"In the upcoming year and beyond, my primary goal centers around acquiring a pair of oxen. For too many years,I have relied solely on my own physical strength, and the weariness has taken its toll. I have made a commitment to save diligently each month, inching closer to the day I can finally have these reliable companions. With oxen by my side, I envision not only lightening my own load but also significantly improving my family's well-being. They will assist in everyday tasks, from carrying water from the dams to aiding in our farming endeavors. This step signifies not just a personal upgrade but a path to a more efficient and prosperous life for my family."

"My new goal is to invest in livestock, particularly goats. I've decided on goats over cows because they're hardy creatures, capable of surviving longer without water, and they don't demand much in terms of upkeep. Plus, goats have a consistent demand in the market due to their affordability, making them a reliable source of income whenever it's needed. With this investment, I'm not just securing my future; I'm ensuring my family's well-being."

"The roof of my house is in poor condition as it has corroded over time, developed rust, and developed perforations which allow water to leak in whenever it rains, causing dampness in the house. Additionally, the walls of my house are made of mud, and they have weakened over time, raising concerns that the house may eventually collapse, leaving me homeless and in need of shelter from others. I am determined to prevent this from happening. My goal is to build a new house with mud walls and an iron sheet roof. However, I plan to reinforce the mud walls with concrete pillars to make them more sturdy and durable. Since I lack a reliable source of funding, I decided to take out a loan of $400 from my savings Sacco to purchase building materials. With the loan, I was able to secure 30 iron sheets for the new house. I have been using the cash transfers I receive to repay this loan gradually. From the recent transfer, I allocated $20 to continue repaying the debt. The remaining $14 from the transfer was used to purchase food because my household had run out of food, and we were still waiting to harvest from our farms."

"In the coming year and beyond, I have some important goals I am determined to achieve. Firstly, I hope to connect piped water to our home and invest in a larger water tank that will allow us to store rainwater for various purposes, including livestock, household needs, and kitchen gardening. This will not only make our lives more convenient but also ensure a sustainable water supply. Additionally, if circumstances allow, I aspire to construct a pit latrine in the future. For far too long, our household hygiene has been compromised as we had to answer the call of nature in the bushes. This change would significantly improve our living conditions and overall well-being, making me hopeful for a healthier and more comfortable future for my family."

"In 1996, I constructed my house, and since then, I have only carried out a complete renovation once. My primary occupation revolves around tending to my livestock, and during the rainy season, I engage in farming. As we anticipate the approaching El Niño phenomenon in the coming years, my utmost priority is to repair the roof of my house and ensure that it remains watertight. This is a significant accomplishment for me, as it will safeguard my home from potential leaks and damages caused by the heavy rainfall. I am incredibly grateful for the assistance that has enabled me to make progress towards realizing my aspirations."

"I have a family of five members with four being grandchildren. My husband died three years ago and I have been living with the children and the grandchildren. I have also suffered diabetes for eight years now. This has rendered me helpless and I cannot engage on any kind of work. I depend on the children for survival. I will use $500 to buy a water tank to store water. I have access to tap water but I have no storage capacity. When water stops for a week then I suffer alot. This tank will resolve the problem of water shortage in my compound. I will also use $500 to buy ten goats as an investment. My husband left with nothing as an investment. This will help me cater for my medication and other needs in the future."

"In the coming year, my focus is on renovating my house. The roof is in terrible condition, with many holes, allowing rainwater to enter and exposing my family to cold infections. Before I can begin the renovation, I need to gather building materials and hire someone to repair the roof, specifically requiring at least ten sheets of iron. Since I lack a stable source of income, I hope that the upcoming cash transfers will enable me to complete this project. This is an opportune time to address this issue because concerns about hunger have been alleviated since we harvested enough food that I believe will sustain us until the end of the year and beyond."

"In the coming year and beyond, my goal is to maximize our agricultural potential. We are currently preparing the land, and with anticipated heavy rains that will fill our rivers, we hope to have an ideal setup for irrigation. My plan is to cultivate beans and maize on approximately an acre and a half of land alongside the river. This decision is driven by the desire to ensure a stable source of food and income for my family, taking advantage of the available water resources for successful and sustainable farming."

"I was on my way to fetch drinking water from a local stream when I heard my phone ring. Upon checking and confirming that I had received money from GiveDirectly I felt so happy that I was finally going to be able to fence my compound and make my homestead more lively and enjoyable. I normally rely on odd casual jobs that earns me hardly $2 per day which is just enough to buy food for myself."

"Having a family of 10 all at home, it has been a constant struggle to provide for them solely through subsistence and livestock farming while juggling the expenses of school fees and daily goods. When GiveDirectly came into our lives, it was a much-needed lifeline. I allocated $70 to purchase food staples, ensuring that our family's basic needs were met. Another $80 was invested in my existing retail business in the nearby shopping center, where I expanded my stock. This decision not only benefited my family but also made my customers happier, as they could find everything they needed in one convenient stop at my shop. Recognizing the importance of improving our farming practices, I spent $20 on water pumping for irrigation, which has enhanced our agricultural productivity. Additionally, I allocated $6 to pay for labor in the bean harvesting process and used the remaining $24 to cover school fees for one of my children, easing the burden of education expenses. Thanks to GiveDirectly, our lives have taken a turn for the better, with improved access to food, enhanced livelihood opportunities, and better education prospects for our children."