"I really want to rear cattle, but their prices are very high. Therefore, through GiveDirectly transfers, I want to invest in buying goats, at least one each month. Acquiring these goats will enable me to buy a goat. Since goats multiply very fast, I will sell some and generate money to enable me to buy a bull. I have done research and I am told that once I have $200, this will be enough to buy a grown bull that can help me cultivate my land. In our area, most people plough their land using bulls and, since they are scarce at times, we have to wait, in addition to being costly. I believe this bull will earn me more income because, apart from using it to plough my farm, it will also plough other people's farms and earn me money. Therefore, I am grateful to GiveDirectly for enabling me to have hopes to meet my dream goal."

"In the coming year and beyond, I want to focus on buying a mattress and a bed. With two children and a house given to me by my parents after separating from my spouse, I want to ensure that I maintain a clean and comfortable house for my children. Currently, our biggest need is proper bedding, as our current mattress and bed are too small and old. We are making do with the situation while we look for a better option. Therefore, in the upcoming year, I plan to use my transfer to purchase a better and more spacious mattress and bed. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for easing my financial situation and making it easier for me to acquire these much-needed items."

"My biggest challenge is getting money to pay fees for my 1 secondary school child. My 2 acre farm under Maize plantation that i was depending on was swept away and destroyed by the floods. I am facing the challenge of getting food for my family of 4. At my old age, i am left to only depend on children and relatives for support as i am not in the position of doing casual labour. Following the recent floods which swept through my houses, i am intending to migrate my family to a safer place (not prone to floods) but the challenge is getting money to purchase land."

"Having been mostly affected by the recent floods, my biggest shortcoming now is lack of money for use in constructing a house in a piece of land i bought that is located in a safer place not prone to floods. The vegetable farm that my family was depending on for income is drying due to lack of water for irrigation as the river it was depending on changed its course following the effects of flooding. This needs purchase of pipes from the main river which i can not currently do due to lack of money. I am also currently having challenges in paying all fees for my 3 secondary school children."

"Living in a region sorrounded by two rivers presents a formidable challenge, especially during the rainy season when floods become a regular occurrence. My biggest worry is the lack of financial means to move my family to a safer location during these moments of danger. Each flood incident escalates my concern for the safety of my loved ones, heightened further by the looming threat of waterborne illnesses that frequently accompany such crises. Moreover, the loss of my goat and two kids adds to the distress. Finding a resolution to this persistent predicament is crucial to securing the welfare of my family."

"The biggest difference in my life since I received the transfer is that my life is now filled with optimism about achieving my dream of living in a better house. Although I haven't built the house yet, I am optimistic that the second transfer will enable me to complete it. With the first transfer, I have managed to buy some iron sheets and frames. I will add more materials with the second transfer and start the construction. This new house will offer a more comfortable and beautiful living condition compared to our current small one-room house, which serves as both a living room and a sleeping area for my five daughters. Apart from being congested, the house is at risk of collapsing in heavy winds since its posts are very weak, not firmly installed in the ground, and have been eaten by termites. This situation makes it embarrassing to even invite friends or relatives over. The new house will provide us with much-needed space and security, enhancing our quality of life and restoring my confidence in hosting guests."

"Without money, life can be very hard. Living alone, I depend on charcoal burning to earn a living. On a good week, I earn $80, which all goes towards food for the household and supporting my elderly mother. However, after the floods, I had to reduce my charcoal burning activities as my health was deteriorating due to malaria. Now, I rely partly on my nephew for help and sometimes take on casual jobs when I am able. This situation has severely affected my financial stability, and it saddens me to see my family's financial status decline. The struggle to make ends meet has become even more challenging, and I hope for better days ahead."

"When the floods hit my homestead one month ago, all my vegetables were submerged and washed away. What was once a green farm is now bare. As a family of four, we used to depend on this kitchen garden to provide food and income. However, after the floods, I now depend on livestock keeping to earn a living. Unfortunately, the grazing fields were also affected, and now they have limited feed. Currently, our livestock graze on the abandoned lands, left barren by the floods.In addition to these challenges, I am a teacher by profession and I always commute 5 kilometers to school. Since the roads were destroyed by the floods, they are now impassable, and I have to part with $2 daily for transport. This fare is expensive, and I sometimes have to go on foot if I do not have the finances. I am afraid that I always get late when I walk.This situation is incredibly stressful and challenging. The floods have disrupted our livelihoods and daily routines, making it difficult to provide for my family and perform my job effectively. I am hopeful that with some assistance, we can rebuild and find stability once more."

"The flash floods that hit my village in April 2024 affected most of our livelihoods. As a family of five, we depend on casual jobs, farming, and charcoal burning to earn a living. Before the floods, life here was easier as we could secure food through these livelihoods. I am afraid that the damage caused by the floods cannot be fully measured. Now, we solely depend on charcoal burning, which, due to scarcity, earns us only $10 a week. This income is entirely spent on food, leaving us without surplus funds to purchase fuel for our farms. Since the floods, I have been unable to irrigate my 1-acre maize farm due to a lack of finances. This situation is incredibly disheartening, as the once stable sources of income and sustenance for my family have been severely disrupted, and we are struggling to regain our footing."

"Financial constraints are a significant challenge I am currently facing. As a family of four, we depend on maize farming to earn a living. However, this area experiences long dry seasons, necessitating irrigation. Purchasing fuel for irrigation is expensive, and I typically rely on charcoal burning to buy the fuel. Unfortunately, the recent floods that swept through our village, Murda, destroyed many trees, leaving me without any source of income. I am now deeply concerned about our food security. Without a steady income to purchase fuel and maintain our farm, we may face severe food shortages if we do not strive hard to make ends meet."