"Right now, my focus is on building a new house. I usually spend my nights in the kitchen structure, which is already a very cramped space as most of it is occupied by the cooking area. Moreover, the structure is in a deteriorating condition, making it inconvenient for me to continue spending my nights there. In the past, building a new house was challenging because there was no source of funds for it. When the cash transfers came in, I saw it as an opportunity to build a new house. This is why I have been using part of the money to buy building materials like iron sheets and tree poles. My goal is to build a two-room house with mud walls and a tin roof, and I hope that the cash transfers will enable me to achieve this dream."

"Since I am advanced in age and can no longer take on strenuous jobs to provide for my family, my goal is to invest in livestock keeping. I am confident that by the time the transfers come to an end, I will have a substantial livestock holding. I can sell some of these animals to contribute towards the household needs and reduce our dependence on my son. My main focus is on goats to start with, and I may include other livestock as time goes by."

"In the coming year and beyond, my goal is to repair my house. It was built a long time ago, and as it's a mud-walled house, the wooden poles are beginning to weaken, and some of the walls are caving in. Ideally, I would have liked to replace each wall with bricks, but I lack the financial means to do so. Since I share the space with my two daughters-in-law, who are also cash transfer recipients, we have agreed to start contributing to the house's repair. To begin with, we plan to build a concrete skirting around it to strengthen the foundation. Later, when we are capable, we can start replacing the mud walls with brick walls."

"I have already acquired six goats through some of the previous cash transfers, and my goal is to continue increasing the herd. Besides the monthly cash transfers, raising livestock is the only source of income that helps me keep my six children in school by paying their school fees. I wish to be able to support all of them until they graduate from college, and I'm relying on the cash transfers to enable me to buy as many livestock as possible to achieve this goal."

"After the recent rains, which supported farming in my region after a long period of drought, my family was able to harvest enough food to last us until the end of this year. It was because of this that I was able to use the cash transfers to buy a mattress, as I had been sleeping on the floor using sacks as my bedding. By the end of this year, I hope to have bought a wooden bed to go with the mattress. After buying the bed, I would be happy if I could buy goats as they are a crucial form of investment in my family's future. After the cash transfers end, I can sell the animals to contribute towards my grandchildren's school fees and food."

"My son works in a small business buying and selling livestock at the marketplace, and he is the sole provider for the family, which includes his wife, six young children, and me. Until we recently harvested maize from our farm, it had always been a challenge for him to put daily meals on the table because his earnings were inconsistent. I would be pleased if I could actively contribute to the household's needs even after the cash transfers end and reduce the burden on him. However, since I am elderly and unable to take on strenuous jobs, my goal is to generate income through livestock keeping. I want to start raising goats now that there is enough food at home. Also, by the end of the year, I hope to have purchased a new bed and mattress for my new house, which I recently completed building and moved into."

"GiveDirectly's program has been highly effective and sustainable for many households in our village. Everyone is immensely grateful because it arrived at a time when we needed it the most, providing us with the freedom to address the unique challenges within our households. The impact of this program is evident, and everyone is delighted with the outcomes, as we had the chance to decide how to utilize the support. The officers who visited and continue to visit us have been exceptional, ensuring that we receive the right information to protect our funds from potential fraudsters. I hope that this level of support and service will continue, as many people in our community are in dire need of such support to help lift them out of poverty."

"With the arrival of my second transfer, I finally had the opportunity to fulfil a long-standing dream of building a decent house. This was not easy before, as my wife and our six grandchildren were confined to our old house, while I had to live in someone else's house because ours was too small to accommodate us all. However, achieving this goal has been a challenge in the past due to the lack of a stable income, as I rely on my children who often have their own financial responsibilities. Thanks to the $450 from the transfer, I used the entire amount to construct the house. These accomplishments have filled me with gratitude, contentment, and pure joy."

"Upon receiving my first transfer, I spent $15 in the purchase of a barbed wire and heavy gauge chain link. I am planning to use these materials to fence a small portion of my land. By doing so, I'll be able to plant seasonal crops during rainy season and go on with my daily activities without worrying that my crops will be destroyed by livestock. This will not only guarantee increased harvest but also food security for my family. Using the remaining $3, I purchased some maize flour for our consumption. I am glad that this has enabled my family to take at least a single meal in a day unlike before when we would at times go for days without food."

"Looking ahead to the coming year and beyond, my primary objective is to expand my investment in hens by acquiring more of them and increasing their population. By allowing them to multiply, I can sell a portion of them and utilize the proceeds to meet the needs of my family. This sustainable source of income will provide us with greater stability and alleviate some of the financial burdens we currently face. Another important aspect of my plan is to prioritize the education of my nieces and nephews, ensuring that they receive a high-quality education that they rightfully deserve. I am committed to providing them with the necessary resources and support to excel in their studies, opening doors to brighter opportunities and a promising future. The support received from Give Directly has been beyond words. It has significantly alleviated the burden of caring for my family, allowing me to pursue my goals and aspirations with greater confidence. I am immensely grateful for the financial assistance, as it has brought newfound hope and stability to our lives. The impact of this support is immeasurable, and it fills me with joy to witness the positive changes it has brought to my family's well-being."