"The lack of a reliable source of income is what has made my life much tougher. This is because we depend on subsistence farming which is always affected by drought. This has pushed us to put focus on other casual jobs like charcoal burning and aloe vera extraction. The income from these activities is hardly enough to sustain our needs. In a month, when we combine efforts with my husband, we make utmost $60. Budgeting for this money, between buying food and paying school fees is the hardest task and the education for my children is what is affected most. As a mother, it's so painful watching them desperately at home, a situation that has robbed away my joy."

"The nature of my job as a charcoal vendor is what has exposed me to this hardship in life. This is because the income I get is very minimal to sustain all our household needs. Although I have a spouse, we still have the same challenges because we are in a polygamous family. This means his support is very limited. From this job, I usually make $40 per month when luck becomes a portion of that month. For this reason, we have lived a very pathetic life with my 5 children. In most cases, we miss food, children are sent out of school not forgetting the state of my house which is open to the walls. Hence, these become the challenges that I am currently facing."

"Moving forward, my primary goal is to embark on a livestock rearing and selling business. The abundant rainfall we have recently experienced promises an ample supply of food for my family in the coming months. Consequently, I plan to invest a significant portion of my subsequent transfers in acquiring as many goats as possible. By doing so, I aim to build a valuable asset for the future. If the need arises for extra funds, I can easily sell some of the goats to support myself financially. This venture holds the potential to provide both sustenance and a potential source of income for my family and me."

"My most significant achievement for the upcoming year is the realization of owning my own home. Despite a prolonged search for accommodation in my son's house, I am thrilled to announce that I will soon have a place I can call my own. Apart from securing a house, I am eager to fulfill another lifelong dream, which involves investing a substantial portion of my funds into establishing a livestock rearing venture. Having my very own livestock has been a long-standing aspiration of mine, and I am excited to make it a reality."

"In the upcoming years, my most significant achievement will be acquiring livestock, particularly goats. Goats are relatively affordable, and I can easily purchase them using my monthly stipend. My ultimate aspiration is to possess bulls, which will assist me in tilling my land during the rainy season and even generate income by tilling other people's land. I am confident that this endeavor will be prosperous, especially now that we have an abundance of food after the harvest. I intend to dedicate my monthly stipends to acquiring and investing in livestock, ensuring the success of this project."

"In the upcoming year and beyond, my primary focus and greatest achievement will be directed towards significant investments in livestock rearing. The recent rainfall has been favorable, allowing us to plant maize, and we are grateful to expect a bountiful harvest this month. With this upcoming surplus, I intend to redirect my expenses from food purchases and instead allocate the funds towards acquiring livestock. This strategic move aims to provide a safety net for any unforeseen emergencies, as I can sell the livestock and utilize the funds to address urgent situations as they arise."

"I have been suffering from pressure and ulcers for over five years now. I can not engage on any hard activities due to this problem. This has limited my sources of income and as a result sometimes I go without food. Healthy issues is the challenge I am currently facing in life."

"Upon receiving my initial transfers from Give Directly, I was immensely delighted to handle such a sum of money all at once. It brought me great joy to be able to plan for something without a lot of concern over financial constraints. It was so great and fulfilling receiving funds that I can use unconditionally."

"The most significant change in my life is the joy of having taken care of pressing needs and invested in myself. I am sincerely appreciative of this wonderful transformation. Now that I have enough food for myself, I no longer need to burn the charcoal urgently, allowing me to rest for awhile as I concentrate on my farm."

"My life is better since I started receiving the transfer, as it presented a turning point for me and my mother. Not only has it given us hope, but it has also provided opportunities to enhance our living conditions. The most comforting aspect is that we now have enough food, ensuring my elderly mother won't have to skip meals again. This positive change is truly a blessing, and I am hopeful that it will continue to bring further comfort and stability to our family."