"Some time back, the roof of my house was blown away by strong winds and has been completely destroyed. It is now full of holes, making it unfit for use, and I am left with no choice but to replace it. Renovating the roof has become my top priority for the coming year. To achieve this, I plan to save a portion of my transfers and gradually buy iron sheets and other roofing materials that will allow me to restore my home. Once the renovation is complete, I will feel a great sense of relief and happiness, knowing that my family will be protected from the elements. After the roof is repaired, I plan to continue expanding my livestock. To achieve this, I intend to use a portion of my future transfers from GiveDirectly to purchase goats. I am hopeful that these goats will multiply, increasing both in number and value, providing me with an invaluable asset. This investment will be crucial for me, especially when this program comes to an end, as it will give me something to rely on for the future. I am truly grateful for the support I have received. It has made a significant impact on my life, and with this assistance, I can work towards a better and more secure future for my family."

"My goal for this year and beyond is to first renovate the roof of my house and create a better living space for myself and my family. The roof is very old and worn out, and it desperately needs repairs. To make this happen, I have been saving a portion of my transfers from GiveDirectly, and I plan to continue saving more through our local savings group until I have enough to finally repair the roof. Once the house is repaired, I will shift my focus to expanding my livestock base. Increasing my livestock is a valuable investment that will provide not only a steady income but also something I can rely on, even after the project is complete. To achieve this, I plan to use a portion of my transfers to buy goats, with the hope that they will multiply, increasing both their numbers and their value. I am excited about this plan because it will give me a solid foundation for the future. I am proud of the progress I have made so far, as it ensures that my family will be well taken care of, especially in case of any urgent needs. I am deeply grateful to GiveDirectly for their support, which has made a world of difference in improving our situation."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"I am a mother of three children, two of whom are grown up, while the youngest is still under my care. Together with my husband, we rely on charcoal burning to provide for our family. With the last three transfers amounting to $102, I invested $55 in purchasing two goats, adding to the two I already had, making them four. This was a step toward rebuilding my livestock after previously exchanging five goats for a bull to help plow our farm during the planting season. This investment gives me hope for a sustainable future as I plan to grow the herd further. Additionally, I spent $15 on food for my son and me, ensuring we had enough to keep going while my husband was away in the forest for charcoal burning. The remaining $32 went towards helping my son complete the roofing of his house, a task he was struggling to finish. Supporting him brought me joy, knowing his living situation was now more secure."

"The issue of housing has been a constant source of stress for me. My children are forced to seek shelter at my relatives' houses every evening, a situation that has weighed heavily on my mind. I have always dreamed of living under one roof with all my children. Currently, my house has only one room, which we also use as a kitchen. You can imagine the smoke and discomfort we endure daily. To address this challenge, I joined a savings group in my community. Over the past three months, I have managed to save a total of $80 to use this money to build a new, spacious house for my children. This new home will not only restore my pride and dignity as a parent but also provide my children with the protection, privacy, and guidance they need to grow with good morals. Being close to them is crucial for their upbringing. In addition to saving for the house, I used $4 to boost my small mandazi business. I am glad that my earnings have slightly increased compared to what I used to make before. With $18, I also stocked up on food for my household. Food insecurity has been a persistent issue for us, especially since we have not been able to rely on our farm due to the prolonged droughts."

"In the coming year and beyond, my biggest goal is to renovate the roofing of my house. The current roof leaks badly, causing the mud walls to weaken and collapse over time. This situation not only affects our safety but also the comfort of my family, and I am determined to change it. To make this a reality, I have committed to saving $10 every month from my transfers. With consistent effort and planning, I know I will accomplish this goal, ensuring my family lives in a stronger, safer, and more secure home."

"I am building a two-roomed house because my current one has developed holes in the roof, and the walls are very weak. With my most recent transfer, I spent $34 to purchase a lorry of building stones in preparation for construction. I also saved $20 in a *chama* with the intention of using these savings in the future to buy more building materials. Additionally, I bought a chicken for $9 to boost my poultry project and used $4 to purchase food for my family. I also paid $25 towards my son's college fees to prevent him from being sent home due to fee arrears. Lastly, I bought a goat for $20 as part of my investment plan, knowing that the transfers are nearing their end. I want to ensure I have sustainable investments to support me in the future."

"Our house was swept away by floods, and we lost household items like our bed. As a result, my children and I had to move into my co-wife's house. While we stayed with her family, living under one roof with her three children, my two children, and our husband made the situation uncomfortable due to the limited space. After receiving my second transfer from GiveDirectly, I bought iron sheets and timber. I now plan to use my final transfer to purchase the remaining materials and begin construction so we can have our own space again. Additionally, I intend to buy essential items we lost to restore comfort and stability for my family."