"This coming year, I have big plans to improve my life. I want to invest in goats. They multiply quickly and don’t need much to survive, even when the weather is harsh. Unlike other livestock, they’re drought-resistant, which makes them a safe choice for someone like me. If an emergency arises—like school fees for the children or a medical issue—I can sell a goat or two and sort things out. It feels good knowing I’ll have something to fall back on. This plan gives me hope and a sense of security. Right now, I have some tomatoes growing on my farm, and they’re almost ready for harvest. The tomatoes have done well this season, and I expect to make a decent profit once I sell them at the market. Every shilling from that sale will go toward buying the goats. It feels like everything is coming together, step by step. First, I’ll sell the tomatoes, then I’ll start with a few goats and let them grow into a bigger herd. It’s exciting to think about how far I can go with this plan."

"I was overjoyed when I received the cash transfer because it gave me the means to change my daughters' lives. They used to sleep at our neighbors’ homes, which was both uncomfortable and humiliating for them. I spent $260 on 17 iron sheets, frames, posts, and a sturdy door to build a house for them. It feels wonderful to finally give them a place they can call their own, a safe space to grow and dream. I also used part of the money to settle a lingering debt of $30 that I owed a shopkeeper. I had taken food on credit to sustain us, and it weighed heavily on me. I bought a bag of maize for $30 to ensure my family had enough to eat for some time, bringing much-needed relief and stability to our meals. With $100, I bought two sheep, knowing they are a reliable investment. I can sell them when school fees arise, giving my children the chance at an education. Additionally, I spent $30 on 30 chicks. They will provide eggs for consumption and sales, and I can sell some chickens in emergencies."

"In the coming year and beyond, I am committed to building a new house, as my current house has a leaking roof and weak walls. It is only a one-room structure, and with six children, it is essential to create a better living environment for my family. So far, I have secured twenty iron sheets. I still need two more iron sheets to complete this project. My goal is to finish the house so I can focus my finances on educating my children. I want to ensure they can attend school regularly without having to worry about school fees. Through our savings group, I have been able to save a good amount from the transfers. We have collectively agreed to continue this initiative, especially since there are no job opportunities in the area right now, hence we can invest our savings in income generating activities to enable us support our families with ease. I am very happy with the progress we are making, and I believe that with continued support, we will achieve my goals."

"In the coming years, I have a dream: to purchase a pair of oxen. I have longed to own them for quite some time because I am tired of hiring my neighbours' oxen whenever it’s time to prepare the farm. Hiring them is expensive, with the cost of ploughing an acre set at $20. Often, I cannot afford this, which forces me to rely on manual labour. Preparing the farm by hand has been exhausting and has resulted in low yields, as I cannot till the entire land effectively. To make this dream a reality, I plan to use the savings from my merry-go-round initiative, which I will soon receive, and supplement it with part of the transfers I have obtained. Once I purchase the oxen, it will not only bring me relief but also create an opportunity for additional income. I can hire them out to my friends and neighbours, allowing me to earn a living. By the beginning of next year, I am hopeful that the oxen will be at my homestead, as all my plans are in place. This step will not only improve my farming efficiency but also mark a significant milestone in achieving my goals."

"Currently, my sole focus and goal is my child's medical condition. My priority is to ensure he receives treatment for his sudden blindness and swollen head. My spouse works as a motorbike taxi driver to support our family, but watching our firstborn child's health deteriorate is emotionally overwhelming for us as parents. Despite using the monthly transfers to address his condition, I haven’t been able to restore his health. As a result, we are planning a large fundraising event in our village to gather the necessary funds to seek better medical care for him. I am, however, deeply grateful to GiveDirectly for their financial support, which has enabled us to afford consistent monthly clinic visits. Once his health improves, I will finally have peace of mind and the ability to focus on other aspects of life and my family's well-being."

"My current goal is to continue my studies, as I am pursuing a tailoring course that I hope to complete by next year. Initially, I never thought I would attend college, but thanks to the monthly transfers I receive, I was able to enroll in this program. I feel incredibly happy because I believe that once I achieve this goal, I will be able to start my own workshop, become self-employed, and generate an income. The skills I am gaining in school will make this possible. With this opportunity, I hope to improve my family's situation and also prepare for the future family I plan to start someday. I am determined to fulfill this dream with the support of the monthly transfers, and I am confident that I will graduate and earn my certificate."

"My dream, both now and in the coming years, is to ensure that my five children can attend school without interruptions, particularly those caused by unpaid fees, which have been a challenge in the past. With my eldest daughter having completed her secondary education, I feel a sense of relief. I am confident that she will excel and secure admission to a good college. My goal is to provide all my children with a quality education, as I believe it is the foundation for a brighter future. Having never had the opportunity to attend school myself, I am determined to make sure my children do not face the struggles I have experienced due to illiteracy. To achieve this, I save a portion of the funds I receive each month to ensure that their educational dreams are realized. By investing in their future, I am confident they will have the tools to lead better and more fulfilling lives."

"Before GiveDirectly came to our village, I was living in a terrible house. It was a one-room structure with a roof made of grass and walls made of mud. During the rainy season, life was unbearable as rain often fell on my five children and me. With no other options available, we had to endure this situation. The walls began to weaken, and I became increasingly worried that the house could collapse on us.To improve our living conditions, I joined a merry-go-round savings group. Through saving diligently, I eventually managed to build a stone house with an iron roof. We have started living in our new home, although we still need to finish some parts, like the windows. For now, we have covered those gaps to protect ourselves from insects and rain.In the coming year and beyond, I plan to use my transfers to complete the construction of my two-room house before considering any other projects."

"In the coming year, my greatest goal is to buy more goats because I see them as an investment and a source of security for my family. Right now, I only have one goat, but I’m determined to grow my herd bit by bit. Each month, I plan to save $10 from the transfers I receive, and with time, I’ll have enough to buy one goat at a time. Goats are a great investment because they are easy to maintain, and they multiply quickly, which means I can sell them when we have urgent needs like school fees or medical expenses. Beyond just growing the herd, I want to create a sustainable source of income for my family through livestock farming. This plan gives me hope for a brighter future, knowing that my family will always have something to fall back on in times of need."

"In the coming year, my biggest goal is to expand my livestock by focusing on goat farming. Currently, I have three goats, but I am determined to increase my herd because I believe goats are a great investment for my family's future. They are easy to maintain, multiply quickly, and have a ready market. To make this dream a reality, I plan to save $10 every month, bit by bit until I can buy more goats. With this steady commitment, I am confident that I will gradually grow my herd. I hope to establish a sustainable goat farm that will support my family’s daily needs and secure a steady income source for years to come.."