"Receiving support from GiveDirectly has given me hope and a chance to dream bigger for my family's future. This year, I hope to buy some goats to rear. These goats will be a valuable investment, providing us with offspring for sale, and the opportunity to grow our income. Right now, I only have chickens and ducks, but I believe that diversifying our livestock will create a more stable source of income. To make this dream a reality, I plan to save at least $5 every month. With patience and dedication, I know I can achieve my goal of goat keeping, ensuring a brighter future for my family, and giving my children better opportunities."

"Receiving support from GiveDirectly has brought new hope to my life and the lives of my family. Over the past year, we have faced many challenges, especially with our home, since it is on the verge of collapsing. Every night, I worry about our safety. My dream for the coming year is to concentrate on constructing a new house to provide a safer place for my family to live. I've been working hard, making interlocking blocks in preparation for this project. With the funds from GiveDirectly, I hope to start construction in the coming months. This new house will be a strong foundation for our future, giving us security and stability. My ultimate goal is to complete the house and create a home where my children can grow safely and happily."

"I burn charcoal and sell it to support my family, while my spouse relies on casual jobs to help us as well. I am very grateful that these transfers have significantly relieved us financially, allowing us to pay fees and provide for our children without much strain. In the coming year and beyond, I have three priorities to work on. First, I want to build my dream two-room house. Since my house collapsed, I have been living in a small structure, but I aspire to have a decent home. Second, I want to ensure that my children’s school fees are covered and that I can provide them with food. To achieve these goals, my spouse and I will work together to save what we earn from our daily hustles, along with the monthly income we receive from GiveDirectly."

"My goal in the coming year and beyond is to build my dream house.This is because I do not have one, but my dream has always been to live in an iron-roofed house. To reach this goal, I've been saving a part of my monthly income to gradually buy the building materials. So far, I've managed to buy a few iron sheets and some building poles and hope to start construction soon. My sole focus is achieving this goal, as an iron-roofed house will protect me from the rains, which have been a nightmare in my current house. I plan to save more to buy the remaining building poles, timber, and nails, and also cover the labor costs."

"I've been living in a grass-thatched house for years, but my dream has always been to live in an iron-roofed house. To reach this goal, I've been saving a part of my monthly income to gradually buy the building materials. So far, I've managed to get 22 iron sheets and some building poles and hope to start construction soon. My sole focus is achieving this goal, as an iron-roofed house will protect me from the rains, which have been a nightmare in my current house. I plan to save more to buy the remaining building poles, timber, and nails, and also cover the labor costs."

"In the upcoming year and beyond, my plan is to purchase a sewing machine valued at $170. With my coursework completed, I am now able to open my own shop. This venture will serve as a source of income to support my family. Additionally, I intend to rent a shop near my location and stock a few additional items alongside my tailoring business. I am happy to report that I have saved up $100 towards the purchase of the machine, leaving only a small percentage remaining. I am truly grateful to Give Directly for their generous financial support, as it has given me renewed optimism in achieving my dream goal."

"Persevering in this house has been quite a challenge, especially during the rainy season. I built this house a long time ago, and since the roof is made of grass, it leaks a lot, making it feel like I’m sleeping outside even though I’m inside. My main focus for the upcoming year and beyond is to build my dream house. I’m happy to have acquired 16 iron sheets and am working hard to get the remaining materials to start the construction work."

"I am living an unbearable life, skipping a meal is not new to me. I am a casual labourer and I earn about $3 a day which is not enough to meet my daily end. My struggle does not end there, getting casual jobs is also another problem. I sometimes opt for charcoal burning to earn a living. An unstable source of family income has reduced my dignity as a man. I sometimes borrow food and other basic needs to survive which is heartbreaking. Truth be told, I am not happy with my life. I am hoping that one day I will get out of this unbearable life."

"My son Bidson Bartingat is pursuing a diploma course at Tambach teachers college. We are required to pay $230 each term to facilitate his studies. Apart from this, I am also working tooth and nail to pay school fees for my two sons and a daughter in secondary school. We rely on charcoal burning and subsistence farming to earn a living, this is not a stable source of income and has made our life difficult. Putting food on the table is another setback for me and my husband. We sometimes skip meals or borrow food from my neighbors. I feel unhappy as a parent and that I have failed to be a responsible parent."

"I have started preparing to cultivate my land as the rains are about to set in. I have two acres, and since we didn't harvest anything last season, I want to start early this time. If all goes well and we have a good harvest, it will greatly benefit our family and relieve my husband from the strain of burning and selling charcoal to support us. I really appreciate Give Directly for the financial support, which has been a great help to our family. Additionally, it has significantly contributed to our well-being, especially in enabling my children to continue attending school."