"In the upcoming year, my aspirations include expanding the honey business as a means to support my family of six. The plan is to use the profits generated from the honey business to venture into chicken rearing, adding another stream of income to our household. The estimated cost for this dual initiative is approximately $400. The strategic use of savings, along with the profits from the honey business, will contribute to the success of this expansion. This approach not only ensures financial prudence but also maximizes the resources available for sustainable growth. The decision to delve into chicken rearing aligns with a broader vision of diversifying our income sources beyond honey production. I believe this dual venture will not only enhance our financial stability but also provide valuable lessons in managing and scaling agricultural enterprises. I am grateful for the support I received, which has empowered me to plan for a more secure and prosperous future for my family. I am hopeful that the coming year will bring positive changes and increased economic stability."

"I currently reside with my elderly mother, taking on the responsibility of caring for her. To tackle the financial challenges we face, managing without external support, I initiated a tailoring shop. Despite starting with limited capital, I am pleased that it has become a vital source of income for our household. To enhance the tailoring business, I utilized approximately $80 from recent transfers to acquire a substantial stock of textile materials. This timely investment proved invaluable during the back-to-school season, allowing me to cater to a significant number of clients and generate a commendable profit. The heightened demand for school uniforms further emphasized the importance of maintaining an ample stock of materials, significantly boosting my business. With the profits earned, I can now easily meet our household needs. Additionally, I allocated $16 to cover the rent for my tailoring shop. I invested the remaining portion in purchasing chickens, which I am currently raising alongside my tailoring business. I envision developing a poultry project that will serve as a supplementary income source, providing the opportunity to sell poultry products and generate additional revenue."

"Our savings group will be distributing the saved money in February, I have saved for a while now and I had a number of things in mind that I hoped I will achieve using this savings. I have wanted to learn driving, I have a friend who works in the city as a driver and he is usually getting jobs so regularly. I also want to be able to get high paying jobs like he does and so I hope to achieve this by undertaking a driving course. I am also an animal rearer, I would want to add more animals, I have 40 chicken and 7 goats, I had10 goats but I sold 3 due to emergencies. I want to increase the number of this animals as well as add more types of animals to my small farm. I would also want to set up grocery stall which can earn an income. I may not achieve this in succession but this are the things I hope to achieve using my transfers."

"In the coming year and beyond, my goal is to expand my poultry farming venture to include around 200 mature chickens. The vision behind this expansion is not only to generate a more substantial income for my family but also to create sustainable self employment opportunity. The idea of accomplishing this fills me with happiness, knowing that it not only improves my own livelihood but also contributes to the community by providing jobs. This expansion represents a step towards a more secure and prosperous future for both myself and those who may benefit from the employment opportunities it creates."

"Our financial situation, my husband's and mine, is currently challenging, and we have two children attending school. While my husband operates a tuk-tuk for taxi services in town, I sustain our income by vending foodstuffs. To enhance our financial stability and ensure a secure future for our children, I've ventured into livestock keeping, focusing on goats and chickens. Presently, I own two goats and 18 chickens, with the intention of expanding this livestock venture. These animals serve as valuable assets that can be readily sold to meet the financial demands of our children's education. By growing our livestock, I aim to create a reliable source of funds, enabling us to cover educational expenses when the time comes for our children to advance in their studies."

"My foremost goal is to initiate a new venture focused on buying and selling chickens, with a planned launch by February. The crucial capital for this endeavor will be sourced from my merry-go-round savings. The primary objective behind delving into entrepreneurship is to secure a steady stream of income that can be dedicated to funding my children's educational journey until they successfully graduate. It's not just about creating a business; it's about laying the financial foundation for my family's future and ensuring that my children have the necessary support for their education. As February approaches, I am filled with a mix of excitement and determination, envisioning a business that not only sustains itself but becomes a cornerstone for the academic aspirations of my beloved children."

"With the installments, I prioritized education, allocating $24 to pay school fees for my two children,one in secondary school and the other in primary school. It brought me immense relief to secure their academic future. Recognizing the persistent challenge of providing for my six family members with temporary income sources, I dedicated $10.7 to ensuring we had enough food on the table. The struggle to make ends meet was further eased as I spent $30 to plough a one-acre field. Previously, relying on manual labor yielded minimal farm products, but now I am hopeful that this investment will yield an abundant harvest, putting an end to the threat of famine. By allocating $25 for my children's impending return to school, I ensured they had the necessary supplies and support. Acknowledging the importance of diversifying income sources, I invested $6 in purchasing a chicken, viewing it as a valuable asset for potential emergencies. The remaining 470 went towards securing additional food supplies for my family. As someone who relies on sporadic income from selling charcoal and traditional herbs, often earning around $3 a day, the monthly support from the organization has been a game-changer. I am profoundly grateful for the assistance, as it has not only transformed our immediate circumstances but has also instilled hope for a more stable and secure future."

"Becoming a primary school teacher has been my aspiration since my childhood. Having completed secondary school last year, I am eager to pursue a teaching course. These transfers will not only support my educational journey but will also contribute to achieving this dream. I plan to utilize the proceeds from the sale of my goats and chickens to further support myself through the course. Realizing this dream is significant to me as it assures me of employment opportunities upon course completion. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to GiveDirectly for their unwavering support to me and my family."

"I completed high school in 2018, but due to a lack of funds, I couldn't pursue further education immediately. Both my parents are unemployed, and my father's physical vulnerability prevents him from working. My mother, focused on caring for my father, also couldn't engage in active work to provide for the family.  The initiation of cash transfers marked the beginning of a goal – saving enough money to enroll in a secretarial college. This dream became a reality last September when I joined college, thanks to the support from the cash transfers. Since then, a significant portion of the transfers at least $20 goes towards paying my school fees and covering my living expenses at the hostel. Additionally, I allocate $7 to compensate our herdsman for taking care of our family's livestock, including my three goats. Another $5 is set aside to purchase chicken feeds for the chickens back home. I'm grateful that, despite my physical absence, my livestock are well taken care of."

"I am involved in raising livestock on behalf of others as a means of earning a livelihood to support both myself and my six children. Meanwhile, my husband works as a tuk-tuk driver in Mombasa, but his income often falls short of meeting our family's needs. GiveDirectly has played a crucial role in facilitating my children's education, allowing for a more comfortable learning environment. Additionally, with the financial assistance received, I ventured into poultry farming, acquiring chickens. I allocated $29 of the funds for purchasing essential food and household items. An additional $5 was dedicated to acquiring medication for my husband, who was not feeling well at the time. Another $34 was dedicated to the purchase of four corrugated iron sheets, intended for building a more spacious house for my children, as our current residence is small and inadequate. Another $34 was directed towards settling a pending school fees debt for my children. I am grateful for the significant milestones I have achieved through this program, providing a positive impact on my family's well-being."