"I spent a significant portion of my first transfer to buy building materials, including 14 iron sheets, building poles, timber, and nails, to build a new house. My two children were struggling to find a place to sleep at night, and as they are older, it was not feasible for them to stay in my house. I wanted them to have their own space and privacy, so I decided to build them a house. I was worried that their current situation might expose them to bad influences and affect their school performance. When I received the first transfer, I made it a priority to address this issue by building the house for them. I am relieved that they now have their own place to stay. I also purchased a new bed and a mattress for them, costing $150, and made sure they had comfortable bedding. Additionally, I spent $65 on buying two goats, which I intend to breed and sell their offspring to support my future financial needs. These goats are valuable assets to me and will serve as a financial safety net."

"As a single mother raising two children, my most pressing challenge is the impact of unemployment on providing for my family's needs. Since January 2024, I have been unable to secure employment, making it increasingly difficult to afford my children's education, including their school fees. Previously, I worked as a teacher at the Madeteni Nursery School, which unfortunately closed due to low enrollment and the financial constraints of parents. This closure significantly affected my ability to provide for my children's education. I am required to pay $30 every term for school fees and $4 daily for food and other essential daily needs for my children, and this has become increasingly challenging due to my unemployment."

"My 4 children are yet to report to school, a week after the opening date. Moreover, my first born daughter failed to join secondary school in January this year, due to lack of finances to pay their fee. $70 would change this hardship but I am jobless. The $20 I earn from charcoal burning in a month can barely sustain my family of 7 with food, let alone other basic necessities and education."

"I want to express my gratitude to Give Directly for the financial support that helped me buy a motorbike. Now, I'm self-employed and feeling grateful. The daily income from my work brings me peace of mind because I can provide for my family. I took a loan for the motorbike and now pay it back in small installments every month from my Give Directly transfers. Before Give directly ,life used to be tough when I had no steady income and had to rely on unreliable casual jobs. I still owe $80 on the loan, so in the upcoming year and beyond, my main focus will be on paying it off."

"From as far back as I can recall, my ultimate dream has been to build a home. The sight of my modest house, close to collapse, served as a powerful drive for action. Fueled by determination, I embarked on a journey of saving every penny from my transfers, methodically acquiring building materials bit by bit. It's been a journey defined by unwavering commitment and relentless perseverance, and the joy of witnessing tangible progress towards realizing my lifelong aspiration knows no bounds. As the final touches are placed on my new home, I'm filled with a profound sense of accomplishment and gratitude. It's a testament to the power of persistence and the belief that dreams, no matter how difficult, are within reach with dedication and hard work. With the foundation of my home firmly laid, I'm already looking ahead to the next chapter. Livestock farming beckons, and I envision investing in goats with the hope of their multiplication The plan to eventually trade goats for bulls, essential for farming activities, represents a strategic move towards financial stability and self-sufficiency. This isn't just about raising animals; it's about securing a sustainable source of income for my family."

"As a businesswoman, the profits generated from my business endeavors are dedicated solely to meeting our family's daily needs. This division of resources allows for a structured approach: business earnings for immediate requirements and transfers for long-term investments. This strategy aims to establish a solid foundation for our family's prosperity, with education expenses for our children also factored into the equation. Utilizing my initial savings from the merry-go-round, I made a significant investment by purchasing a cow. This is just the beginning; my intention is to continue saving and gradually acquire more cows. I hold a positive outlook, believing that these cows will not only multiply but also become a sustainable source of income for my family. Whether through selling them or utilizing bulls for land ploughing services, I envision a future where our livelihood is bolstered by the success of our livestock ventures, ensuring financial stability. There's a sense of determination and hope driving these decisions, rooted in the desire to secure a better future for our family"

"Embarking on livestock farming, particularly raising goats, has been a lifelong aspiration of mine. Currently, I've taken the first steps by acquiring some goats and initiating a poultry venture with the chickens I purchased, in hopes that the chickens will multiply and I can trade them for goats. In my eyes, goats represent more than just livestock; they're akin to a form of financial security. Like a savings account, they offer a safety net for unforeseen expenses. Knowing that I can rely on them in times of need brings a sense of reassurance for my family's future.The upcoming transfers will be strategically allocated towards acquiring additional goats, further solidifying our position in livestock farming. This investment isn't just about accumulating assets; it's about safeguarding our family's well-being and ensuring a smooth journey for my grandchildren through their education."

"My main goal is to use my future payments to invest in livestock, specifically goats. I'm also skilled at designing clothes and earn money by sewing but i want to major in livestock farming because it has good returns. I want to start raising goats to make extra income to help my mother, who sells livestock but sometimes struggles because her income isn't steady. With more money, I can also support my five siblings with their school fees, especially since we lost our dad. I love seeing them do well in life. I'm already part of a savings group where I put in $12, and it will be my turn to get money in December. I'll use that money to buy more goats and partly pay for my siblings' fees. Life is tough, so I need to work really har"

"My husband and I dream of building a large, sturdy house for our family of eight because our current home, made from small metal sheets, is too cramped. We are committed to saving money and pooling our resources to achieve this goal. We plan to build a beautiful stone house with spacious rooms that will comfortably accommodate our whole family. Filled with optimism and dedication, we are eager to start this project in the coming year and work towards making our dream a reality."

"I've spent a lot of time planning my goals for this year, with the primary one being to build a new house for my family. We currently live in a one-room mud-walled house that has been my home since I was young. Over the years, rain has washed away parts of it, and the wind has blown sections away. It's simply not a suitable living environment anymore. I want to provide my family with a safer, more durable home, which is why I plan to construct a stone-walled house. Additionally, the current space is too cramped for our family of six, including four growing children. Although I understand that building a new home will take time, I am committed to this project for the sake of my family's well-being."