"I've always had a desire to pursue poultry farming, particularly raising chickens. Unfortunately, earlier this year, there was an outbreak of chicken disease in my area that wiped out all the poultry. As a result, I've decided to abandon the poultry project and focus on goats instead. I believe that goat farming presents a great business opportunity, as one mature goat can generate significant income. This investment will help me cover my children's school fees and other essential expenses while also providing support for my husband. Furthermore, I'm interested in starting a small fish business to complement the goat rearing project. To achieve these two goals, I plan to use my transfer to invest in them, and these are my objectives for the coming year and beyond."

"I am a crop farmer, and when I received my second cash transfer from GiveDirectly, I immediately set out to invest it wisely to secure my family's future. I spent $120 to prepare my acre of land, plowing, buying maize seeds, planting, and hiring labor to fence the land. This was essential to ensure our food security, especially after losing our previous crop to floods. At the time, we were running low on food, so I bought a bag of maize for $40 to keep us going. Additionally, I purchased a plot of land because where we live is prone to flooding. I found half an acre for $600 and paid a deposit of $250 from the transfer, planning to clear the balance with my final transfer and proceeds from my maize harvest. . On top of that, I spent $20 on clothes because ours were worn out, and it felt good to look presentable again. The remaining amount went into my small eatery, where I bought wheat flour, sugar, and cooking oil to keep the business running and diversify my income to meet my children's needs."

"I started by investing $101 to plough two acres of land and set up ridges, which was essential since it’s the planting season for beans. Following that, I spent $100 on quality bean seeds to ensure a good harvest. I know that beans can provide a quick return on investment, so I’m hopeful for a fruitful season. In addition to farming, I also addressed a pressing need at home. I bought a metal bed for $100 because my wooden one had fallen victim to termites and was infested with bedbugs. This small change will help us sleep better and maintain our health. Moreover, I invested $95 in ten pipes for irrigation on my farm, which will enable me to water my beans more effectively, ensuring a robust crop yield. With the remainder of the cash transfer, I purchased fuel for my generator, which I will use to pump water for irrigation. All these investments are aimed at improving our living situation and ensuring a better future for my family."

"When I received the cash transfer, I immediately put $300 towards buying 30 bags of cement. I’ve been building a three-room house, and the floor was just sand, which gets dusty and messy when it rains. With the cement, I plan to give the floor a solid finish and also raise the entrance a little to prevent water from getting in during heavy rains. It’s a small improvement, but it makes the home feel more stable and comfortable for all of us. I also used $80 to plough two acres of land to plant beans. Farming has always been a crucial part of our family’s income, and beans are a reliable crop that does well in our area. Lastly, I set aside $20 to buy some clothes for my 4-year-old daughter and myself. It felt nice to treat us a little and have something new to wear. I used the remaining money to stock up on household food items to ensure we’re food secure as I continue working as a teacher and supporting my husband, who also helps with the farm."

"I got a C+ after completing my fourth form and I remain hopeful about starting college in the coming years. My plan is to enroll in nursing school since I meet the entry requirements. However, I have been facing financial challenges. To address this, I decided to invest my transfer funds in buying goats. I’m pleased to say that I now own twenty goats, with a goal of reaching fifty. This will allow me to sell some goats to raise money for my college fees. I don't have anyone to rely on, as my parents are unemployed and have my younger siblings to support. I have confidence in myself and believe that one day I will attend college and pursue my chosen course. I am optimistic that going to college will open up new job opportunities for me. This has been my dream for the future."

"When GiveDirectly came to our village, I was initially unsure of what to expect. But they visited us personally, took time to meet with each of us, and explained the program in a way that was easy to understand. I could see that they genuinely cared about us, about our lives, and about what we might be able to achieve with a little support. By speaking to us one-on-one, they made sure we understood the program on a personal level, addressing our questions and concerns patiently. It felt respectful, like they trusted us to make good decisions. The best part of this program is that the money they send comes directly to me—there are no middlemen involved, so I receive the full amount. And I appreciate that they gave me complete freedom to decide how to spend it. They didn’t try to tell me what I needed; instead, they trusted me to know what’s best for myself and my family."

"When I received the cash transfer, I knew right away that I had to use part of it to settle an outstanding payment on a plot I had bought in Lororok. I took out $400 to complete the purchase, securing half an acre for my family. This land means a lot to us, as we plan to build a house there. The place where we currently live floods heavily whenever it rains, making life difficult and unpredictable. Once we move to the new plot, the current land will remain available for farming, which will also help us in the long run. With the remaining funds, I bought household food items to restock our supplies. The flooding earlier in the season had swept away what we had planted, leaving us with very little to eat. Being able to purchase food gave me peace of mind, knowing my family would have enough to get through the tough times."

"I am a father with one child, and I currently live in a one-room house. As our family expands, I want to increase our living space. My plan is to construct a larger two-room house. The decision on whether to use metal sheets or stone will depend on my available budget. I have joined a merry-go-round to help save enough money for this construction project. As a driver, I am optimistic that my earnings, along with the contributions from the merry-go-round, will enable me to achieve my goal. I have also begun buying metal sheets and currently have fifteen. I am confident that this new home will bring the comfort and happiness my family deserves."

"The biggest difference I've seen since receiving the cash from GiveDirectly is that I've started farming, something I had never done before in my life. Just yesterday, I sold my very first harvest and made $500! I feel like the happiest person alive because, to be honest, I can't remember the last time I held that much money in my hands. Before this, I used to earn just $16 every two weeks from burning charcoal, a difficult and exhausting job. I never realized farming could be this profitable, and now I see a future where I can keep growing, both in my skills and my earnings. GiveDirectly has truly changed my life."

"A strong wind recently destroyed my house, forcing us to seek shelter at my neighbor's homestead. The roof had developed holes, and the walls were significantly weakened due to leaks from the rain. Its condition made it vulnerable to further destruction. Because of this, I am planning to build a spacious two-roomed house that will accommodate my growing family comfortably. Our current situation is challenging since we are temporarily staying with my neighbor. To make this dream a reality, I have been saving $20 from my transfers each month to purchase two iron sheets. I’m pleased to say that I have already bought 10 iron sheets. Once I acquire the remaining 10 pieces, we can begin the construction process. Accomplishing this will bring me great happiness. After that, I intend to save my transfers and start a grocery business that will help me support my children once my dream house is completed."