"In the coming year, I aim to invest more in goat farming because I believe goats are a reliable and practical investment for my family’s future. Currently, I have five goats, but I plan to grow my herd by saving $10 monthly from my transfers. This steady savings plan will allow me to purchase more goats and gradually build a sustainable source of income. Goats are valuable because they are easy to maintain and can be sold quickly during emergencies to provide financial support for my family. In the coming year, I hope to double the size of my herd, ensuring that I have a safety net for any unexpected needs. Expanding my goat farming further will create a stable source of income that will secure my family’s well-being and give us peace of mind for years to come."

"My top priority is to ensure that my children receive a quality education. Prior to the start of this project, they often faced disruptions in their schooling because I couldn't afford the school fees. Thankfully, with the financial support, these disruptions have significantly decreased, enabling my children to attend school consistently. I am genuinely pleased with these changes and am committed to utilizing my future transfers and savings to further support their education. I firmly believe that education will equip them with the skills they need for a brighter future. I will always be grateful to GiveDirectly for the assistance they have provided to me and my community. I have seven children, and sometimes my spouse and I make charcoal to sell. I do not want my children to endure the struggles I faced because my parents couldn't send me to school. I understand that education is the key to changing their lives, which is why I am striving for my children's education, so they can one day reap the benefits of performing well in school."

"In the upcoming year and beyond, I intend to continue investing in a livestock rearing project, with a particular emphasis on goats, as they are well-suited to our local climate and can thrive in our environment, unlike cows, which need more grassy areas. This year, I plan to use part of the transfers I receive from GiveDirectly to buy goats each month. I believe these goats will breed and increase in both numbers and value, allowing me to sell them in the future to support my family, including my younger siblings and children who are still attending school. My goal is to create a stable and sustainable source of income, especially after this program comes to an end. I remain optimistic about realizing my goals despite the drought challenges we are currently facing in our area. Up to now, I have successfully purchased three goats, two of which have already given birth. I am excited to invest in livestock because I need to help cover my children's education expenses."

"I was just coming from my farm, weeding my crops, when a message came in confirming it was $200 from GiveDirectly. I was so happy. As soon as I got home, my neighbor asked if I had received the money, to which I excitedly replied, "YES!" My first thought was to focus on my crops, especially since the weeds were starting to take over. Now, I could hire some help to get the weeding done in time."

"I was at home relaxing with my wife and children when I got a message on my phone. Upon checking, I realized it was my first transfer from GiveDirectly! I immediately called out to my wife, "Mama Festus, come!" who was in the kitchen, and showed her the message. I could see the joy light up her face as she smiled. My first thought was how we could finally construct a proper latrine for our family. That had been a big concern, and now it felt like a huge burden was lifted."

"The first thing I did after receiving my second transfer was to clear my son’s university fee arrears of $280. I had no money to pay this before, as I rely on crop farming to cover school fees, but this year I lost my entire maize crop on 2 acres to floods. Clearing his fees was important to ensure he could continue his studies without missing exams. I also paid $65 for his accommodation so that the landlord would not bother him, allowing him to focus on his studies. Additionally, I have another son in college, and since his rent was due, I paid $40 to cover that. My youngest son, who is in primary boarding school, needed another pair of uniforms, as one was not enough. I spent $12 to get him the required second pair. Furthermore, food being a major challenge after losing our crops to floods, I gave my wife $20 to buy food, which lasted for a while. Lastly, as a livestock keeper, I used $28 to buy medicine for my goats and sheep, ensuring they remain healthy."

"Livestock keeping, especially goat farming, thrives well in this area because goats multiply so quickly; they can give birth at least twice a year. This makes it a great investment for my family. With my first transfer, I was able to buy two goats, and with the second transfer, I added four more. My plan is to continue expanding my herd by using part of my third transfer to buy more goats and manage them properly. I am looking forward to having at least 30 goats by next year, as this will not only help with food security but also provide a steady source of income in the future."

"When I received my second transfer, my son, who had just finished high school, had been sleeping at our neighbor's house for many years because we only have one room, and I sleep with my four daughters. It was time to give him his own space, so I started by buying iron sheets for $143, planning to purchase more materials with my next transfer to begin constructing a house for him. Additionally, we only had three plastic chairs, which were not enough for our family, so I bought a three-seater sofa for $57 to make our home more comfortable. As a crop farmer, I also needed to prepare my three acres of land for planting maize and vegetables, as the next planting season is approaching, which cost me $100. Lastly, my children had been wearing old clothes and shoes for a long time, so I spent $150 to buy decent outfits for all nine of them, including myself. We are truly grateful to GiveDirectly for making this possible."

"I recently started an eatery in our village center, and over the past year, I have seen great potential in it. My plan is to expand the business by offering a wider variety of food and also incorporating a vegetable business to diversify my income streams. I believe this will attract more customers and increase my overall profits. To achieve this, I am currently saving the profits from my business by participating in a merry-go-round savings group. The money I accumulate will play a significant role in helping me expand the business and realize my future goals."

"I was outside feeding my child, and my phone was inside the house on silent. I had planned to call my husband to ask about dinner, but when I went to get my phone, I saw a message confirming that I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I was so happy and excited that I completely forgot to call him at that moment! Later, I shared the news with him, and we were both overjoyed. My first thought was to buy goats, as we had agreed, and it finally felt possible."