that through farming, I’ll be able to grow enough crops to sell and earn money. This income will go toward paying my children's school fees, so they can have better opportunities than I did. Farming is something I understand well, and I am confident it will support us. I also hope to grow enough to feed my family and avoid the struggles we've faced before. With hard work and determination, I know I can make this plan a success." (Country: Kenya)

"Now that I have sorted out the housing problem, my goal for this year and beyond is to return to farming, as the floods had swept away my farm. I plan to use the next transfer from GiveDirectly to make this a reality. Getting back to farming will open doors for me to use the proceeds from the farm to start a business that will ensure a sustainable income for my family. The thought of achieving this fills me with hope and satisfaction, knowing that it will secure our future and help us recover fully from the effects of the floods." (Country: Kenya)

"My plan for this year and beyond is to buy a new place to relocate, as my primary goal is to mitigate the threat of future floods. The devastating floods I experienced have taught me the importance of finding a safer location for my family, and I am determined to make this move a reality. I plan to use the last transfer from GiveDirectly to help me achieve this goal. The thought of securing a safe, flood-free home fills me with immense joy and relief, as I no longer want to face the dangers and damage caused by floods. Relocating will provide my family with peace of mind and a stable foundation for the future." (Country: Kenya)

"I am hoping to finally complete building my house. It has been a long journey, and while I have made significant progress, there is still quite a bit left to do. The main thing I need to focus on now is buying more bricks. Without them, I will not be able to finish the walls, and that’s the next big step. To make this happen, I am planning to take out a loan. I am a businesswoman, where I sell cabbages and potatoes, which has been going well, but it’s just not enough to cover the cost of all the materials I need right now. I need a bit of a financial boost to get things moving faster. Luckily, I have a good relationship with my SACCO, where I’ve been saving for a long time. They’ve really come through for me in the past. I remember when my children were still in school, and I needed help paying for their fees—SACCO was there. So, I trust them, and I know they’ll help me again this time. Once I get the loan, I’ll be able to buy the bricks and finally see the house take shape. It’s been a dream of mine for a long time, and I feel like this is the year it’s all going to come together." (Country: Kenya)

"My future goal is to continue investing in livestock, particularly goats. I have already joined a saving group, where I regularly contribute. Once it's my turn to receive the funds, I plan to use the money to purchase more goats. I currently have five goats, which I bought with money from the transfers, and as the herd grows, I will have the opportunity to sell some to meet my family's needs. I am grateful for the financial assistance, which has helped me improve my life and the well-being of my family." (Country: Kenya)

"Looking forward, my main objective in the coming year is to purchase these two bulls to help with plowing my farm. I also plan to generate additional income by offering plowing services to other people in the community. By continuing to save through the group, I am confident that when it is my turn to receive the lump sum, I will be able to make the purchase. The financial support has been instrumental in helping me pursue this goal and move toward financial stability. I am truly grateful for it." (Country: Kenya)

"Previously, I saved a portion of my transfers each month and was able to purchase a goat for $50. That goat has since multiplied, and I now have two goats. My goal in the coming months is to buy another goat to add to the ones I already have. These goats serve as a future investment, as I can sell them in case of an emergency and raise the money I need. To achieve this goal, I plan to save a small amount from my subsequent transfers, just as I did before. I am very thankful for the financial support, which has helped us get through these difficult financial times and continues to offer hope for a better future." (Country: Kenya)