"As I previously mentioned, we are among those who have been displaced by the insecurity caused by banditry in our area. My family and I were reliant on the goodwill of my brother-in-law for shelter, a situation that could sometimes be uncomfortable, given the uncertainty of relying on someone else's generosity. However, when GiveDirectly stepped in, I made a commitment to use the funds to provide a stable home for my family on the land we inherited from our father. Initially, I had purchased some construction materials, but they were insufficient for the project. With the third transfer, I allocated $350 to acquire additional building materials, including iron sheets and posts and covered the labour costs. I am delighted to share that we have now moved into our new house, and I could not be happier that we finally have a place to call our own. It's a significant relief not to depend on someone else for shelter. I utilized the remaining amount to ensure that my family of six had an ample food supply. This is crucial because my income from my tailoring business only amounts to $2 per day, which is insufficient to meet the family's needs. Knowing that they have enough food to sustain them for a while is a source of comfort, as it helps prevent them from experiencing hunger"

"Looking ahead, my primary goal is to repair the damaged wall in my house. With the recent rainy season, the mud walls on one side collapsed, leaving a significant hole. I have been slowly working on repairing it, but financial constraints have slowed down the process. However, now that we have had a recent harvest, I am optimistic that I can allocate a significant portion of the incoming cash transfers to secure more building poles and finally seal the large hole in my house. Once the house repairs are underway, I plan to start purchasing goats to add to the two that I already own. This will help me gradually build up a small herd of goats and gain financial security."

"Currently, my primary focus is directed towards the construction of a new house. The existing house my family occupies is in a dilapidated condition. The roof leaks, allowing rainwater to seep inside and dampen the interior space. Additionally, this structure serves a dual purpose as both a living area and a kitchen. I have held the goal of securing a suitable and comfortable house for my family for quite some time. Unfortunately, my child's illness disrupted this plan, as a substantial portion of the cash transfers had to be allocated towards covering his medical expenses. Furthermore, to provide adequate care for my son during his illness, I had to temporarily suspend my palm wine-selling business. This, in turn, placed additional constraints on my sources of income. However, I am grateful that my son's health has been steadily improving, and I'm now determined to resume my efforts to acquire the necessary building materials. At present, I have managed to acquire eight iron sheets, but I need at least 22 more to complete the construction, in addition to obtaining the required building poles."

"I plan to continue raising sheep. Currently, I have a total of eight sheep, all of which have been acquired through the cash transfers. Over a decade ago, I lost my job, and since then, I have embraced livestock rearing as my primary source of income. Initially, it was challenging to invest in livestock due to financial constraints. However, with the consistent support of these cash transfers, I have been able to acquire a considerable number of sheep. I aspire to increase this number to 20 in the upcoming years and beyond. I firmly believe that this will create enough wealth to support the education of my five children."

"Farming large scale has always been my desire but I do not have enough money to do so. I am only able to plant maize as food for my family which I can feed on for some few Months to come."

"This is now a rainy season, I live in fear knowing anytime a land slide mighty happen again which has lead to failure of future plans of large scale farming. It's hard for me to make plans for the future."

"I have sick person my follower, he's been down Oct Iast year. I take care of him and feeding as well. I struggle a little because the burden of care is big."

"In the coming year and beyond, my intention is to invest in livestock, particularly chickens and goats. Financial hardships have frequently left me struggling to meet even the most basic needs of my household. I lack a consistent source of income and rely solely on subsistence farming, without any additional employment opportunities to support my family adequately. I firmly believe that owning livestock is a promising venture in our economically challenged area. These animals serve as valuable assets that I can rely on to overcome my financial difficulties. Currently, I already have two goats and nine chickens that I am raising within my homestead. My overarching goal is to acquire more goats and chickens, nurturing them to multiply in numbers. This will enable me to sell these animals when needed, providing a dependable solution to my financial challenges and ultimately lifting me out of any financial crisis."

"My greatest aspiration is to witness all three of my children successfully completing their high school education. In the past, the constant struggle to pay their school fees often resulted in them being sent home, negatively impacting their academic progress. I harboured concerns that this situation might worsen when my husband retired from his job. Presently, we are solely reliant on subsistence farming with no source of income, making the monthly transfer our lifeline. Despite having pressing needs, such as ensuring enough food, my primary focus remains on securing my children's educational aspirations. While my financial situation may not be ideal, I am determined to ensure that their education remains uninterrupted, free from the burden of accumulating fee arrears. I am committed to utilizing the funds to support my children's education not only for the upcoming year but also for the years beyond."

"My current house consists of only one small room, which is insufficient to accommodate my wife, seven children, and myself. It lacks the necessary space for our growing family, and it becomes particularly challenging for the children to study comfortably. Therefore, my objective is to construct a larger house that can provide enough room for all of us. With the financial support from the transfers, I am confident that I will be able to achieve this goal. The prospect of having a spacious home for my family fills me with happiness and optimism. It will not only address our immediate need for more living space but also create an environment where my children can study and thrive."