"The plan I have now is to clear the remaining balance of $100 for the half a acre piece of land I recently secured. This land is on raised ground, which is much safer compared to where we currently live. I intend to move our house to this new plot to avoid future flooding incidents, especially after what happened to my grandmother. She is over 70 years old, and during the last floods, our house was submerged while she was inside. We had to rescue her and take her to a neighbor's place for safety. By relocating to higher ground, I can ensure my family, particularly my grandmother, will be protected from such dangers in the future."

"Going forward, my plan for this year and the years to come is to invest in livestock keeping and crop growing. I intend to use the next transfers from GiveDirectly to buy more goats and to invest in farming. This will help ensure that there is a sustainable income in my household, providing financial stability for my family. The thought of having livestock and crops fills me with confidence, knowing that I will have something to rely on in times of emergency. I feel much better knowing that I can build a foundation for the future and take care of my family's needs, even when unexpected challenges arise."

"My next goal for this year and beyond is to improve my quality of life. Right now, I only have one set of clothes, as the floods swept away everything I owned. I plan to buy more clothes so that I am properly dressed and also to purchase essential household items, like utensils, to make sure my home has the basics it needs. I am eagerly waiting for the final transfer from GiveDirectly, which will help me make this plan a reality. The thought of being able to fully recover from the shock of the floods fills me with happiness. It means not only restoring my life to what it was before but even taking a few steps forward to rebuild and create a better, more comfortable life."

"When I received $450 from GiveDirectly, I chose to invest in things I didn’t have but truly needed. With $240, I bought four sheep, as I previously had no livestock—drought had wiped out my animals. I have always loved keeping livestock because it provides a steady food supply and generates income. I’m hopeful that these sheep will grow into a larger herd, something I can rely on even after the GiveDirectly program ends. I also used $60 to pay school fees for my grandson, who lives with me. Being able to support his education has been very meaningful to me, as it’s my way of showing love and creating a brighter future for him. Education is one of the best ways I can make a lasting difference in his life. The rest of the money went toward buying food, ensuring we have enough to eat, even though floods destroyed my farm. Having food at home despite the challenges we’ve faced is something I am deeply grateful for."

"My goal for this year, and for the future, is to complete the construction of a new house for my family. I have already started purchasing building materials, and now I’m eagerly waiting for the final transfer from GiveDirectly to complete the project. This new house means more than just a place to live; it represents a future of comfort, safety, and stability. Once finished, we’ll have a home that provides protection, especially during the flood seasons, which have always been a threat to us in our current house. Knowing that soon we will be in a secure and spacious home fills me with hope and relief, and I look forward to the peace of mind it will bring my family."

"My goal for the coming years is to focus on farming, especially once I receive my third transfer. Since I am getting older, charcoal burning has become too physically demanding for me. Farming feels more manageable, and with the help of my children, I believe I can make it successful. My children are now old enough to assist, so we will work together to make the most of the land. This plan gives me hope, as it will provide food and income for our family without the need for the hard labor of charcoal burning. I look forward to building a stable future for us through farming."

"The money arrived during the night, and although I heard the message, I didn’t pay much attention to it. Then, in the morning around 8 a.m., I decided to check my phone, and to my surprise, I found that the transfer had come through! I felt a wave of joy and relief, thanking God because just the day before, my child’s teacher had called, reminding me about the school fees that were due. I had been so worried, knowing I didn’t have any way to pay. This money came at the perfect time, and I couldn’t believe my luck. It felt like a true blessing, lifting a huge weight off my shoulders."

"It was a quiet night when I heard the familiar tone of a message from my phone. I couldn’t check it then because I didn’t know how to read, so I waited until morning. The first thing I did was hand the phone to my granddaughter, Grace, and ask her to check the message for me. As she read it aloud, she told me that the first transfer had been sent. A wave of happiness and relief washed over me, knowing that the support was finally here. My first thought was about my daughter’s health. She had been unwell, and the money would be a big help in getting her the care she needed."

"As a widow, I rely on my children for support, but they also have their own families to care for. When I received my most recent transfer, I knew I had to use it wisely to address the most urgent needs. First, I spent $128 to take my daughter to the hospital. She had been very sick, and I did not have the means to get her the medical care she needed before. Thanks to the transfer, she received treatment, and I am happy to say that she is doing much better now. It was a huge relief for me, as I was deeply concerned about her health. After taking care of my daughter’s health, I used $60 for food. It is important that we always have enough to eat, and this amount helps us get through some difficult times. With the remaining $362, I started building a new house. The one I was living in was old and on the verge of collapsing, and I could not keep putting off the need for a safer place to live. The transfer allowed me to begin construction, and I’m hopeful that once I receive the next transfer, I’ll be able to complete it and finally have a secure home for my family."

"Given the current drought and the hunger we are facing, my plan for this year is to continue using part of my transfers to make sure my family has enough food to avoid going hungry. It is a struggle, but I will keep prioritizing our food needs, especially during these tough times. At the same time, with my grandchildren still in school, I am committed to using another portion of the funds to pay their school fees, ensuring they can stay in school and continue their education. Another big concern for me is the roof of my house. It is very old and rusty, and it desperately needs to be replaced. However, with the drought still ongoing, I cannot focus on the roofing just yet. So, I am waiting for the rains to come, hoping that we will farm and have a good harvest to sustain us for a long period. Once we have enough food stored, I will begin redirecting part of my GiveDirectly transfers from buying food to gradually buying iron sheets to replace the roof. It is a slow process, but I am determined to fix our home, step by step. The support I am receiving from GiveDirectly gives me hope that I can take care of my family and our needs, even in the face of so many challenges."