"In the coming years, my primary goal is to enhance the conditions of my land and ensure successful farming. I plan to achieve this by prioritizing the fencing of my land this year. The reason behind this decision is to prevent disruptions from neighboring animals, which have been a challenge in the past. By securing my land with a fence, I aim to create a safe and protected environment for my farming activities. This initiative not only safeguards my crops but also provides security for my home and family. Having a fenced land means fewer worries about potential damage to my crops by animals and, in turn, ensures a more stable source of income and food for my family. The accomplishment of this goal would bring a sense of security and satisfaction to both my farming endeavors and the well-being of my family."

"Our financial situation, my husband's and mine, is currently challenging, and we have two children attending school. While my husband operates a tuk-tuk for taxi services in town, I sustain our income by vending foodstuffs. To enhance our financial stability and ensure a secure future for our children, I've ventured into livestock keeping, focusing on goats and chickens. Presently, I own two goats and 18 chickens, with the intention of expanding this livestock venture. These animals serve as valuable assets that can be readily sold to meet the financial demands of our children's education. By growing our livestock, I aim to create a reliable source of funds, enabling us to cover educational expenses when the time comes for our children to advance in their studies."

"I spent most of it on buying land"

"Having successfully dealt with immediate financial concerns through GiveDirectly assistance and anticipating a productive harvest post-pesticide treatment on my crops, my income from the security guard job now adequately supports my family. With aspirations to kickstart a confectionery business, leveraging the skills acquired from attending a confectionery school, I've set aside some savings. My plan involves further accumulating savings and securing a loan to acquire an oven. Looking ahead, my goal transcends merely establishing a profitable venture; I intend to offer training opportunities, providing individuals with a means to earn a livelihood. Seeing this dream on the verge of realization fills me with immense happiness and vitality and I pray that God pulls me through."

"It was a regular day at home with my husband and children when a moment of impact changed our lives. We have six kids, with three of them currently attending school. The feeling of joy and gratitude overwhelmed us, all thanks to GiveDirectly. It was a generous transfer of $200 from GiveDirectly that arrived at our doorstep, providing us with a newfound sense of hope and opportunity. It involved careful consideration of how to allocate the funds to make a lasting impact on our lives. The first thought that crossed my mind was the immediate need for food. With $42, I decided to buy maize, addressing our pressing hunger. The importance of a good night's sleep led me to allocate $40 for a bed and a mattress, priced at $12, ensuring that there would be enough space for my children to rest comfortably. This simple yet significant change in our sleeping arrangements brought a sense of relief and comfort. With $80, I made a strategic decision to invest in cultivating maize. This not only addressed our food security issues at home but also created the opportunity to sell surplus produce. The surplus income would be a valuable resource in supporting the education of my children. The reason behind these decisions was rooted in the desire to not only meet immediate needs but to also create sustainable solutions for the future. The moment of receiving the transfer was not just a transaction; it was a catalyst for positive change."

"I am immensely thankful for the support from GiveDirectly. With their assistance, I purchased three goats for $170, a token of remembrance and a long-term investment for my family. Additionally, I spent $15 on deworming the goats to ensure their health and productivity. Food security being a priority, I allocated $95 for buying maize. Crucial as my previous attempt at farming maize, alongside beans, yielded poor results. My family's sustenance largely relies on small-scale farming, which is challenging given our dependence on a seasonal river for irrigation. My husband and I also undertake casual jobs to support our family of seven. I am an Early Childhood Development teacher by profession, and my husband, a plant operator, facing employment challenges. The timing of the GiveDirectly transfer was perfect, coinciding with the Christmas holiday. I used $60 of the funds to buy clothes for my children, a festive gesture that brought them immense joy. Education remains a priority for us. Thus, I invested $10 in books for my three school-going children and paid $20 towards their fee arrears. I used $70 on constructing a toilet, a much-needed facility in our home, ending our dependence on neighbors’ amenities. which brought us great relief and happiness. The remaining $10 addressed transport costs. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to GiveDirectly for their invaluable support, which has s improved our living conditions and brought hope and stability to our lives."

"Upon receiving $450 from GiveDirectly, I allocated $30 for food to sustain my family of three children. After separating from my husband, I've been raising them alone. Previously, I ran a hotel, but I had to close it when I went on maternity leave for my twins. Currently, I support my family by hawking fruits. I invested $110 in a smartphone. This device is a tool for applying for jobs that match my academic qualifications and aids in marketing my fruits. I decided to invest $173 in building a new house for us. We live in a grass-thatched house, which I built upon returning from my matrimonial home. However, the challenges of rain and ants necessitated a more durable, iron-sheet one. Recently, one of my twins fell ill with pneumonia, resulting in a hospital stay where I spent $67 on medical bills. I've also set aside $50 in savings to prepare for any unforeseen expenses. Thank you GiveDirectly for your immense support."

"I received $450 from GiveDirectly, a much-needed relief since being the sole provider for my three children after losing my husband five years ago. Food scarcity was our immediate challenge, so I spent $50 to address this challenge. Recognizing the support of my grandmother, I stayed in her land after being displaced by floods and facing unsupportive in-laws and allocated $20 as a gesture of gratitude. Healthcare was another pressing need, as two of my children were battling the flu, and my third child had both flu and typhoid. I used $30 for their medical expenses, ensuring they received the necessary treatment. Aiming for self-sufficiency, I rented half an acre of land for $50, investing another $50 in its preparation. I am awaiting the rains to start planting maize, which promises a step towards food security. I am without a permanent home, moving between different places for shelter. However, there is a glimmer of hope. I managed to save $250 of the funds, with plans to purchase my own land. And with the final transfer from GiveDirectly, I will fulfill this plan. It will be easy to settle since I own a movable house. It is not just about acquiring land; it’s about securing peace and stability for my family."

"I wanted to have a cow for a long time, especially for milk and breeding. I am genuinely grateful that the transfer enabled me to realize this dream, and I invested $150 to purchase the cow. The modest earnings from my work on my neighbour's farm, typically around $2 per day, made it challenging to save up for such a significant purchase. However, the transfer made it possible, bringing happiness as I now own a cow with the hope of milk production. Beyond domestic use, the cow holds the potential for additional income through the sale of offspring. This income will be crucial for supporting the education of my three children—two in secondary school and one in university. I used an additional $200 to make partial payments towards their school fee arrears. While the fees are not fully cleared, this contribution ensures that my children can continue their education without disruption, with plans to settle the remaining balance with the next transfer. Anticipating an improvement in living conditions, I allocated $60 to purchase five iron sheets. The goal is to construct a two-roomed iron sheet house to replace the small and outdated hut I currently reside in. Construction plans are set to commence upon receiving the third transfer. I used the remaining funds to secure food for my family, ensuring their immediate needs were met"

"The transfer played a pivotal role in realizing a heartfelt goal of improving my daughters' living conditions, a dream that felt out of reach due to financial constraints. The challenges of frequent maintenance and replacements for the small, dimly shaded hut where my three daughters slept were daunting. The laborious process of thatching grass and smearing mud, coupled with the financial strain of purchasing grass from distant locations, added to our difficulties. The casual farm work, our main income source, has become increasingly challenging due to the persistent drought, making it hard to provide for the basic needs of my family of seven. The timely support from GD allowed me to turn this dream into reality. Allocating $32 for building materials and labour, we constructed a one-room house with iron sheets. This transformative step brought immense happiness, providing my daughters with a more presentable and spacious home and fostering their contentment and peace. In light of the challenges posed by last year's drought, which affected maize production on our two acres of land, I used $110 to secure a steady food supply for my family, ensuring they did not go hungry. Additionally, I sent the remaining $20 to my daughter, who had closed school, to cover her transport cost back home. The support from GD not only met our immediate needs but also brought a sense of hope and gratitude to our family during these challenging times."