"To reduce my dependence on my son and actively contribute to the family’s needs, I desire to own and rear livestock as a stream of income. Particularly, I wish to venture into goat and chicken keeping, as these animals tend to multiply faster than the other kinds. Having already secured two goats from previous cash transfers, my aim is to buy more and expand the herd by the end of the year. I hope that the transfers will allow me to buy as much as I can because they are my only source of income at the moment. "

"Am ashamed that I always seek accommodation for my guests from my relatives’ or neighbors' houses because my one-room house is too tiny to host all of us. I will be relieved if I extended an extra room to my house, which will specifically serve as a guest room. My plan is to start saving for the construction materials like iron sheets and building poles, and then hire someone later to handle the exercise to completion. "

"My focus right now is to build a new two-room house made of mud walls and a tin roof. Since I cannot work to raise funds for the project, I hope to finance the construction through the cash I receive from Give Directly. I started securing some iron sheets using previous transfers. My aim is to assemble the construction materials like building poles and more iron sheets and then hire a builder later to help implement the project to completion. I would be happy if this happens within the next year. "

"When I received the first transfer, I began paying for a piece of land, but I was unable to pay the full amount due to other obligations. I cleared the pending $150 for the piece of land that I was relieved to be granted after completing the payment when I received the second transfer. I also purchased a $200 heifer to add to the only dairy cow I already had on my farm. I plan to keep the two, breed them, and when they reproduce, I will have extra liters of milk and may consider selling the offspring to cover other household expenses. I also had a new house at the time, but I had not finished furnishing it or purchasing furniture. I then spent $150 on a three-seat sofa set, two tables, and cushions for the chairs to make them more comfortable. My house is currently looking really good, which has boosted my confidence even when visitors arrive. In addition, I used the remaining funds to purchase food for my family."

"The challenge of paying school fees for our four children can be overwhelming at times, and they require additional sources of income to ensure consistent attendance at their classes. Given our reliance on agricultural activities, we hope to work against all odds to find a way to overcome the drought that has destroyed the majority of our crops and ensure consistent production from our farms. We hope to sell the surplus after each harvest and use the proceeds to pay our children's school fees."

"GiveDirectly did an excellent job of reducing poverty from many households. The choices we made were worthwhile because we now have larger and better houses and have completed the majority of our school obligations. I am thankful for the support and we hope that it will be replicated in other villages. The approach was straightforward, and all deserving households received the funds. House-to-house enrollment was the most effective way to reach everyone without relying on village leadership."

"In the coming year and beyond, I hope to start a small grocery business. I intend to be vending tomatoes, kale and dry fish around the village. This is because I am currently depending on charcoal vending which is so energy-draining and also associated with health problems like chest pains. The income from the business will assist me in supporting my needs and realising my dream of being self-reliant."

"GiveDirectly provided us with immense help that was equitable to all recipients. Everyone received the transfer and was free to plan without intrusion from the office or the community leadership. I am grateful that I was able to use our support to build a new house, improve livestock farming, pay school fees, and buy food for my family of six. All information shared was clear from beginning to end, and I wish that all villages received the same level of support."

"I spent $130 on the construction of a chicken coop and the subsequent purchase of 10 chickens after receiving the second transfer. Collecting and selling chicken eggs has helped us pay household bills, and we occasionally sell some chicken when there is a pressing need. I also spent $400 on school fees for my two children, one in third grade and the other in second grade. I am glad one of them completed secondary school and hopes to join one of the tertiary institutions soon. It was a relief to know that their school fees could be easily paid thanks to GiveDirectly's generous support. I rely on subsistence farming, which is constantly hampered by adverse weather, which can result in crop failure. The loss is sometimes unbearable, but we are grateful for GiveDirectly's timely support"

"Milk has become incredibly expensive for my family of six, especially during the dry seasons when the only cow I obtained from a neighbor produces little milk. I rely on subsistence farming and occasionally sell surplus to pay household bills and school fees for my children. To ensure that my children have a steady supply of milk in the future, I plan to purchase a cow to supplement the small amount of milk produced by our only cow. I intend to make small monthly savings, and when I am ready, I intend to purchase a lactating cow that will provide us with milk in the future."