"I had a strong desire to own my cows because the ones currently in my house belonged to my son, and I lacked control over them, particularly when it came to selling them to meet the family's needs. When I received the transfer, I used it to purchase a cow valued at $150. I am genuinely delighted to now have one, and I am optimistic that they will reproduce and multiply in number. These will sustain me through my future, especially considering my old age, which limits my ability to engage in manual labor for income. Additionally, I acquired a 2500-litre water storage tank for $230, which has been instrumental in preserving the rationed water we receive twice a week. I am proud to say that this tank has allowed me to engage in small-scale irrigation for my kitchen garden and fruit cultivation. Consequently, I no longer need to purchase vegetables as frequently as before since I get them from the garden. I allocated $36 to purchase a new mattress, replacing the old and worn-out one I had used for a decade. With the remaining funds, I invested in purchasing cement to finalize the construction of a latrine slab. This was a project I initiated but could not complete due to financial constraints. I am profoundly thankful that the toilet is now fully functional, sparing me the discomfort of sharing one with my neighbor and upholding our dignity and privacy."

"My current objective is to set aside a minimum of $20 from my transfers, with the intention of rebuilding a rental property that my late husband had left unfinished. Unfortunately, the structure had collapsed, rendering it unattractive to potential tenants. This rental property had previously been a valuable source of income for my family until its unfortunate deterioration. My primary focus now is on realizing the substantial goal of reconstructing this rental house. To accomplish this, I am diligently saving $20 from my transfers every month. The aim is to amass sufficient savings to facilitate the purchase of the necessary construction materials. My ultimate goal is to restore the rental property to a condition where it can once again appeal to tenants, thereby generating a consistent rental income for my family's benefit."

"Expanding my chicken business has long been a cherished ambition, but financial constraints often held me back. Now, I am thrilled that I can turn this dream into reality using the profits from my current business. I also have plans to open a retail shop at the center of our community to boost my family's income. Achieving financial stability for my loved ones through these endeavors brings me great joy and relief. With hard work, dedication, and the support of my family and community, I am confident that a brighter future is on the horizon."

"GiveDirectly has made a significant difference in my life. It has provided me with much-needed support, allowing me to rise above the difficult circumstances I had previously faced. With their help, I was able to acquire valuable assets and ensure a consistent food supply for my family. This assistance has been a ray of hope, pointing us in the direction of greater financial stability and a brighter future. I am extremely grateful for GiveDirectly's assistance, which has made a significant difference for my family and me."

"In the upcoming year and beyond, my plan is to buy more livestock, particularly goats and chickens. This endeavour was somewhat challenging in recent times due to a severe drought that afflicted our region. As a result, a significant portion of my financial resources had to be allocated exclusively to securing food. However, I'm delighted that my household now enjoys an ample food supply following a successful harvest, which has given me the confidence to invest in additional goats. To facilitate my goal of acquiring more livestock, I've joined a merry-go-round savings group, where I contribute $10 every month. My objective is to use these savings to purchase the goats when it's my turn to receive the funds. Currently, I'm the proud owner of two goats and a small flock of chickens. These are the only assets I can proudly claim in my old age, and they serve as a form of financial security for my future needs."

"What I never expected in my life was to raise my children with difficulties including food insecurity and fee problems. This is exactly what is happening because life has become so miserable and it has not spared us. Imagine a child being sent home because of $5! At home, we also skip some meals, a situation that has directly affected our health status. Both our incomes with my husband can not fully cater to our needs because in a month we earn less than $100. Considering the many needs in our household, it becomes tough to balance between meeting all our basic needs. This has pained me as a mother since watching my children desperately has robbed away my joy. Hence, I consider financial instability as my biggest challenge."

"The harsh economic condition has made my life so difficult because the cost of commodities has gone high. This means it becomes tough to balance between food and school fees. Considering my monthly income of $60 as a cook, I can not fully cater to my family's basic needs. Sometimes I am forced to seek a salary advance at the school where I work to pay fees for my children. Taking an advance means postponing the problem because it will reach a point where I will miss payment. Hence, I consider financial constraints as my biggest challenge."

"Right after receiving the third, transfer, I could not wait to start spending since I had a lot enlisted. I then tried to address various crucial needs for my family of eight by first purchasing a $60 sack of maize to ensure we had enough food to sustain us. Additionally, I used $100 to pay the school fees for my three children, two of whom are in secondary school and one in college. Despite the challenges we faced due to the drought affecting our farming activities, which had previously been our ultimate source of income, I am immensely grateful that my children have continued their education, thanks to GiveDirectly's support. Furthermore, the safety and well-being of my three daughters were a concern, as they had been seeking shelter in the neighborhood. To address this, I used $240 in materials and paid a labor cost of $50 to construct a new house within our compound, providing them with a comfortable and secure place to sleep. I am genuinely thankful for the generous support we received from GiveDirectly, which has significantly improved our quality of life and safety."

"As a family of seven, we often depend on charcoal burning for a living. Unfortunately, this business has been prohibited lately, and now putting food on the table is almost an issue. However, I am glad to thank GiveDirectly for being our financial assistant. Indeed, education is the key to a brighter and more promising future. It opens doors to opportunities, broadens horizons, and empowers individuals to reach their full potential. So when I received my transfers, I used $80 to clear school fees for my children in grades 5 and 6. I also spent $112 on bedding,a necessity for our comfort and well-being. Unfortunately, my mother was facing health issues, so I used $80 for medication. I spent the remaining transfers on food, which is crucial for our family's sustenance."

"I have devised a plan to allocate my upcoming transfers towards the purchase of livestock, specifically goats. I hold a positive outlook that these goats will reproduce and multiply, leading to an increase in their numbers and ultimately boosting my overall wealth. Currently, I face difficulties during the off-season months when job opportunities are scarce. By engaging in livestock rearing, I will establish a fallback option that can sustain me and my family, particularly during periods of when I am not at work. The financial support I have received thus far has played a significant role in enhancing the quality of life for my family. I am immensely grateful for this assistance, as it has enabled me to make strides in improving our circumstances. With the prospect of investing in livestock, I am hopeful that the subsequent transfers will continue to contribute to our well-being and provide a measure of stability for our future."