"I recently joined a chama group to save a portion of my monthly $15 transfer because I'm aiming to invest in livestock farming. I've always dreamed of owning cattle, but they're quite costly to acquire. So, my plan is to start by purchasing goats and then, as they multiply, I'll sell their offspring to eventually buy a cow. I'm keen on investing in cows because they provide milk, which I can sell to support my family financially. Additionally, having children in school means there might be unexpected financial challenges like paying fees, but if necessary, I can sell some of the livestock to address those needs."

"In the coming year and beyond, my biggest hope is to add a room to my small one-room mud-wall house. Right now, the house is too small to accommodate me and my five grandchildren who live with me. Every night, we all squeeze into that one tiny space, and it feels so congested and uncomfortable. I dream of giving my grandchildren a bit more space to sleep and play, where they can grow up healthy and happy. Adding a room would mean so much to us, providing not just more space, but also a sense of dignity and a better living environment. With the help of GiveDirectly, I believe I can make this dream a reality and create a more comfortable and hopeful future for my family."

"My goal in the coming year and beyond is to use my subsequent transfers to purchase food. My two-acre farm has not been productive, so I need to buy food to ensure my survival. Additionally, I plan to purchase more livestock to build a substantial herd. In the future, selling some of the livestock will provide me with income to support my needs. I am very happy and deeply appreciate the financial support from Give Directly, which has significantly improved my life."

"I'm currently enrolled in an electrical wiring course, and I truly believe it's going to change my life for the better. Because of this, I'm determined to focus all my energy on my coursework to ensure I excel. Looking ahead to the coming year and beyond, my main goal is to concentrate fully on my studies. To make this possible, I am planning to spend my transfer to pay for my school fees. This way, I'll have a peaceful environment and ample time to dedicate myself to my studies without worrying about financial constraints. This is my singular goal for the upcoming year and beyond"

"Currently, I'm managing a charcoal business to support my six children, all of whom are in school. However, facing recent health challenges like chest pain, I've realized the need for a change. That's why I'm thinking of starting a vegetable business to ensure I can still provide for my children's needs. Using the money from my transfer, I plan to launch this new venture. Transitioning to the vegetable business, I aim to improve our financial stability and ensure my children's educational needs are met."

"I cannot help but feel consumed by the fear of poverty. Every day, my family of two struggles to make ends meet, relying on meager earnings from odd jobs, averaging just $2 a day. It is barely enough to put food on the table, and I often have to sacrifice my own needs for the sake of my two-year-old son. Since separating from my husband, I have not been able to afford my children's school fees, forcing them to drop out and work as casual laborers in Marigat town just to survive. The thought of their future being derailed fills me with immense worry and regret; I blame myself for the hardships they endure."

"I'm glad that my two grandchildren were able to return to school after I paid their fees with the first transfer. They had been at home for several weeks and were missing classes, which could have negatively impacted their academic progress. Their parents were unable to pay their fees on time, so I'm happy that I was able to help and that they now have enough time to prepare for the next semester's payment. In addition, I've always wanted to rent some productive land for farming. The land I'm currently using is no longer productive, and it hasn't been sufficient for my polygamous family. I'm pleased that I was able to lease two acres of land, hire a tractor, and purchase 100kg of fertilizer and other farm inputs. I'm happy that I started cultivating early and am expecting a good harvest soon. This harvest will not only help ensure food security in my household but will also allow me to earn some money by selling the surplus. Currently, I don't have any source of income to rely on, so I'm hoping to sell the maize after harvesting and generate some income."

"It's really unfortunate that the heavy rains have damaged my house. The walls are now too weak to hold the mud, so I think it's smart to start saving money to build a new, safer house. Me and my spouse have agreed that we each need to save whatever little money we can towards this goal. At first, I thought about starting a small grocery business, but now I've changed my mind because building a new house is more important. Later on, I'll focus on starting the business. I'm grateful to GiveDirectly for their support because it gives me hope that this dream is possible. Hence this is my goal in the coming year an beyond."

"In our small one-room house where my spouse, five kids, and I live, we're feeling cramped. So, I've started saving $14 from my monthly money to help build a bigger house for us all. We know our kids will need more space as they grow up, so we're making it a priority to plan for a bigger place. Me and my spouse are really committed to making this happen, and we're grateful for the help from Give Directly. With their support and our hard work, we're confident we can make our dream of a bigger house come true. We couldn't have done it without their help."

"Thanks to our collective group savings, I finally fulfilled my wish of purchasing a bed and mattress. Now, my sights are set on acquiring cows which will be used to cultivate my own land and offer plowing services to others, generating additional income for my self-sufficiency. Meanwhile, my fabric business has exceeded my expectations, becoming a source of immense pride and accomplishment. I'm determined to expand it since this enterprise holds immense significance for me, representing not just financial success but also the possibility of complete independence. As someone without children to care for, I am wholly reliant on myself, and the growth of my ventures is vital to securing my future."