"My primary objective is to strategically plan and invest in goat farming, a venture I've already begun with the assistance of these transfers. Growing up in a family where steady financial support is hard to come by, careful planning is essential to prevent falling into debt. My husband works as a tout, but his earnings vary based on the number of passengers, making his income unpredictable. This instability is particularly frustrating with school-going children, as we need to ensure their fees are paid on time and meet their basic needs. To reach my goal, I intend to save $20 from my monthly transfers each month. This savings will enable me to invest in goat rearing and establish a more secure financial future for my family. As the goats breed, I plan to sell some to fund my children's fees and manage any financial crises without having to rely on my neighbors for help. Thanks to these transfers, life has become more manageable, and I am committed to avoiding a return to poverty. I am dedicated to using this income to support my children's schooling and provide them with a brighter future." (Occupation: Small business)

"I am extremely thankful to Givedirectly for their financial support in helping me raise my children, especially after the passing of my husband, which placed all the responsibilities on my shoulders. Currently, my primary concern is for my two oldest children, both of whom finished secondary school with excellent results. One is preparing to enroll at Kenya Medical Training College to study nursing, while the other will be attending a teachers training college. Unfortunately, we have had to postpone this due to financial constraints. I am contributing to a local savings group with the hope of being able to enroll them soon. Additionally, I recently started working as a househelp, which provides me with some income and helps me save for building a new house. The current house we live in is quite unsafe, as the walls have become fragile and may collapse during heavy winds. However, the roof remains intact, allowing me to reuse the iron sheets from this house in the new one, although I will need to purchase a few additional pieces. Therefore, once I can enroll my children in school, I will begin this construction project. These are my main goals for the near future and beyond." (Occupation: Small business)

"I have about five acres of land, but due to financial challenges, I usually rent out about two acres to get some capital for planting the remaining acres. My plan is to stop leasing out this land so that I can fully use it for farming. I am currently waiting for the water to completely recede after the floods before I begin planting. Once the land is ready, I plan to plant maize and vegetables. I will use my final transfer to fund the planting, and from the income I make, I plan to start a business buying and selling vegetables. This way, I can continue crop farming and manage my business, no longer relying on charcoal production, which I want to stop because it is unsustainable and tedious."

"For the past 1 year I have faced financial constraints in my kiosk due to stiff competition.This has prompted me to diversify in businesses in order to earn more at different times.With these transfers I plan to establish a poultry business starting with 20 birds at a cost of KES 500 each.I will be able to earn income from egg sale as well as hen sale.With the remaining amount of KES 20000 I will restock my kiosk with industrial goods.People in the community prefer buying goods from a fully packed shop and that's why I want to take advantage of this." (Occupation: Small business)

"We're currently facing significant drought conditions in our area, and the limited income we have is mostly spent on food for our family. I operate a small kiosk business to support us, while my spouse engages in farming. With three children to care for, I decided to set aside $74 for food purchases, especially since we were out of food. I aimed to buy enough to last us several more days as we continue to seek additional food sources. Additionally, I saved $28 in our savings group because I have plans to build a larger house. I am very grateful to GiveDirectly for the financial support." (Occupation: Small business)

"I was diagnosed with asthma about 20 years ago. I have to depend on fishing to make a living, and this livelihood has contributed to my health's deterioration. Standing in the chilly water for hours is not ideal for someone with my health condition. But I have to do it to sustain my needs and those of my 2 grandchildren. If I can't fish, there's no money and no food. So I continue to gamble between my health and sleeping on an empty stomach." (Occupation: Small business)

"I am unable to take on any job that demands my full attention because I need to care for my sick child. My child has epilepsy, and it’s important for me to be present. Consequently, I spend most of my time on childcare. I want to establish a business that I can manage from home, which will help me balance my household duties while allowing me to focus on my child. I've considered starting a chicken farming business. Additionally, I plan to use part of my funds to purchase more goats. My aim is to raise about 10 breeding goats, and along with the chickens, this will create a source of income for me. Once these projects are up and running, I will feel less stressed, even when my income ends, as I will have an investment to depend on. If I encounter financial difficulties, I can sell some of my livestock to generate money for my support instead of relying on relatives."

"As a mother of one, I aim to expand my shop, where I currently sell products like flour, oil, sugar, rice, and soap. Previously, I relied solely on farming, which meant I had no income during the dry seasons. Thanks to the support from GiveDirectly and my husband, I was able to start this business, which keeps me busy and increases my income. I plan to save my transfers along with the profits from my shop to improve my inventory. I want to add new items like beans and greens and increase my stock to boost my profits and grow the business further. This will enhance my daily income, making it much easier for me to support my family."

"As a mother of two, my greatest joy is witnessing my children receive a quality education and improve their lives. To ensure they can attend a good school, I am pursuing a college education in tailoring. My goal is to start my own tailoring business after graduation, which I believe will provide a better income for my family. Thanks to GiveDirectly's support, I am able to cover my school fees. Once I finish my studies, I intend to launch my business, and I am confident that the income I generate, along with these transfers, will significantly assist in purchasing building materials, enabling us to construct our dream house. Currently, we live with my mother-in-law because my spouse and I got married when he didn't have a house. With over a year remaining in my college education, I am focused on opening my business afterward. Once my spouse and I manage to build our dream house, I plan to invest in livestock, particularly goats, to further secure our financial future."

"This coming year, my biggest goal is to start a small business and open a shop in a new area that I’ve set my sights on moving to. I’ve been scouting the place for a while now, and one thing is clear: there isn’t a single shop within the neighborhood, which creates a good market opportunity. People would really benefit from a reliable place to buy their daily essentials nearby, and I know I can fill that need. Once I receive my third transfer payment, I plan to use a portion to complete paying for the plot I have in mind, ensuring I have a solid base to set up my shop. It’s exciting to envision it finally taking shape, knowing that my little store could become a go-to spot for the community. Farming has been my main source of income up to this point, mainly growing tomatoes and vegetables, which has been both rewarding and challenging. But with the unpredictable weather and rising costs, I know I need to diversify my income. Opening this shop will be my way of balancing the risks that come with farming and finding a steadier source of revenue."