"In the coming year and beyond, I plan to focus on building a better house for my family. I also want to boost my wife’s business, as it plays a crucial role in providing food for our family while I focus on other responsibilities. My current house is made of mud, and the walls have become weak over time. It is risky to stay there, as we fear it could collapse during a heavy downpour or strong winds. Unfortunately, we do not have an alternative at the moment, so we continue to live there. To achieve this goal, I plan to use part of my daily income from my motorbike taxi business, combined with my GiveDirectly income, to buy building materials. This time, I want to build a solid house with stone walls, as stones are easily accessible in our area. Once the house is complete, I will focus on expanding my wife’s business by adding more items and increasing the quantity of existing goods, ensuring she has enough stock to attract more customers." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"Fending for my family of six is a constant challenge and to make ends meet, I depend on charcoal burning and fish trading. But getting these jobs is not easy. For example, when I have to carry charcoal from the forest to my compound, I cannot afford to hire a motorcycle for transport, so I end up carrying it on my back. It is exhausting, and the strain on my body is taking a toll, especially on my back. The soot from the charcoal is also affecting my health. My lungs feel heavy, and my eyes are often irritated I cannot give up despite these challenges because my children need to eat."

"Our house is very small, it cannot comfortably accommodate my growing family, and this has been a constant challenge for us. My dream has always been to add another room to our home, creating the space and comfort we so deeply need. To turn this vision into reality, I have been saving a portion of my transfers in our local savings group. Once these savings mature, I plan to use them to kickstart the house-building project. I know the funds will not be enough to complete the construction all at once, but I am determined. I plan to continue setting aside a portion of my future transfers to gradually work toward finishing the house. Right now, my husband is unable to contribute to the project as he is still paying off the debt for the motorcycle we acquired to give him a source of income. Although it has been a difficult journey, I am proud of the steps we have taken together to improve our situation. I look forward to the day when our house is complete. Having the space and comfort we have always longed for will mean so much to my family and me. I am incredibly grateful for the support from GiveDirectly, as it has given me the means to dream bigger and work toward this goal."

"When I received my second transfer from GiveDirectly, I decided to invest in four goats, each costing $55. I chose goats because they multiply quickly, and I see them as a future investment that will help me address any emergencies that may arise. Additionally, having them around will always remind me of the support I received from GiveDirectly. I also spent $150 as a deposit for half an acre of land priced at $400. The area I currently live in is prone to floods, so I plan to relocate once I finish paying for the plot. Furthermore, I spent $55 to plow my existing acre of land and bought seed maize for $25. I covered additional farming costs using proceeds from my vegetable sales. My maize is doing well, and with a successful harvest, I plan to use the income to meet my family's needs, complete the payment for my new land, and eventually build a house there. Thank you, GiveDirectly." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"Food inavailability is our biggest challenge. We mainly depend on livestock farming, more specifically goats. They breed well but cannot sustain our family continuously for long. Hence we may sometimes lack food due to inadequate funds to purchase. Farming is a no go zone here due to the long droughts and rocky landscape. My husband does a motorcycle taxi business, sometimes he may not get enough money for food. It leads to food shortage or us skipping means. It has made our lives difficult as a family." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"I currently live in a single room, the transfer will help me build a better house. A two bedroom house will make me happy. Plan to use about $700 to build it. It's easier for me since I'm a mason, it will definitely cost less. Motorcycles are the main means of transportation around this locality. We have a shortage of spares. There's only one shop around this area. It's something I plan to exploit. I will spend about $300 of the transfers to start the business. This business will help improve my income and livelihood."

"I currently work as a motorbike taxi driver to earn some income to support my family. However, I don’t earn much, as I hire the motorbike on a daily basis and have to split the income with the owner. Before these transfers end, I want to invest in goat rearing. Growing my herd will provide a valuable safety net for any financial emergencies. I save part of each transfer in our savings group to ensure I reach this goal. I prefer goats because they multiply quickly, which increases their value rapidly. Having a reliable source of income gives me peace of mind, and once I have a strong herd, I plan to leave the motorbike business and focus fully on goat rearing. This will allow me to support my family financially with much greater ease." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"The climatic conditions in this area of Kapkules is infavourable for farming therefore we have to look for alternative sources of income so as to provide food for the family of four. With that , we are left to depend on my husband Amos who is motorcycle rider. This business earns the family KES 300 barely enough to cover the basic needs exhaustively. Even with this challenge I am always happy that we have never slept hungry." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"I am a father with one child, and I currently live in a one-room house. As our family expands, I want to increase our living space. My plan is to construct a larger two-room house. The decision on whether to use metal sheets or stone will depend on my available budget. I have joined a merry-go-round to help save enough money for this construction project. As a driver, I am optimistic that my earnings, along with the contributions from the merry-go-round, will enable me to achieve my goal. I have also begun buying metal sheets and currently have fifteen. I am confident that this new home will bring the comfort and happiness my family deserves." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"I am currently employed as a motorcycle driver while my wife runs a small fried chicken business. With five school-aged children, we have to work diligently to generate enough income to support them. The assistance we receive from GiveDirectly has significantly reduced our financial strain, allowing us to have extra income for our family. Looking ahead to the next year and beyond, I have two main priorities to address. First, I aim to build a proper coop for my poultry. I started this project to prepare for when the transfers end, ensuring that I will have a sustainable investment that provides income during financial difficulties. Chickens reproduce quickly and have a strong market demand, which is why I chose to invest my transfers in this venture. I plan to continue using part of my transfers to purchase more chickens and expand my poultry farming. I am pleased to say that I already have ten chickens, which is a solid starting point. Additionally, I want to prioritize my children's education by allocating another portion of my transfer to cover their school fees, ensuring they receive the best possible education. As the saying goes, education is the key to success, and I want to make certain that my children are well-educated so they can support themselves and their families in the future." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)