"In the coming year and beyond, my greatest hope is to focus entirely on educating my three children. I believe that education is the key to unlocking a brighter future for them, so I am determined to provide them with the best opportunities I can. Starting now, I plan to set aside a portion of every transfer I receive to cover their school fees, buy their books, and ensure they have everything they need to succeed. As each month passes, I will work tirelessly to keep them in school, guiding them to reach their full potential. My ultimate goal is to see them graduate, stand on their own, and lead independent, successful lives. By dedicating myself to their education, I know I am paving the way for a better future not just for them, but for our entire family."

"In the upcoming year, my main goal is to renovate the roof of my house. Currently, the roof is leaking badly, making it difficult for me to sleep peacefully, especially during the rainy season. I dream of having a strong, secure roof over my head so I can rest easy, knowing I am safe and dry. To achieve this, I need 20 pieces of iron sheets, and each piece costs $12. I plan to buy at least two iron sheets every month, slowly but steadily gathering all the materials I need. By the end of next year, I aim to have a new roof that will protect me and give me peace of mind."

"My main goal for the upcoming year is to expand my livestock, particularly goats and sheep. These animals are a great fit for me because they are affordable, easy to care for, and can withstand harsh climatic conditions, which is important given the unpredictable weather in my area. Currently, I have five goats, and they have proven to be a valuable investment for my family. I plan to gradually grow my herd by acquiring more goats and sheep. I will allocate a portion of each monthly transfer I receive to gradually purchase these animals. In the years to come, I aim to have a sizable herd that can provide us with meat and generate income from selling some of them. Looking ahead, I envision a prosperous livestock business that will ensure a secure future for my family, enabling us to weather tough times and eventually explore other investment opportunities."

"My goal for the upcoming year is to buy more goats to secure my family's future. Currently, I have seven goats, and they have become a vital part of our livelihood. However, I realize that I need more goats to ensure that we have something to rely on even after the GiveDirectly program ends. By steadily increasing my herd, I can build a sustainable source of income and food for my family. Each month, I will save a little from what I receive to buy more goats, one at a time. With every new goat, I am taking a step toward self-sufficiency, ensuring that when the program is no longer there, my family won't struggle. I hope that, over time, this small investment will grow into a stable foundation for us, providing us with peace of mind and a better life long after the support has ended."

"When we received the unconditional cash transfer, my husband and I sat down to carefully plan how we would spend it. We prioritized household necessities, and the first thing we did was allocate $58 to buy a 3-seater sofa set. As a young family just starting out, we had been dreaming of replacing our plastic chairs with something more comfortable and welcoming. This sofa set was a significant upgrade for our living space. I then used $60 to purchase a bed and a mattress. This was particularly important for us because we often have siblings visit during the holidays. Having a proper bed for them ensures that they have a comfortable place to rest. After that, I spent $20 on a phone for my husband. This investment has been great in helping us stay connected, especially when he’s away for work. It has made communication between us much easier and more reliable. I used $10 to buy new utensils and $15 to purchase a table, which has made our daily meals more enjoyable. To ensure we had enough food, I spent $17 on half a bag of maize. I am glad that the money has greatly improved our quality of life and brought us a step closer to creating a comfortable and stable home environment."

"In the coming year and beyond, my primary focus is on building a spacious one-room house with a verandah. Our current house is quite small, and with two boys who are quickly approaching adulthood, it's becoming clear that they will soon need their own space and privacy, especially to have a room where they can relax and spend time with their friends. Right now, this isn't possible since we all share the same room. To make this dream a reality, I joined a merry-go-round savings group, where I diligently save $20 each month toward building this new house. I'm grateful that I’ve never missed a payment, thanks to the consistent support from GiveDirectly. I truly appreciate the financial assistance they’ve provided. Once the new house is built, my husband and I will move into it, leaving our current home for the boys. I'm optimistic that we will achieve this goal, especially with the strong support from my spouse."

"I am currently in college, and since this is my final year, I want to focus on my studies. I plan to use my transfers to gradually purchase the necessary items to ensure a seamless stay at school. I am confident that if I achieve good grades, I will likely secure a job. However, if that doesn’t happen, I also have the option to open my own carpentry workshop. Once I finish college, I aim to establish my own workshop, which will allow me to earn an income to support myself and my younger siblings who are still in school. Additionally, I am working towards building my own house and have already started buying iron sheets to achieve this goal. Each month, when I receive my transfer, I use part of it to buy iron sheets and the rest to support my stay in school. I am very grateful for the financial support from GiveDirectly."

"I had gone to my son's prayer day who is about to sit for his final high school exam. I heard my phone sound with a message. I quickly checked it and confirmed that I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I was overjoyed! Among the other parents from my village who were there, I asked if they had received theirs as well. Some confirmed they had, while others waited anxiously, but within a few minutes, they too received their transfers. We all rejoiced together and headed home with happy hearts. I knew this was the hope I had been waiting for, and I felt certain that things were going to turn around for me."

"My phone was out of charge at the time of transfers and word was already out in the village that GiveDirectly has sent out money. Curious, I collected my phone early the next day and to my excitement I was among the beneficiaries. I happily headed to the market where I fulfilled my plan of purchasing 2 goats."

"I had accompanied my neighbor to a prayer day for his son in high school. Just as we were about to leave the school, I heard a message notification on my phone. I quickly checked it, as I had been anxiously waiting for GiveDirectly's cash. My neighbors, who had traveled with me, had received their transfers, and I was thrilled to see that I had received mine as well. The excitement was evident in our smiles. I knew that with this support, I would be able to fulfill my intended plans."