"The primary financial burden that has been adversely affecting me pertains to the persistent challenge of food shortages within my household. Struggling to adequately provide for my family, every coin I received was entirely channelled towards basic needs, leaving me unable to venture into other endeavors, such as livestock projects. Nevertheless, I am now pleased that a successful harvest has alleviated this situation. The bounty from our farm has resulted in a sufficient food supply for my household. This positive development has opened avenues for me to use the money received towards alternative projects. I am now contemplating the acquisition of goats for rearing and keeping. Goats are easy to manage and, importantly, can be sold to generate much-needed funds during times of financial stress."

"I am grateful to GiveDirectly because, through their support, I am now in the process of building a new home. The structure that once provided me shelter collapsed, leaving me incapable of promptly starting on a new construction project. Currently, my five children reside with their grandmother, while I stay at a neighbor's residence. The unsettling sight of my children enduring such hardships disrupts my inner peace profoundly. My aspiration is to erect a spacious house capable of accommodating us all and reuniting my children under a single roof. Thus far, I have successfully procured the necessary building poles. My immediate objective is to secure the acquisition of iron sheets, thereby facilitating the progression of the house's construction. Having a good home where we can all reside in comfort and dignity is what I aspire to achieve."

"My four children, who are currently enrolled in school, have been able to attend classes without any instances of fee-related absences as a result of the consistent transfers. Despite my limited financial resources, my unwavering goal as a parent is to see their educational goals realized. My plan remains consistent in ensuring that they stay in school by always paying their fees on time, protecting them from being forced to leave due to fee arrears. Furthermore, I have been setting aside a minimum of $10, which I intend to use to purchase livestock, specifically goats. My expectation is that these goats will reproduce and multiply, and I can easily sell them to cater for my financial needs. This includes contributing to my children's education and securing their educational journey."

"I am currently a college student, training in welding. As the eldest son in my family, I feel responsible for helping my mother provide for my three younger siblings, who are all still in school. The cash transfers have been a crucial support in allowing me to contribute to our family's needs. I expect to graduate from college in the next two years and plan to establish my own welding business afterward. I am excited about setting up my business in Mariakani town. The town's larger population compared to our village means a bigger customer base, which I believe will give my business a better chance to grow and succeed. This endeavor is not only a way for me to secure my future but also to continue supporting my family's needs."

"My father is our family’s main provider, engaged in trading livestock during market days. However, the income he generates from this endeavor falls short of covering the financial demands of our family, particularly the tuition fees for my six siblings and me. Given these circumstances, I am determined to establish a foundation of wealth that can assist both my family and me, especially during times of financial hardship. My goal is to initiate a livestock-rearing venture, starting with chickens. By allowing them to breed, I aim to eventually sell them to acquire goats and cows, steadily expanding my wealth. Looking ahead, I envision using these livestock sales to fund the start of a vegetable-selling business. I believe this business could also significantly contribute to meeting the various needs of my family."

"I aspire to complete my secondary school education within the next year. This journey has had its challenges, as I had to pause my studies for one year during my first year of high school due to financial constraints. At that time, my parents were unable to afford the required school fees. This unexpected pause threatened to derail my educational dreams. However, the advent of cash transfers in my village became a turning point in my academic journey. Thanks to these transfers, I was able to resume my studies and rekindle my hope of completing high school. Beyond that, I have a longstanding aspiration to enroll for military training. This dream of becoming a soldier has been with me for a while, and I am optimistic that with the support of the cash transfers provided by GiveDirectly, I will be able to take steps toward realizing it."

"I had reached a point where I had sold off all my goats to raise funds for my children's education—four of them in secondary school and one pursuing tertiary studies. The recent transfer breathed new life into a long-forgotten project that held significant value to me. I kicked off this project by spending $120 to purchase two goats. This initiative ignites a sense of hope in me as I anticipate their gradual multiplication, which I believe will eventually lead to a stable source of wealth. Out of the amount received, I allocated $144 to ensure a consistent food supply for my family. This measure is especially crucial given the limited earnings from my blacksmith occupation, which barely amount to $50 monthly. Additionally, I dedicated $100 to settle my child's outstanding tertiary education fees since she risked missing her exams due to the arrears. Additionally, I invested $66 in acquiring new clothes and utensils for the family. This not only enhances our appearance but also replaces old, unappealing utensils, significantly improving our daily lives. The remaining portion of the transfer was used to settle a food debt with a local shop. This act not only demonstrates my commitment to fulfilling my obligations but also strengthens trust and ensures continued support during times of financial strain."

"I allocated a significant portion of the funds, totaling $400, to install a perimeter fence around my one-acre plot. This involved purchasing materials like barbed wire, chain links, poles, and nails. The fence not only demarcated my land but also effectively safeguarded my crops from zebras and wandering domestic animals. I am pleased to say that the successful completion of the fence has proven beneficial, as my crop cultivation, including tomatoes and maize, has flourished. I anticipate a fruitful harvest. The remaining funds were used to acquire a sack of maize, providing sustenance for my family of seven during the period before the maize crops are ready for harvest. This is particularly vital since my sole source of income is farming, and having this food supply helps bridge the income gap."

"In the coming year and beyond, I am determined to transition towards drought-resistant crop farming. My intention is to cultivate crops like green gram and millet, testing their viability given the challenges of rapid drying that maize farming presents in our region when rain is scarce. This intentional change in farming strategy serves two purposes: first, to provide a sustainable food source for my family; and second, to investigate the possibility of making money by selling any extra output."

"The money provided a much-needed relief for us. I allocated a substantial sum of $70 to purchase water pipes, aiming to connect water to my home from pipes situated 10 kilometers away. The primary objective behind this initiative is to ensure a sufficient water supply for irrigation purposes, both for domestic and commercial cultivation of vegetables and fruits. Given the frequent scarcity of rainfall in our area, this step holds great significance. Although the project is currently in progress, I'm pleased by the anticipation of having a reliable income source soon. Additionally, I attended to the well-being of my family of three by spending $450 on food to sustain us. Furthermore, I allocated $650 to acquire clothing and utensils, supplementing what we already had. This not only enhances our appearance but also ensures we have enough utensils for potential visitors. With the remaining funds, I responsibly settled a food debt that I owed to a nearby shop. This act aligns with my commitment to fulfilling my obligations and maintaining a sense of responsibility within the community."