"When I received the third transfer, I decided to invest it in buying a dairy cow worth $30. This cow holds great significance for us as it will primarily provide milk for domestic use, particularly when our other two cows are not lactating. This decision allows us to avoid the high cost of purchasing milk and ensures a steady supply for both my spouse and me. Since we only need a small amount of milk, I am eager to share the surplus with our neighbors and grandchildren. It brings me joy to uphold our cultural belief that prohibits the selling of milk. As our herd expands through natural multiplication, we plan to sell the male calves. The proceeds from these sales will be instrumental in addressing various other needs that may arise within our family. With the remaining amount from the transfer, I purchased two sacks of maize and some other food items. This ensures that my spouse and I have enough food to sustain ourselves, especially since we are unable to engage in casual work due to old age. We rely on the sale of our livestock to meet our basic needs, so having enough food on hand has also safeguarded the future sale of our 10 goats."

"Navigating life's challenges as a parent of eight has been a journey marked by uncertainty and apprehension, especially concerning the state of our home. The constant fear of its collapse weighed heavily on my mind, a threat looming over the safety of my children. With neither my spouse nor I having stable employment, the prospect of renovation seemed like an unattainable dream. However, the second cash transfer presented an opportunity for transformation. By wisely investing in bags of cement, sand, and essential materials, I embarked on the journey of turning our dilapidated dwelling into a permanent house. The impending transformation of our home not only ensures physical safety but also restores a sense of pride and dignity. No longer will I carry the burden of inadequacy as a parent, haunted by the shortcomings of our dwelling. Instead, the ongoing renovation symbolizes resilience and determination, a testament to our unwavering resolve to provide a better future for our family. With each brick laid and every beam secured, I find solace in the knowledge that GiveDirectly has not only alleviated our immediate concerns but also reignited hope for a brighter tomorrow."

"My current objective is to purchase livestock, especially goats, so that I can breed them and sell them to generate income. As a widow who mainly relies on subsistence farming, I currently have no source of income and believe that owning some goats will be a good investment for me. I currently own seven goats, but my focus is to buy more. My goal is to breed and let them multiply, and I can readily sell the offspring to generate income when I am in a dire financial need."

"Lack of reliable sources of income is the challenge I am currently facing in life. I do casual jobs earning little income that caters for food and school fees. The income is low such that my children sometimes miss classes due to lack of school fees. This has affected their performances."

"Housing is the challenge I am currently facing in life. I live in a one room house which also serves as the kitchen together with my wife. Children have a separate structure though it is not spacious. It has one room. I cannot even accommodate my visitors. Most of the time I seek shelter from neighbors so as to accommodate my visitors whenever they come."

"Life at home has become so tough due to financial constraints. This has made us live a miserable life that has lowered our social status. Looking at our house, it is very small and it can not accommodate us. In addition, getting our meals also has a challenge and sometimes, me might be forced to survive on two or one in a day. For this reason, I usually feel stressed and it is because of this challenge that makes my life harder."

"In the past 1 year, my life has never been the same because of stomach complications. In February 2024, the situation worsened and I was rushed to hospital where I was diagnosed with appendix problem. This forced me to undergo an operation that has made me inactive at work. Since I am a family man, I feel so much depressed to desperately watch my family at home. In addition, I am not supposed to actively engage myself in any activity for a period of eight months. What a stressful life! For this period, I have been depending on well-wishers and this makes my life so tough."

"I plan to continue saving with the savings group, aiming to accumulate enough funds by the end of the year to purchase a bull. This investment will not only aid me in plowing my farm but also potentially generate income by providing plowing services to others. I am immensely pleased with the progress I have achieved with the financial assistance from Give Directly. My quality of life has significantly improved since receiving the transfers."

"With the abundant rainfall, I am eager to expand my farming endeavors, particularly focusing on maize and other short-season crops for quicker returns. Leveraging our herd of over 50 goats, I plan to sell some and utilize the proceeds to rent additional land, thereby doubling our agricultural output in a single season. As a family, our goal is to produce enough food and surplus to cover the school fees for our three children. The empowerment we have experienced over the past three months has been transformative, fueling our belief in our ability to achieve more with adequate capital to support our ideas."

"I am not well, which hinders me from doing any work. So, the only option for me is to rear livestock such as goats. For me, goats are easier to handle in my situation because they do not need much physical energy, and it is easy to graze them around the field, something that I can manage. Rearing goats is the surest source of wealth that I believe will solidify my financial stability even after the cash transfers have ended. Right now, I already have three goats from the transfers. I have been saving $20 every month through a savings group in my community. At the end of the year, I wish to receive a lump sum to acquire as many goats as the funds can afford me to grow my herd."