"My top priority is meeting the basic needs of my mother and myself. Given our advanced age and the absence of anyone actively providing for us, we frequently experience food shortages, leaving us hungry for days. I'm glad that this planting season has provided us with enough food to last until next year. This presents an opportunity for me to invest the cash transfers in something that can generate funds for future food expenses once our current food supply runs out. Specifically, I want to invest in goats. To achieve this, I plan to save the transfers through a self-help group, accumulating enough money to buy at least three goats at once to start this venture."

"As a single mother, providing for my three children is becoming increasingly challenging, especially with the rising cost of living. I am grateful that the cash transfers have helped cover most of our basic needs, especially food and school fees for my children. Since I know the transfers will eventually come to an end, I aim to have established some wealth by that time. Specifically, I am focused on raising goats, which I plan to prioritize in the coming years. I'm relieved that the recent harvests have provided my family with enough food, which means that the upcoming transfers will give me a better opportunity to acquire goats. My goal is to have bought four goats by the end of the year."

"Over the next four years, my goal is to support my grandson Robert's education. Because his father is mentally challenged and unable to work to support him, the responsibility falls on me to care for Robert and his five younger sisters. Unfortunately, my income from charcoal burning is not sufficient to cover all his expenses. This is why I rely on cash transfers as the primary source of funds to pay for Robert's education until he completes secondary school. With the recent harvests, I believe that food security won't be a concern in the coming months, which will free up funds to support the education of these children. Additionally, I plan to start acquiring goats as a means of building wealth that can be used to generate their tuition fees in the future."

"In the upcoming years, my goal is to expand my livestock herd by acquiring more goats. I am particularly interested in goat rearing because of their resilience in harsh weather conditions, such as drought, which makes them a suitable choice compared to other livestock. This has been a long-standing goal of mine, but financial constraints and hunger have hindered me from achieving it. Now that we have harvested and hunger will be less of a concern for my family in the next few months, I see this as an opportunity to use the cash transfers to purchase goats. Given my advanced age and inability to engage in work to support my family's needs, building wealth through livestock keeping is the most practical way for me to contribute to household expenses."

"The presence of GiveDirectly in our village has brought about significant economic and social progress. Every recipient, regardless of age, gender, or social status, was entrusted with the responsibility to utilize the cash wisely. This approach sparked innovation and empowerment within our community, motivating everyone to strive diligently toward their financial goals. I am glad the transfer enabled me to build myself a good house."

"Upon receiving the second transfer, I allocated $300 to purchase additional construction materials, including iron sheets, frames, building nails, and posts, to further advance the construction of our two-room house made of iron sheets. I'm pleased to report that the house is now nearly complete, with only the installation of windows and doors and the cementing of the floor remaining. These final touches will be completed once I receive the next transfer. This new house will replace our old, crumbling mud wall structure, sparing us from the laborious task of frequently smearing the walls. Additionally, we encountered difficulties in procuring food due to the scarcity of casual labor, which I typically rely on to support my family of six. However, with the remaining $70 from the transfer, I was able to purchase an ample supply of food, ensuring that my four young children didn't go without essential meals necessary for their health and well-being."

"In my view, I believe that the program should have been extended to maximize its positive impact. The financial assistance we received has transformed our lives in ways we never imagined. Our children are now able to attend school, we have constructed new and improved shelters, and we have acquired valuable biological assets like goats and cows, which we can rely on to support our children's education. Without enrollment in the program, we would not have had the means to obtain any of these assets, and for that, we are deeply grateful."

"I used my most recent transfers to complete the construction of my house, which I had initially started with my first transfer. I had been living in a grass-thatched hut, and my lifelong dream was to have a comfortable house with an iron roof. The grass-thatched hut was constantly leaking, requiring me to replace the grass roof regularly, which was not only tiring but also impractical due to its small size. Thanks to the recent transfer, I was able to purchase iron sheets, and timber, and pay for labour to fulfil my dream. I am profoundly grateful to GiveDirectly for transforming my life; I now have a sturdy and decent house to call home. With the remaining funds, I invested $200 in buying a cow, which I am currently raising. This cow will soon provide me with a source of income through milk sales. Additionally, it serves as an asset because I can breed it and sell the offspring if I ever encounter a financial need. Furthermore, I used part of the funds to ensure that my family never went hungry by purchasing food supplies. GiveDirectly's support has made a significant difference in my life, and I can't express my gratitude enough"

"I used my first transfer to invest in my family's well-being by allocating $170 to pay off my son's school fees at Marigat Secondary School, ensuring he has a clear path to prepare for his final exams. Additionally, I purchased a bed and mattress for $84, greatly improving my quality of sleep. I invested $60 in buying two goats, which, when combined with my existing eight, now totals 10 goats, enhancing our livestock assets. To ensure our food security, I spent $70 on maize for my family of three. Furthermore, I acquired six iron sheets for $66, with the intention of using them in constructing a new house to expand my business operations. These decisions were made to secure my son's education, enhance our comfort, and invest in future opportunities for my family."

"Right after receiving the second transfer I spent $360 to revive my maize milling business, which had been on a halt due to a lack of capital. This allowed me to purchase six sacks of maize, useful in my maize-milling business. Most of the transfer went into farming, and I am pleased to report a promising harvest of 18 sacks, which I am yet to thresh. This harvest of maize ensures sufficient food for my family of six. Additionally, I prioritized my grandchild's education by using part of the funds to cover their $100 school fees, supplemented with some of my savings. Despite the pressing need for school fees, I had to balance it with maintaining my business to prepare for the upcoming harvest season."