"My current living conditions are dire, with my house in a dilapidated state and the walls on the verge of collapse. Despite making some repairs in the past, the structure still poses a safety risk to my family of four. In an effort to improve our living situation, I have taken steps towards constructing a new two-room house. I recently purchased six pieces of iron sheets, a significant step towards realizing my goal. However, I still need to acquire six more sheets along with other necessary building materials. To achieve this, I intend to continue saving money through the savings group, prioritizing the completion of our new home. I am incredibly grateful for the financial assistance provided by GiveDirectly, as it has been instrumental in enabling me to work towards securing a safer and more stable living environment for my family. With determination and the continued support of the transfers, I am confident that we will achieve our goal of a new home."

"I'm currently facing challenges providing enough food for my family due to the limited maize harvest from my farm. As a result, we're forced to purchase expensive food from the shop. With my next transfers, I intend to prioritize purchasing food to ensure that my family's nutritional needs are met. Additionally, I plan to allocate funds towards paying school fees for my three children, ensuring they can continue their education without interruption. Moreover, I aspire to improve our living conditions by constructing a spacious three-bedroom house to replace our current dilapidated dwelling, which is covered with polythene paper for roofing. This endeavor will provide my family with a safer and more comfortable living environment. I am deeply grateful for the financial support provided by the transfers thus far, as it has been instrumental in enabling me to care for my family's needs. This assistance has provided a lifeline during difficult times, and I am committed to utilizing it effectively to improve our quality of life and secure a brighter future for my loved ones."

"With the final transfer I received, I made a strategic decision to invest in livestock to secure a more sustainable future for my family. I bought a cow for $250, primarily to provide us with milk, which is essential for my young children as they are at a high risk of malnutrition. The cow will not only cater to our immediate needs but, as it breeds, I plan to sell them in the future to cover school fees for my children. Additionally, I invested in two more goats, costing $50 each, adding to the three I previously acquired. Goats thrive in our harsh climatic conditions and their quick multiplication will allow me to sell some for extra income, which I'll use to pay for school fees and meet other family needs. My focus remains steadfast on my children’s education and ensuring they can continue their studies without financial hindrance. I never had the opportunity to attend school due to security issues and financial constraints, which eventually led to my reliance on casual jobs and charcoal production alongside my wife-an unsustainable means for our family of six. To further alleviate our situation, I also purchased two bags of maize for $90 to help address our immediate food shortages. I am deeply thankful to GiveDirectly for their support, which has been instrumental in these investments and in planning a brighter future for my children."

"My husband works as a house contractor, and sometimes his work isn't steady. But with the recent cash transfer, I was able to do a lot for my family. First, I spent $80 to buy a mattress for my four kids. They used to sleep on the floor, which hurt their backs. They were so happy to finally have a real bed. Then, I used $100 to get a door for our house because It's important for our safety. I also used$100 of the money to pay for my kids' school fees. I don't want them missing out on their education. With a bit left over, I bought food so we wouldn't go hungry. But the best part? I used some of the money to start my own bakery. I've always loved baking, and now I can sell my goods in a shop and even go door-to-door. It's not easy, but on a good day, I can make $12. My bakery helps support my family, especially when my husband's job isn't reliable. I'm grateful for the chance to provide for my loved ones."

"This year, my main objective is to expand my house, as it is currently too small to accommodate all of us comfortably. To begin the construction process, my plan is to first purchase iron roofing sheets and cement. I intend to utilize both my transfers and savings to finance this endeavor. By expanding our house, I aim to provide my children with ample space to live in, ensuring their comfort and well-being. Being able to do this for my family will fill me with a deep sense of accomplishment, and I cant wait to see what the future holds."

"My top priority is to secure quality education for my children. Before the coming of this project, they often faced numerous interruptions in their schooling due to my inability to pay school fees. However, with the transfers, these interruptions have significantly decreased, and my children can now attend school regularly. I am genuinely pleased with these positive changes, and I am committed to allocating both my forthcoming transfers and savings to ensure that my children continue their education smoothly. I firmly believe that education will equip them with the essential skills needed to secure a better future. I will always be grateful to GiveDirectly for the support they have provided to me and my community."

"My aim is to ensure that my son enrolls in secondary school. I firmly believe that education is crucial for securing a better future, and I am eager to equip him with the skills necessary to achieve his goals. To fulfill this objective, I have decided to invest in poultry farming. By raising chickens and selling them for profit once they multiply, I will be able to generate enough income to cover his educational expenses. For me, educating my son means providing him with the opportunity to secure a good job in the future and become self-sufficient. This thought fills me with a lot of pride."

"My primary goal is to provide quality education for my son, who will be starting secondary school next year. I plan to achieve this objective by combining the earnings from my firewood business with the monthly transfers I receive. Despite the challenges I face, I maintain a sense of optimism and hope. With the financial assistance provided by GiveDirectly, I am confident that I will be able to fulfill this goal."

"My objective is to purchase a cow, which I view as a valuable investment. I plan to accomplish this by utilizing the profits from my vegetable business. Owning a cow will not only allow me to cultivate my land but also provide additional income, especially if it reproduces and I sell the offspring. Moreover, the supplementary income will enable me to meet the educational expenses of my children. I am deeply grateful to this organization for enhancing my living standards through their financial support."

"My aim is to construct a house with brick walls to replace our current structure, which is built with mud walls. The present walls are vulnerable to damage during heavy rainfall and are displaying signs of weakening. Additionally, I intend to invest in a dairy cow, considering it a valuable asset that can generate additional income, particularly when they reproduce and can be sold. To achieve these goals, I will utilize a portion of the cash transfers along with my savings. Accomplishing these objectives will not only provide us with a better living space but also offer an additional source of income, bringing me a deep sense of fulfillment."