"My plan is to focus on the maize farm I have already started and ensure that it thrives so I can have a good harvest. Once I sell the maize, I plan to use the money to plant vegetables on the same farm. I believe that growing vegetables will bring a good income because I can sell them at the nearby market. The money from selling the vegetables will be used to pay my children’s school fees, which is very important for me and my family. I am confident that this plan will improve our livelihood and provide a steady source of income. This approach also gives me hope for a brighter and more secure future for my family." (Country: Kenya)

"I am financially struggling to support my family without a stable source of income. Every penny I earn from my casual jobs or charcoal burning goes toward food and basic needs, leaving me with little opportunity to build a better home for my family of five. However, with the support from GiveDirectly, I am hopeful for a better future. I plan to use $450 of the transfer to build a spacious two-room house, which will help lift the shame of living in a grass-thatched house. I plan to invest $400 of the transfers in livestock farming, purchasing two cows and five goats. This investment will help increase our family’s income and provide a more reliable source of income, reducing the financial strain we currently face." (Country: Kenya)

"Receiving the cash transfers means so much to me and my family. This is because it offers us the financial support we need. For the first cash transfer of KES 20000 we intend to support our 3 children who are in university by paying their rent and purchasing food. This will ease our stress and concern about their wellbeing while in the institutions they are studying from. For the second cash transfer we intend to use about KES 20000 of the cash transfer to complete the repair of our big house. This is significant for us because it is something we have really wanted to do. For the remaining KES 25000 we plan to build our daughters a small house. They are grown up and living with them on the same roof has been challenging since there is no privacy. For the final cash transfer we intend to use the entire KES 45000 to pay for our 3 children's university tuition fees. This is important for us because we will have time to look for more money to pay for their school fees. Receiving the cash transfers will surely change our financial status and we are glad to have been considered as beneficiaries for the program." (Country: Kenya)

"Receiving the cash transfers means so much to my family and I. First we intend to use the first cash transfer to build a house for our son Hillary whose house got destroyed by heavy rain. This has forced him to go sleep in our neighbours house as our small house and community culture cannot allow us to stay in the same roof. I intend to use about KES 18000 of the cash transfers on this. With our village being dry and semiarid we have planned to use the second cash transfer to grow grass. This will be our investment since we will be able to sell the seedlings and also the grass. We intend to use about KES 30000 of the cash transfers on this. For the remaining KES 15000 we intend to purchase 5 sheep. For the third and final cash transfers I intend to use KES 20000 to pay school fees arrears and purchase a sofa set for my family. With the remaining KES 25000 we intend to purchase 8 goats which we will add to the few goats we already have. This is important for us because it will be our investment to use for household needs and any emergencies that might come up in future." (Country: Kenya)

"Receiving the cash transfers means so much to me and my family. We believe that it will be a life changer and a boost. For the first cash transfer we plan to build a chiken house and purchase six chicken. We intend to spend about KES 18000 of the cash transfers on this. This is important because once we sell the chicken we shall have income in the long term. For the second cash transfer, I intend to fence my land with the intention of growing grass. Since our village is dry with occasional rains and the inability to plant other crops growing grass will help us during the dry season. We intend to use about KES 45000 of the cash transfers on this. For the third cash transfers we intend to use KES 20000 to pay school fees for our children and the remaining KES 25000 we intend to purchase 5 goats. With the goats we shall have an investment which we can sell in future." (Country: Kenya)

"Since we currently cook outside, it's a challenge at night or during rainy days. We plan to build a structure to ensure comfort in cooking. It can cost about $150. Additionally, we need an extra two rooms for our children to sleep at. Our house is small for the family and we lack privacy. We estimate to spend about $500 in the new structure. Lastly, we also need an investment. I've enquired about the cost of a beehive. Beekeeping is a good venture due to the favourable climate. One can harvest biannually. One beehive can fetch upwards of $200 in a good year. I plan to buy about five beehives. This will support our income stream and also lessen the burden of paying fees in the future." (Country: Kenya)

"Our house is getting smaller as the family keeps growing. We plan to build another two roomed iron sheets roofed house. The walls will be made of mud and sticks. It can cost approximately $300. A new house will provide our children enough space to sleep and also study. Due to food insecurity and lack of essential items in our home such as clothes, beddings and utensils. We plan to buy some using about $300 of the transfer. It will give us better living conditions.The food will also give us strength to focus on other activities such as planting grass. One of our children is in college studying engineering. We plan to spend the rest of the transfer on her education. We hope she can secure employment after school and have a better future. She can also assist us in the future where she can." (Country: Kenya)

"My family of five depends on the goat business to earn a living. However, the KES 500 profit I make in a month is not enough to fully cover our household needs, such as food and school fees. Because of this, I have always wished to expand the business, but finances have been a major challenge. Now, with the anticipated transfers, I feel a sense of relief. I plan to spend KES 50000 towards expanding the business, which will help increase the profits and ensure a more stable income. The remaining money will go towards settling the family bills, including food and school fees. With this expansion, I am hopeful that my family will achieve greater financial stability." (Country: Kenya)

"Acquiring food for my family of three has been a challenge, but I am grateful for the anticipated transfers, as they will bring light at the end of the tunnel. My goal is to spend KES 15000 on food for the household, which will ease my son's burden of fending for us. I also plan to spend KES 80000 on fencing and cultivating grass on my 2-acre piece of land. By doing this, I hope to generate income for the family through the sale of the seeds. This investment in the land will not only provide food but also help secure a steady source of income moving forward." (Country: Kenya)

"I run a small grocery business that provides me with a modest income to support my family. However, a lack of school fees has delayed my dream of joining college, so I am saving the little income I earn to make this possible. The profits from my business help meet our needs, support my husband, and contribute to my savings for enrolling in an Early Childhood Education course, which I have always wanted to pursue. Additionally, I save through our merry-go-round group, where I contribute $20 monthly to accumulate funds for my school fees. My ultimate goal is to secure a stable teaching job to provide for my growing family. I am grateful for the financial support I have received, which has made it easier to work toward my dreams. If everything goes as planned, I am optimistic about joining college next year." (Country: Kenya)