"My goal moving forward is to continue expanding my livestock holdings, especially with goats. I believe that goats are more resilient to the harsh climatic conditions in our region compared to cattle. As I continue buying these animals, I am confident that even after the cash transfers have ceased, the livestock I've acquired with the funds will provide ongoing financial support for my six children’s education."

"Looking forward, my goal is to acquire two bulls for plowing. Having bulls during the planting season is advantageous because they can cover a larger area than manual weeding with a hoe. This season, I had to hire bulls, which was expensive. I aim to have my bulls for future planting seasons. To accomplish this, I hope to channel most of the cash transfers towards acquiring the animals."

"After many years of drought, I am relieved that the current rainy season made farming possible. Therefore, with sufficient food available, my goal is to channel most of the cash transfers towards purchasing goats. I am happy that past cash transfers enabled me to acquire one goat, which has since given birth to a kid. I believe that by continuing to rear goats, I can build up assets that I can sell in the future to meet my needs. Given my age and occasional health issues, I cannot engage in strenuous work. Rearing livestock is a suitable livelihood option for me."

"I am a widow and the mother of six children, relying on farming for our livelihood. What I earn from farming is barely sufficient to meet the needs of my family, especially since I have four children in high school and two in primary school. My transfer arrived at the perfect time of need, as my children had been sent home due to unpaid school fees, and I had no funds to cover it. The moment I received the money brought me immense happiness. I promptly used $150 to settle the school fees, and I spent $50 to prepare my farm for the upcoming planting season, where I plan to cultivate butternuts. I am delighted that my children can now focus on their studies without the worry of missing classes due to unpaid fees, as they did in the past when they had to stay home for weeks."

"My aspiration is to establish my own tailoring shop, as I possess the necessary skills to operate one proficiently. My target is to kickstart this venture by January, as my current situation of working at someone else's place is not ideal for me. It has been challenging to maintain consistency in my work, as I often do not have the opportunity to fully apply my skills. To make my dream a reality, I am diligently planning to invest in a new sewing machine, which is estimated to cost around $100. I firmly believe that this investment will enable me to become self-employed and self-reliant. Operating my own tailoring shop will provide me with the independence to serve my own clientele and generate a stable income. I am excited about the prospect of putting my skills to practical use, as such opportunities are relatively scarce in our region. With this endeavor, I am not only pursuing financial stability but also fulfilling my passion and contributing positively to my community through my expertise in tailoring."

"I currently have two sons enrolled in high school, and it has been quite a challenge to meet their tuition fees. In the past, I struggled to pay their fees on time, which put them at risk of being discontinued from school. Unfortunately, I do not have any additional income that could have made it easier for me to cover their educational expenses. While my other children would have liked to assist, they also have their own families to support. My primary objective is to ensure that my children can continue their education despite my financial constraints. The monthly transfers I receive provide me with the assurance that I need to pay for my sons' education on time. This support is crucial for them to complete their high school education and ultimately achieve their educational goals. I depend on these transfers to make sure they can stay in school and have the opportunity for a brighter future."

"My current residence is quite small and lacks ample space. Currently, I am in the process of saving $20 each month with the goal of constructing a two-room extension, which will require a total of 18 iron sheets. So far, I have managed to purchase 14 iron sheets through the financial assistance I've received. I am sincerely grateful to GiveDirectly for making this possible through their generous transfers. I am optimistic that, as I continue to accumulate savings, I will be able to acquire the remaining iron sheets and the necessary building poles to commence construction. The prospect of having a more spacious house holds immense significance for me, as it means that my children will no longer have to seek shelter from neighbours at night."

"Having successfully achieved my objective of constructing a new house, my next plan involves utilizing my funds to acquire additional goats. I hold the belief that these goats will prove to be a valuable resource in times of financial uncertainty. As a subsistence farmer, my income is not stable or dependable, making livestock ownership a prudent investment choice. I can anticipate selling some of them and generating a supplementary income stream. Additionally, goats are easy to maintain and require less management, further solidifying their appeal as an investment option."

"My objective is to expand my livestock holdings, particularly by focusing on acquiring more goats and cows. These animals are relatively easy for me to care for, and I can depend on them as a financial safety net during challenging times. Currently, I am the proud owner of fifteen goats that I have been actively breeding. Given that I primarily engage in subsistence farming and lack a consistent source of income, these livestock provide invaluable support. My aim is to allow these animals to multiply, enabling me to sell them when I face urgent financial needs. Additionally, I have four grandsons whose education I actively support. Their father's employment situation is not stable, and there have been instances where I've had to step in and provide assistance. Given my less-than-favourable financial circumstances, I am concerned about their educational prospects. Consequently, I intend to rely on the growth of my goat herd as a means to secure their education."

"At the moment, I believe that livestock ownership is the most promising venture for me, primarily because it is relatively easy to manage. I currently have a small poultry flock and one sheep, but financial constraints have prevented me from expanding my livestock holdings. For a considerable period, I struggled with severe food shortages, largely due to prolonged drought conditions. Most of my income was devoted to purchasing food and water, leaving no room for investments in livestock. However, a positive turn of events occurred recently when I successfully cultivated my five-acre plot of land and reaped a bountiful harvest. With food security no longer a pressing concern, I am now in a position to allocate my monthly transfers towards acquiring livestock, with a particular focus on goats that have the potential to multiply over time. This strategic livestock investment will not only help me address my financial obligations but also secure my future. I intend to save a portion of my monthly income to gradually build up my livestock assets"