"I have a strong desire to acquire a new bed and mattress to improve the quality of my sleep. The current sisal twine bed I have is incredibly uncomfortable, and I believe that investing in a new bed and mattress will provide me with much-needed comfort. During the holidays, my grandchildren often come to visit me in the village. To ensure their comfort and convenience, I aspire to construct an additional room that can accommodate them during their visits. This will not only enhance their experience but also make their stay more enjoyable. I am filled with happiness and gratitude because the financial assistance I have received has proven to be invaluable, especially during the harsh period of intense drought in our village. It has truly made a significant difference in helping me meet my needs and overcome challenges posed by the drought."

"My daughter is currently in Class Eight at Ikanga Primary School. As the year comes to a close, she will be sitting for her end-of-term exams before transitioning to secondary school. I have great confidence in her abilities and believe she will excel in her exams, paving the way for her to move on to secondary education. To ensure a smooth transition, I am determined to save more money so that by the start of the next year, I will be able to enroll my daughter in a secondary school. The support I have received thus far has brought me immense happiness and has been instrumental in assisting me in achieving this goal for my daughter's education."

"My primary goal is to acquire a dairy cow as it will provide me with a consistent source of income through milk sales, enabling me to support my family. To accomplish this, I plan to start by purchasing some goats and raising them. Once they multiply, I can sell some of them and use the proceeds to buy the dairy cow. Additionally, I recognize the need to address the worn-out and rusty iron sheets that currently cover my house. To prepare for the upcoming rainy season, I intend to invest in new iron sheets and replace the old ones. The support I am receiving is truly uplifting, as it is helping me make significant progress towards achieving my goals, despite the challenges of being a single parent."

"In 1996, I constructed my house, and since then, I have only carried out a complete renovation once. My primary occupation revolves around tending to my livestock, and during the rainy season, I engage in farming. As we anticipate the approaching El Niño phenomenon in the coming years, my utmost priority is to repair the roof of my house and ensure that it remains watertight. This is a significant accomplishment for me, as it will safeguard my home from potential leaks and damages caused by the heavy rainfall. I am incredibly grateful for the assistance that has enabled me to make progress towards realizing my aspirations."

"I want to express my profound gratitude to GiveDirectly for their incredible support, which has completely transformed my life in a remarkably short time. Until recently, I was living in a humble grass-thatched hut and the prospect of having a decent home seemed like an unattainable dream until GiveDirectly came. I had spent countless hours replacing the worn-out grass on my roof, and whenever it rained, the leaks were uncontrollable, making my home far from comfortable. Now, I find solace in my new house with a sturdy iron roof, all thanks to the unwavering support from GiveDirectly. My dream of owning a better house has finally become a reality. I purchased building materials such as iron sheets, building poles, and paid for labor, making this transformation the most significant one I've experienced. In addition to building a house, I also acquired goats, the primary source of wealth for those of us living in poverty in my region. Meaningful employment opportunities that can adequately cover our basic needs, such as food, are scarce. I always harboured a deep desire to raise goats someday. With my recent transfers, I decided to invest $120 in purchasing three goats, which I am currently tending to. These goats represent a crucial asset for me, and as they reproduce, I plan to sell their offspring, thereby generating additional income. Furthermore, the transfers have provided much-needed relief in terms of purchasing enough food for my family."

"Selling timbers from my forest si as to ablto buy land in a safe place to settle"

"I am in the process of enrolling in a driving school, my main goal is to be employed as a driver. My cousin has offered me a job opportunity once I obtain my driver's license. Additionally, I plan to open a shop conveniently located near my former school, as the closest shop was quite a distance away."

"Our family of eight struggles to make ends meet, and every penny we earn is spent on putting food on the table. My biggest concern was education for my three children in grades 6, 3, and 2. I knew education was their ticket to a brighter future, so I used $150 for their school fees, and now I am hopeful for a brighter future. Furthermore, I had always dreamed of rearing goats, but our finances were never enough to fulfill that dream. I am employed as a watchman on Somali-owned land to prevent wild animals from encroaching on the crops. It is a tough job, but it earns me about $40 a month—barely enough to support my family. I am glad the transfers made my dream come true, as I bought two goats for $95 and now my children are busy looking after the small herd after school. To add to our financial woes, I had a pending dowry to pay. I have been married since 2014 and had already paid $500 towards it, but there remained a hefty $100 to settle. The dowry was a symbol of my love and commitment to my wife, and I was determined to clear this debt so I used the rest of the transfers to reduce this debt."

"I intend to start a vegetable selling business, this will address the scarcity of vegetables in our village. Furthermore, I will invest on goat rearing for income generation. At the same time I will rear chicken as a delicacy for my visitors, especially, my parents. Additionally, I will commit a portion of the transfers to supporting my child's education, ensuring a bright future for my little one."

"I have suffered diabetes for almost eight years now. This has made me to forgore working and depends on my children for survival. I can also not walk long distances due to this problem."