"After many years of drought, I am relieved that the current rainy season made farming possible. Therefore, with sufficient food available, my goal is to channel most of the cash transfers towards purchasing goats. I am happy that past cash transfers enabled me to acquire one goat, which has since given birth to a kid. I believe that by continuing to rear goats, I can build up assets that I can sell in the future to meet my needs. Given my age and occasional health issues, I cannot engage in strenuous work. Rearing livestock is a suitable livelihood option for me."

"I can vividly remember the day I received my transfer. I was deeply engrossed in harvesting maize when suddenly, my phone buzzed with a message alert. Initially, I thought it might be a message from my service provider, so I didn't pay much attention to it. However, as I overheard others celebrating the receipt of their cash from GiveDirectly, curiosity got the better of me, and I quickly checked my phone. To my suprise and joy, I discovered that GiveDirectly had sent me money. A mixture of disbelief and happiness washed over me, making it the most heartwarming news I had received in a long time. Filled with immense happiness, I immediately engaged in discussions about how to utilize the funds, especially since my children had been sent home from school due to unpaid fees. I am profoundly grateful for the timely support that provided significant relief during my time of greatest need."

"My aspiration is to establish my own tailoring shop, as I possess the necessary skills to operate one proficiently. My target is to kickstart this venture by January, as my current situation of working at someone else's place is not ideal for me. It has been challenging to maintain consistency in my work, as I often do not have the opportunity to fully apply my skills. To make my dream a reality, I am diligently planning to invest in a new sewing machine, which is estimated to cost around $100. I firmly believe that this investment will enable me to become self-employed and self-reliant. Operating my own tailoring shop will provide me with the independence to serve my own clientele and generate a stable income. I am excited about the prospect of putting my skills to practical use, as such opportunities are relatively scarce in our region. With this endeavor, I am not only pursuing financial stability but also fulfilling my passion and contributing positively to my community through my expertise in tailoring."

"I currently have two sons enrolled in high school, and it has been quite a challenge to meet their tuition fees. In the past, I struggled to pay their fees on time, which put them at risk of being discontinued from school. Unfortunately, I do not have any additional income that could have made it easier for me to cover their educational expenses. While my other children would have liked to assist, they also have their own families to support. My primary objective is to ensure that my children can continue their education despite my financial constraints. The monthly transfers I receive provide me with the assurance that I need to pay for my sons' education on time. This support is crucial for them to complete their high school education and ultimately achieve their educational goals. I depend on these transfers to make sure they can stay in school and have the opportunity for a brighter future."

"My current residence is quite small and lacks ample space. Currently, I am in the process of saving $20 each month with the goal of constructing a two-room extension, which will require a total of 18 iron sheets. So far, I have managed to purchase 14 iron sheets through the financial assistance I've received. I am sincerely grateful to GiveDirectly for making this possible through their generous transfers. I am optimistic that, as I continue to accumulate savings, I will be able to acquire the remaining iron sheets and the necessary building poles to commence construction. The prospect of having a more spacious house holds immense significance for me, as it means that my children will no longer have to seek shelter from neighbours at night."

"Having successfully achieved my objective of constructing a new house, my next plan involves utilizing my funds to acquire additional goats. I hold the belief that these goats will prove to be a valuable resource in times of financial uncertainty. As a subsistence farmer, my income is not stable or dependable, making livestock ownership a prudent investment choice. I can anticipate selling some of them and generating a supplementary income stream. Additionally, goats are easy to maintain and require less management, further solidifying their appeal as an investment option."

"My objective is to expand my livestock holdings, particularly by focusing on acquiring more goats and cows. These animals are relatively easy for me to care for, and I can depend on them as a financial safety net during challenging times. Currently, I am the proud owner of fifteen goats that I have been actively breeding. Given that I primarily engage in subsistence farming and lack a consistent source of income, these livestock provide invaluable support. My aim is to allow these animals to multiply, enabling me to sell them when I face urgent financial needs. Additionally, I have four grandsons whose education I actively support. Their father's employment situation is not stable, and there have been instances where I've had to step in and provide assistance. Given my less-than-favourable financial circumstances, I am concerned about their educational prospects. Consequently, I intend to rely on the growth of my goat herd as a means to secure their education."

"At the moment, I believe that livestock ownership is the most promising venture for me, primarily because it is relatively easy to manage. I currently have a small poultry flock and one sheep, but financial constraints have prevented me from expanding my livestock holdings. For a considerable period, I struggled with severe food shortages, largely due to prolonged drought conditions. Most of my income was devoted to purchasing food and water, leaving no room for investments in livestock. However, a positive turn of events occurred recently when I successfully cultivated my five-acre plot of land and reaped a bountiful harvest. With food security no longer a pressing concern, I am now in a position to allocate my monthly transfers towards acquiring livestock, with a particular focus on goats that have the potential to multiply over time. This strategic livestock investment will not only help me address my financial obligations but also secure my future. I intend to save a portion of my monthly income to gradually build up my livestock assets"

"I'm in the process of acquiring building materials like iron sheets and building poles to construct a new house. For quite some time, I've been residing in a grass-thatched hut that constantly requires maintenance. With a family of six children, none of whom have a proper dwelling, I believe this new house will provide a comfortable and secure home for all of us. My plan is to purchase a minimum of 20 iron sheets and the necessary building poles to facilitate the construction of our new house. This opportunity to have a decent home is especially significant, considering that we currently have an ample supply of food in our household. Building a house has been a challenging endeavor for us, particularly because of the difficult circumstances we've faced. My husband is no longer able to work due to his age, which has added to our challenges. Nonetheless, I am determined to see this project through to provide a better living environment for my family."

"Food insecurity is the challenge I am currently facing in life. I do subsistence farming but the challenge is wildlife conflict in the village. They destroy farm produce and that has made me to rely on my husband who does casual jobs. Sometimes the family goes without food or the food available is given to children only."