"Imagine depending on subsistence farming as the only source of livelihood! This has disadvantaged my household because anything that requires cash has been affected negatively. The most affected ones are my children who have missed decent education due to the burden of school fees. This has robbed away my joy as a mother and my hope now is on the young children who are still in lower classes. The feeling of not achieving my life goal of educating my children is what has made my life so miserable. I have, therefore, thought of financial constraints as what has made my life harder."

"Living in a polygamous family has contributed to the poor livelihood I am currently facing. This is because my husband's health status has pushed him to remain idle at home since he has hypertension. This is to mean we depend on subsistence farming as the main source of food. The most affected ones in the household are my children who have lacked decent education due to financial constraints. At the moment, I have no record of any child who has attended high school level. The young son who completed his primary level is also yet to join secondary school, something that gives me sleepless nights. Hence, the lack of a reliable source of income becomes my biggest challenge."

"I recently got $450 from GiveDirectly, and I made thoughtful choices with the money. I used $400 to pay for the school fees of my two kids who just started Form One. With a total of five kids, ensuring their education is vital, and I'm pleased to share that I have no fee balances now. I also allocated $3 to buy food for my family, ensuring there's enough to eat. These investments in education and family well-being have made a positive impact, bringing stability and relief to our daily lives."

"I have nothing but positive things to say about GiveDirectly's programs. They have truly made a difference in my life, and I feel much better than before. What stands out is their excellent follow-up system, which has been instrumental in addressing a significant issue in our village. Before GiveDirectly, there was a high level of alcohol brewing in our community, posing a threat, especially for those of us who don't consume alcohol. However, thanks to GiveDirectly's thorough follow-ups, this issue has been contained. Their proactive approach has not only improved individual lives but has also positively impacted the overall well-being of our village. I am grateful for the positive changes they have brought about."

"I manage a shop that sells various products, including groceries. However, the current structure is built with mud, which is temporary and raises concerns about possible break-ins by robbers. To improve its security and durability, I plan to renovate the shop using bricks. To achieve this goal, I intend to obtain sufficient building materials, such as cement, sand, and bricks. This initiative is driven by the need to reinforce the structure, ensure the safety of my inventory, and provide a more secure environment for the business. To finance this renovation project, I have set a monthly savings target, aiming to gradually accumulate the necessary funds until the goal is achieved."

"I have two children who are currently attending school. One is in high school and the other one has recently enrolled in junior high school. Since I rely on subsistence farming and livestock care, which do not provide a steady income, the transfers that I receive represent my only source of income. As a parent, my main goal is to ensure that my children receive uninterrupted education that enables them to achieve their dreams. Therefore, my specific aim is to use the transfers to pay their school fees on time and cover all their educational expenses. This way, I can prevent any risk of them being sent home or facing any discontinuation of their studies."

"In the next few years, my main goal is to buy a motorcycle. I have a specific reason for this - it's going to be a game-changer for my business plans. I aspire to become a goat broker, and having a motorbike will be super helpful. With it, I can easily transport goats from the villages to the town for selling. This way, I can kickstart my business and make it more efficient. The motorcycle is like my key to unlocking opportunities in the goat-selling business, making things smoother and more profitable."

"The positive outcomes I've experienced on my farm, particularly in cultivating watermelons, potatoes, and maize, serve as a motivating force to further invest in this agricultural venture. Presently engaged in harvesting watermelon, the anticipation of a bumper yield instills confidence in the prospect of earning a substantial income upon the completion of sales. I express profound happiness and gratitude for the financial support provided through the transfers, which has facilitated my involvement in a fulfilling economic activity that generates income and aligns with my passion."

"I have been saving a portion of my transfers every month in our local merry-go-round with the sole purpose of renovating my house. Unfortunately, one of the walls of my house collapsed during the recent rains, leaving the interior exposed. To prevent a complete collapse, I had to urgently reinforce and support it with sturdy poles and cover it temporarily with canvas fabric. Living in this compromised house has left me feeling unsettled, as I fear its collapse during heavy downpours. Saving $20 every month for this purpose has been my dedicated effort, and my primary goal is to use these savings to purchase cement, sand, and bricks, enabling me to undertake a comprehensive renovation and create a more permanent and stable living space. By achieving this goal, I aspire to not only secure a safer shelter but also to regain a sense of dignity in my living conditions."

"I don't have any new goals besides providing education for my two children, one in high school and the other in junior high school. My main source of income, which involves burning and selling charcoal, has not been effective in addressing my financial challenges. My husband does menial construction jobs, but they are not easy to come by, making it difficult to provide for our family since he is the breadwinner. This means that even paying for our children's school fees is a challenge. Therefore, in the coming year and beyond, my priority is to ensure that my children stay comfortably in school and avoid being kicked out due to non-payment of fees. I want to ensure that I pay their fees on time, so they can continue attending classes and achieve their education goals despite the financial challenges we face."