"When I received my second cash transfer, I felt a wave of hope wash over me. With $135, I bought two sheep, knowing they would provide us with milk when they give birth and serve as a valuable investment for our future. Livestock has always been important to our family's well-being, and I am excited about the possibilities this purchase brings. I also set aside $50 to pay for my children's school fees, which is essential for their education. In the past, I depended on farming and charcoal burning to raise enough money for their fees, but it was never guaranteed, especially during tough times. Furthermore, I realized that my family had no clothes at home; we only had worn-out outfits. I spent $100 to purchase new clothes, which made me feel proud and happy to have something decent to wear. With the remaining $165, I invested in crop farming by cultivating one acre of land. Farming is crucial for us to have enough food at home and to generate income to pay for school fees. However, the cost of fuel for the generator to pump water is very expensive, so I had to divide my money wisely to make it last. Life has been hard, especially before I received this money. Since the day we got the cash transfer, everything feels easier. My husband and I alternate our responsibilities; he looks after the animals while I tend to the farm. We are a family of three, and the support from GiveDirectly has truly changed our lives for the better. With this assistance, I feel a sense of relief and optimism for our future."

"I am educated, but I do not have the money to continue my education. My goal is to continue farming, and when we start earning an income, I hope to go back to school either for myself or for my wife to further her education. I believe education is important for a better future, so I will give her a chance to start first, and then I can pursue my studies later. This plan not only helps us improve our lives but also sets a good example for our children. I am determined to make this work, as I want to show my family that with hard work and perseverance, we can achieve our dreams. In the coming years, I see a brighter future for us, where education plays a key role in our success."

"In the coming years, I hope to build a sustainable source of income by starting a poultry business, as I see a promising, steady market for poultry products. Rearing chickens would provide us with eggs and meat to sell, giving my family a reliable income. Alongside this, I want to keep expanding our crop farming, which not only supports us with food but also offers a way to earn extra money during harvest times. I believe that with both poultry and crop farming, we can improve our standard of living and provide better opportunities for our children. This combination of farming and poultry would also help us become more resilient against tough seasons or unexpected losses. In the long run, I see this as a way to bring lasting stability and growth to our family."

"In the coming years, my main goal is to invest more in livestock, as it’s something I can manage well. The animals I initially bought have already started to multiply, which gives me hope for a stable source of income. By growing my livestock, I’ll be able to support my family better and even cover school fees for my children as they grow. Each new birth feels like a step toward a more secure future, and this motivates me to keep working hard. I know that by focusing on livestock, I’m building a foundation that will benefit us for years to come. My dream is to eventually expand the herd, providing both food and income to meet my family’s needs."

"The biggest change in my life after receiving the transfer is that I now have goats that give us milk, something I never imagined owning. Before, I depended only on casual jobs, which barely covered our food, let alone allowed me to save or invest in anything long-term. The idea of buying livestock felt impossible because we were always focused on just getting by. But now, thanks to the money from GiveDirectly, I have these goats, which give us a steady supply of milk and help reduce our expenses. This small investment feels like a step toward a more secure future. Having goats also gives me hope that I can continue building a better life for my family, something I didn’t think was possible before."

"Before receiving the transfer, building a store was just a distant hope. My teaching salary was already stretched thin to cover food, school fees, and other needs for my four children. I knew a store would help us keep our supplies safe and make life easier, but it never felt possible because it wasn’t a basic need compared to everything else. The cash transfer allowed me to finally make it happen. Now, we have a secure place to store food and materials, which means I can buy in bulk when prices are low and protect our supplies from weather and pests. This change has lifted a big weight off my shoulders, and I’m incredibly thankful to GiveDirectly for making this dream a reality."

"GiveDirectly did an excellent job educating us on how to use the funds wisely. They asked thoughtful questions that encouraged us to consider our needs carefully and provided valuable advice on using the money effectively. Their support made us feel confident and satisfied with their work. We encountered no issues or weaknesses in their program; everything went smoothly. They listened to our concerns and offered guidance that was both practical and helpful. We are truly grateful for their efforts and appreciate the positive impact they have made on our lives."

"We are going through incredibly tough times right now. The dry spell has stretched on and on, bringing severe drought, and leaving us all facing hunger. This year, with things as they are, my priority is to keep using my transfers to buy food and water so my family can get by until the rains finally come and we can hopefully harvest enough to fill our stores again. Also, looking ahead, I dream of building something sustainable for my future. Once the drought conditions improve, I plan to use a portion of my transfers to buy more goats, adding to the small herd that I already have. I envision these goats multiplying over time, giving me a source of income that I can lean on in the future when this program eventually comes to an end. Additionally, managing my health is another important goal. I plan to keep using a portion of my transfers to buy my monthly medication so I can take care of myself and stay strong. I cannot say enough how grateful I am to GiveDirectly for this support. It is not just helping us get through these challenging days but it is also giving me hope and a chance to build a future I can rely on."

"I have always dreamt of having a proper bed and a mattress to rest on, especially since I am currently sleeping on a bed made of ropes with no mattress on it making it very uncomfortable. Finally, I managed to pay off the bed, but now I’m focused on saving up for a mattress. Recently, I was able to complete payments for the bed that I wanted. Now, my plan for this coming year is to set aside a portion of my transfers, little by little, until I have enough to buy a comfortable mattress. Just imagining having a comfortable place to sleep fills me with hope and gratitude. After that, I want to use part of my transfers to buy goats, adding to the few I already have hoping that they will multiply and increase in number and value so that in the future I may have something to rely on. Additionally, with my health being a concern at my age, I also plan to dedicate part of my transfers to seeking medical care and ensuring I can manage my nutrition so I can live as healthily as possible. I feel incredibly thankful for the support I get from GiveDirectly."

"With my dream of owning livestock, my plan for this coming year and beyond is to save a portion of my transfers that I receive from GiveDirectly so that once I accumulate enough funds, I may use them to buy more goats and chicken, hoping that they will multiply and grow in both number and value, providing me with a reliable source of income support in the future. In the meantime, given the ongoing drought and hunger we are facing, I plan to continue using another portion of my transfers to continue buying food and water. This is very crucial for us to avoid going hungry until this drought passes. I am determined to secure a better future for my family, and I truly appreciate the support that makes this possible."