"Financial constraints is the greatest challenge because I do not have a stable source of income. I am a farmer and I sell maize to make ends meet but for the past three years, I have been incurring losses due to harsh climatic conditions. If I had a supplementary source of income things would be better as I would meet all my basic needs and that of my family."

"It was during the commencement of the planting season when I received the final transfer from GiveDirectly. I was committed to investing the entire sum into a profit-yielding venture with enduring benefits. I leased a 2-acre parcel of land at $100 and promptly initiated the land preparation. The plowing phase incurred an expense of $60, while the subsequent tilling and harrowing amounted to $100. During this period, I spent $30 on food provisions to the hired labor force. Since I already possessed all the necessary inputs, I proceeded to plant without any additional cost. Given the limited rainfall, I combined the remaining $160 with my savings to purchase a water pumping generator, facilitating consistent irrigation throughout the growth cycle of the maize plantation. As a single mother of four children, it was a demanding endeavor to prioritize intensive farming over other needs, but I am content with the outcome - a harvest of 17 sacks, each weighing 90 kg. Presently, I am in the process of drying the maize, preparing to bring it to the market and utilizing the proceeds to fulfill various needs I had initially foregone, including payment of school fees for my three children. It was unfortunate that, my elder daughter had a miscarriage and was admitted in recent weeks, resulting in a medical expenditure of $250 from my savings. I am relieved that she has been discharged and is recuperating at home."

"In the upcoming year and beyond, my aspiration is to leverage the income generated from goat farming to acquire a parcel of fertile land that will enable me to engage in subsistence farming. This endeavor holds the promise of providing ample sustenance for my family of eight and alleviating the high expenses associated with purchasing food. A driving factor behind this decision is my eagerness to expand my involvement in subsistence farming, a practice I had not previously pursued. Over time, I have heavily relied on buying food from neighboring farmers, incurring substantial costs. This challenge can only be resolved by venturing into productive farming on more fertile land, distinctly different from the rocky terrain we currently possess."

"We have children in secondary school, two girls. It's difficult raising their school fees. We've sold most of our livestock, now they are very few. We have about $200 fees areas. As a family, we believe that educating our children will give them a better future. This means we're worried and find it stressful when we cannot clear their fees. The school's administration sends them home when the fees is not fully paid."

"In the coming years and beyond, I have a plan to revive the dairy cow project that I used to have. Sadly, I had to let go of the project and sell everything to support my children's education, as I didn't have a reliable income source. However, I am looking forward to restarting the project with the assistance of my son, who has recently found employment. I believe this endeavor will provide a dependable source of income through milk sales, which will support my expenses during my old age."

"In the coming year and beyond, my strategy is to launch a cereal business in our nearby trading center. I see this as a promising opportunity, especially considering that there's currently no cereal shop in the area. People have to travel to Loboi Trading Center to purchase cereal products. By establishing this business, I'm aiming to tap into this demand and create an additional income stream, complementing the revenue generated from my tomato farming venture."

"Bought land and now digging foundation for building a house. The remaining portion will be used to buy a cow for grazing"

"I am currently working at a butcher shop and I have set my sights on financial success. I have taken the first step by investing in three goats, with a goal of expanding to ten. I am looking forward to their growth through breeding, which will create a steady income source. Alongside this, I'm also focused on growing my poultry business. Raising more chicks and selling them once they're fully grown is my plan to establish multiple streams of income. This journey is shaping up to fulfill my dreams of prosperity."

"I started with basic farming, and now I am aiming to do even better by raising cattle. Using the idea that worked when I bought a goat, I'm getting ready to invest in cows. Cows are really helpful in farming and also they provide milk that can be used at home. I'm showing how determined and smart I am by taking this step forward and I believe it will not only benefit me but also my family as a whole. Thank you so much GiveDirectly, for your support."

"I was home grazing my calf , I felt so happy. I first thought of buying a cow"