"I purchased a sewing machine valued at $190 to start my tailoring venture. Four years ago, I trained in tailoring college but I was yet to obtain the equipment due to financial constraints. Previously, I had a second-hand machine that eventually broke down, leaving me without the means to continue my business. Despite earning daily profit of $1 from selling donuts, saving enough to buy a new machine seemed impossible. With the sewing machine in hand I started doing small tasks like repairing clothes. Weekly, I can earn at least $5 from this endeavor, supplementing the income from my donut sales, which improves my ability to provide for my two children. Moreover, the state of my house had been dire, with its mud walls collapsing. It had gotten to a point when the space would dampen during rainy weather, making it unbearable for my two children. Therefore, I allocated funds to purchase building poles for wall repairs, covering labor and water charges, totaling $150. Additionally, I allocated $70 to buy two mattresses—one for my grandmother and another for myself. Previously, we endured uncomfortable nights, with her sleeping on a mat and me on an old mattress. The remaining funds were used to purchase more utensils for the household and buy more food for my children. We were almost running out of the maize produce we had harvested, and so the transfers came in perfect time. I could never be more grateful!"

"My main focus for the upcoming year and beyond is to secure a home of my own. Currently, I don't have one, so I rely on staying at my friend's place. It can be tough, especially during the rainy season or when I want to socialize with friends comfortably. To make my dream of owning a house a reality, I'm determined to save money through a merry-go-round. I believe that saving for a year will allow me to gather the necessary building materials. Therefore, I'm committed to working hard to achieve my dream home."

"With my monthly transfer, my main goal is to help my sisters with school. Seeing how hard they work in their studies makes me hopeful about their future success and our family getting out of being poor. At the same time, I want to start a goat business to make more money. When the goats get bigger and I sell them, I think I'll make some good money. I'm grateful for the first bit of money that got me started on this plan, and I feel lucky for it. Right now, I have seven goats, but I want to get more to make even more money"

"In the upcoming year and beyond, my primary goal is to fully pay off the solar panel, a significant milestone that ensures consistent lighting and phone charging capabilities in my home, all made possible by the financial support from the transfers. Additionally, I plan to prioritize purchasing food for my family, especially considering the uncertainty surrounding our farming prospects due to the lack of rains. As we await favorable weather conditions to cultivate maize and secure our food source, I'll allocate funds towards food purchases to ensure my family's well-being. I am profoundly thankful for the financial assistance provided by the transfers, which has significantly improved our quality of life and lifted us out of poverty."

"My primary focus in the coming year and beyond is to save up enough funds from the transfers to acquire essential building materials like sand, building stones, and cement. Our makeshift house has been struggling during this rainy season, with serious leaks posing a significant challenge for us. By investing in these materials, I aim to address the structural issues and ensure a more comfortable living environment for my family. I am deeply grateful for the support from the transfers, as it has enabled me to tend to my personal needs without having to rely excessively on relatives. This new found independence is empowering and allows me to take proactive steps towards improving our living conditions."

"For years, I have held onto the dream of owning a home. After my previous house collapsed in the rain, I have been relying on my son's shelter. Now, that chapter is ending as I have finished constructing my new two-room house with iron sheets. The only thing left is to install the door, which I plan to do in the upcoming months, marking the final step before I can move in. The financial transfers have played a crucial role in making this dream a reality, and I could not be happier with how they have transformed my life for the better."

"As an elderly woman, my health has been a primary concern, but thanks to the financial support from Give Directly, I have been able to access necessary medical care, leading to significant improvements in recent months. This support has been invaluable in ensuring that I can address health issues promptly whenever they arise. Looking ahead, I intend to invest further in livestock, providing a source of income and stability even after the financial assistance ends in the next three years. I am grateful for the support from the transfers, which has had a positive impact on both my health and financial security."

"My priority for the upcoming year is to address the dire condition of my house. The aging iron sheets covering the roof are in poor shape, allowing rainwater to seep. To remedy this, I plan to allocate a significant portion of my transfers towards purchasing new iron sheets to replace the entire roof. This renovation is essential to prevent further deterioration of the house and ensure the safety and comfort of my family. I am grateful for the financial support provided by the transfers, which enables me to address this pressing need and better care for my family."

"After enduring a prolonged period of waiting for rain, we finally received some precipitation, which brings relief to our farming activities. With this blessing of rain, my goal for the subsequent transfers is to use them to plow my 1-acre land. This will enable me to cultivate crops and ensure an abundant harvest, reducing our reliance on purchasing food from shops and contributing to greater food security for my family. I am immensely grateful for the financial support I have received, as it has played a crucial role in improving the quality of my life and providing opportunities for self-sufficiency."

"Subsistence farming which has been our only source of food, has proved unreliable for the past 5 years. With 3 consecutive failed seasons due to progressive drought, my family of 6 has had to face the wrath of food insecurity. Last year's enhanced short rains sparked some hope, only for flash floods to wash away my farm. I am now back to default and I have to engage in charcoal burning to feed the family. The cumbersome nature of this job does not align with my strength, hence I am less productive. On average I make $11 in a month which cannot sustain us and skipping meals is a common occurrence."