"I was at work around 1 PM when I heard my phone buzz with a message. I quickly checked it to find it was the unconditional cash transfer from GiveDirectly. I was very happy but I decided to keep it to myself. Eager to share the good news, I finished up my work faster than usual and rushed home to tell my mother. Ever since losing my wife, I've been living with my two children, and their well-being has always been my priority. As I shared the news, my thoughts immediately turned to buying beds for my family; it was a small but meaningful step toward creating a more comfortable sleeping area for us."

"In a few months, I look forward to completing the construction of my house. It's been a long and challenging journey, but soon I will finally have a place to call my own. This new home will restore a sense of dignity and independence that I’ve been missing. Another important goal is to invest in better bedding, as I’ve been struggling with the discomfort of my old rope bed. Upgrading to a modern bed with a comfortable mattress will make a significant difference. I plan to use the upcoming transfers to achieve both of these goals. I am eager to experience the relief and satisfaction of fulfilling these needs, which I have been longing for over the years."

"Currently, without a steady income, I have one crucial goal in mind: to complete the construction of my rental house. This project faced delays due to a lack of funds, but the monthly transfers have given me hope that this dream will soon be realized. Once the house is finished, it will significantly ease the burden of providing for my family, as I will be receiving monthly rent from tenants. I am confident that this will alleviate much of the stress I’ve been experiencing and allow me to focus less on meeting basic needs. I am hopeful that by the end of this year, the project will be completed, bringing a positive change to our lives and freeing us from the hardships we’ve endured."

"My current goal is to invest in livestock, particularly goats, to breed and sell them for income generation. As a widow without a permanent source of income, I see owning goats as a wise investment. I currently have six goats, but I am focused on acquiring more. I plan to breed them and let the herd multiply, so I can sell the offspring when I need financial support. I intend to use the upcoming transfers to continue purchasing goats, gradually expanding my herd. Once I have a substantial number of goats, I will have peace of mind, knowing that I can support my family more easily."

"My goal is to start my own business of selling groceries to my villagers. I believe that with hard work, this venture will generate income that will help me pay my children's school fees. Previously, I sold chips but incurred significant losses, so I decided to discontinue that business. I plan to use savings from my transfers to start this new business, with an initial capital of $30. I am confident that by September, I will have launched the grocery business and improved the lives of my family and children."

"I aim to invest in goats as part of my strategy to diversify beyond poultry farming. Currently, I have around fifty broiler chickens, which I plan to expand and sell when needed. My goal is to acquire approximately ten goats, which I believe will multiply and provide an opportunity to eventually exchange them for cows. Additionally, I want to build a three-room house to replace my current mud house and improve the living conditions for my three children. I am also engaged in selling milk and will work diligently to achieve these goals and provide a better life for my family."

"I am a father of five children, and I prioritize their education as a crucial part of their future. I use most of my transfer payments to support their schooling and also burn and sell charcoal to supplement my income. Although I face many challenges and lack formal education myself, I am committed to ensuring my children can continue their education without interruption. My goal is to provide them with the best educational opportunities possible, with the hope that it will improve their lives and ultimately benefit our family in future when they get good jobs."

"At the top of my list right now is the crucial goal of renovating my house. The current state of the house has me deeply worried, as it’s not a permanent structure. The walls have weakened over time, and there are holes everywhere, making me fear that they could collapse and endanger my children. Completing this renovation will bring me immense relief and happiness, as it will alleviate the constant anxiety I feel about the safety of my family. With the transfers I am receiving, I am confident that I will be able to make significant progress on this project soon, transforming the house into a secure and stable home where I won’t have to worry anymore."

"My goal for this year is to renovate my house, which has been plagued by leaks during heavy rains and is in overall poor condition. To begin the renovations, I plan to buy iron roofing sheets and cement. I will use a combination of my savings and the transfers I receive to fund this project. Achieving this will provide me with much-needed peace of mind, as I am weary of being drenched by winter storms. This renovation will not only improve our living conditions but also ensure that my family and I no longer have to rely on seeking shelter from relatives. I believe this goal will significantly enhance our quality of life and bring us closer to a more stable and comfortable home environment."

"In the coming year and beyond, my goal is to invest in purchasing more livestock. I currently have two goats, bought with the money from the transfers. My aim is to expand this number and grow the herd. As the livestock multiply, I will have the opportunity to sell some if the need arises. Investing in livestock will help me become financially independent, reducing my reliance on my son for financial support. This will ease the burden on him and enable him to focus on his own needs. I am very grateful for the financial support I have received so far; it has made my life easier and provided me with a path toward greater self-sufficiency."