"We have livestock and we lack a good storage of animal feeds. After harvesting it's important to store maize plants, it's good animal feed. When left on the ground they are eaten up by termites. This makes it difficult keeping enough feeds for the livestock. I don't have a store to keep safe. It affects our ability to feed well our livestock for optimal milk production. Which has affected our milk production for domestic use. During drought periods it's important to have your own stored animal feeds. It makes work easier, hence my urge to ensure I have a good store."

"Because of my old age, I'm facing a lot of challenges mainly health related and a lack of money. My old age does not allow me to work in the farms and I'm forced to depend on my children who bring me food and also assist me sell my goats. This has made it difficult to afford food and medical assistance since the money I get is not enough to cater for all my needs."

"Since I'm a single parent taking care of my three children, life has been very difficult. At the moment a lack of money to purchase food, pay school fees and cater for other needs such as medical needs has been difficult. This has been particularly hard since I solely depend on selling vegetables in Sandai Center which is not enough. I have been forced to close business several times due to a lack of money to buy stock. This usually saddens me a lot."

"Lack of a reliable job! Doing a casual job in our area means involving oneself in magnesium extraction, charcoal work, or as a laborer on construction sites. All these activities are energy-intensive and time-consuming yet their income is low, usually $80 per month. Looking at this income, it's hardly enough to cater to all our basic needs and this means foregoing other necessities. Considering my age, I never expected myself to work in these sites but I am forced to perform them to make ends meet. What a life! I, therefore, consider the lack of a reliable source of income as my biggest challenge."

"The nature of my jobs! Charcoal burning, manganese extraction, and the making of pebbles are among my casual activities that act as my sources of income. Looking at these activities, they are energy-intensive and time-consuming. The amount I get from my work has never gone past $40 per month. This means I have struggled a lot to meet our very basic needs. It becomes so painful to desperately watch your child at home while others in school. What a painful moment as a parent! Balancing between food and school fee is a challenge and in most cases, education is affected the most. Hence, I have always opined that, financial instability stands out as my biggest problem."

"As a single mother after separation from my husband 3 years ago, life has never been the same. Taking care of my 4 children single-handedly is an up-task because balancing between food provision and school fees is not easy. This has pushed me to live a life of disappointment since my children's education is at stake. Recalling back the last term, my 2 children missed exams due to fee arrears of $20. At home, the work I do is not reliable since I actively engage in casual job of making pebbles for construction. In a month I usually make utmost $30, an amount that I use for food and school fees. Hence, the lack of a reliable source of income becomes my biggest challenge."

"I first bought books for my schooling children."

"I have been using most of the monthly transfers to pay my children's school fees in portions as am not able to raise the whole amount at once due to my low income. This being the final term of the year, I would like to clear their respective balances to avoid carrying forward any debts into next year. Once this has been achieved, I can then focus on completing a project I have been working on for a while. I have been planning to construct a separate house so that my children who are now grown enough can have a separate room to sleep for more privacy. We are all currently sharing the small house I own and it gets more uncomfortable each day especially as my male child gets older. I have been purchasing the required materials in bits, but after clearing my children's fees for the term, I will have more flexibility with the transfers to buy the rest of the materials and finally complete this project. This will offer us all more privacy and comfort as a family."

"Receiving the second cash transfer of $275 from GiveDirectly was a ray of hope in my life. With careful consideration, I decided to invest $90 in three goats. Goats seemed a wise choice, as they multiply quickly and have a reliable market for sale. Hopeful for a better future, I believed their numbers would grow, giving me a safety net for any future challenges. Another $30 went into purchasing essential food supplies, ensuring that my family wouldn't go hungry. The remaining $150, I safeguarded diligently. My dream of owning a piece of land to build a new home is inching closer to reality. Currently staying at my parents' place due to my separation from my husband, feelings of shame, and a loss of respect are my constant companions. It is not easy to have the life I once envisioned shattered, but the goats and the savings are like rays of sunshine through the clouds. They hold the promise of self-reliance, a renewed sense of purpose, and the chance to stand on my own feet once again."

"My co-wife and I, both beneficiaries, saw an opportunity to change our family's circumstances. Together, we decided to invest in a dairy cow, pooling our resources to purchase it for $500. Our days of laboring over charcoal burning were exhausting and barely enough to make ends meet. The dairy cow held the promise of a steady income through milk production, an indication of stability in our unpredictable lives. We knew that with proper care, this animal could pave the way for a brighter future. Using a portion of my share, I immediately paid off the school fees for my two children in secondary school. It was a weight lifted off my shoulders, as borrowing money for their education had been a heavy burden. The remaining debts I owed to various shopkeepers were settled too, a step towards regaining my reputation and trustworthiness in the community. With a sense of relief, I turned my attention to the other needs of my family. It was heartwarming to see my children's faces light up as they tried on their new clothes. The cash transfer didn't just provide us with money; it provided us with choices, a chance to shape our lives, and an opportunity to rise above the challenges that once held us back."