"Our house lacked solar lighting, so I decided to purchase a new system on credit. We previously had one, but it broke, and to avoid living in darkness, I opted to buy a replacement and pay for it in monthly installments of $20. The total cost was $450, and I’m glad I recently managed to clear the debt using these transfers. Now, my focus is on building a business premise. The owner of the land where I currently do business agreed to sell me a small piece, with the condition that I pay in installments as I continue building. I have already bought poles in preparation for construction. Since the space can accommodate three stalls, I plan to build and partition it into three rooms, renting out two while using the other for my business. The income from the rented rooms will help me pay for the land, alongside my transfers. To make this dream a reality, I plan to invest my transfers and part of my business profits into this project."

"I am a mother of five children, but I have been facing a significant challenge in providing them with proper shelter. Every evening, my children are forced to seek shelter with relatives, which has been incredibly stressful for me as a parent. The house we currently live in has only one room that serves as our kitchen and sleeping space. To address this issue, I decided to join a savings group, where I contribute $20 each month with the goal of building a new home for my children. One of my sisters-in-law has also promised to support me by purchasing some of the building materials, which gives me hope of fulfilling this dream. So far, I have managed to acquire 12 iron sheets, which is a good start, and I am optimistic that this project will be completed soon. Once I achieve this dream, I will no longer have to worry about my children’s safety. It will also restore my respect and dignity as a parent, as I have often felt like I have failed my children."

"For the past 2 years I have been operating an hotel in the village . The revenues I earned in the beginning were so much motivating to an extent that I borrowed a loan of KES 3000 to scale up the business.As time passed by many people established the same businesses in the neighborhood leading to a stiff competition thus lesser incomes.In addition,tough economic times have also caused lesser circulation of money among the customers.This has led to them coming to the hotel to have meals on credit ,this has crippled the business because some of them pays the debt after a long time and others fail to pay it at all.This situation of poor performance in the business is making my life harder because I cannot comfortably meet the household needs as well as expand the business as I initially envisioned.The burden of debts is also slowly increasing on the side of my suppliers and this might break the trust we had built for a long time,this frightens me a lot ."

"Drought is our biggest challenge, we cannot plant and also fetch water from far distances. This means we must look for other ways to get food. Charcoal burning is my main source of income to support my family. It's difficult albeit we're able to buy food through this. One bag of charcoal is sold for $6. This can only support food requirements for four days. I'm forced to burn more charcoal. One kilo of maize flour is sold at about $0.5. It's enough for a day."

"In the coming year and beyond, my greatest goal is to build my own house. Currently, I live in my son's house, and while I am grateful for his support, I long for independence and pride in owning my own home. Through diligent saving, I have already managed to buy 21 pieces of iron sheets, which brings me closer to this dream. To achieve this, I will continue setting aside $20 monthly, ensuring steady progress toward my goal. Having my own house will give me a sense of stability and fulfillment, motivating me to keep pushing forward."

"The main challenges I am facing in my household revolve around the lack of water. We are forced to travel long distances to fetch water for home consumption and our livestock, which makes life even harder, especially as we approach the drought season. Another significant challenge is the lack of stable employment. Without a reliable source of income, we struggle to meet our family’s basic needs. The high cost of living has further compounded this issue, as the small family business we run is not enough to cover all the necessities for our children. These challenges make day-to-day life difficult, but I remain hopeful for a better future"

"Currently, I have four goats that I purchased a few months ago using the transfers I received from this organization. I now have a new goal: to save enough through my savings group to buy more goats. I have been setting aside $20 from my monthly transfers toward this goal. Once I achieve it, I plan to trade the goats for oxen. These oxen will help me prepare my land during the rainy season and can also be rented out for additional income. I believe that with the assistance of oxen, my harvests will improve significantly. This will not only allow me to sell surplus crops but also provide enough for my family’s needs. Moreover, these plans will offer financial support during challenging times, particularly when it comes to paying for my children’s education. Ensuring my children have a smooth and fulfilling school experience is a priority for me."

"Food insecurity is the biggest challenge we are currently facing. I tried planting maize on my 0.2 acres of land for several years but in vain. This is due to a lack of sufficient rainfall and extreme heat in our region. Since I retired from being a nurse in the nearby town, my body has become weak and feeble, and I am unable to work and fend for my family like before. I am getting old. I am unable to work now, yet I have 5 family members who depend on me. My 8 goats died recently due to complications brought on by consuming weird plants that have grown on our land. I am happy now that I will soon benefit from the transfer from GiveDirectly, and my life will change for the better."

"In the coming year and beyond, my greatest goal is to build a new house because the one I currently live in is very old and too weak to withstand the fierce winds that often sweep through our area. I dream of providing my family with a safer and more stable home, free from the constant fear of damage or collapse. To achieve this, I plan to save $20 each month from my GiveDirectly transfers, as long as no unexpected challenges arise. With determination and careful planning, I am confident that this goal will soon become a reality, bringing lasting security and comfort to my family."

"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."