"I am a widow of two children . I live with one the other one is living in a nother location. I do casual jobs earning approximately $30 per month which caters for food only. Casual jobs are tedious with very low income that I cannot investment in any sustainable project. My community has been under drought for the past three years now making crop farming very difficult. I will use $1000 to buy generator and water pipes to go do irrigation along river Galana. This will bring sustainable food security to the family and also sell to the community and earn income."

"Over the last 6 months, I drew my joy and happiness from the harvest that people got in the irrigation farms in Sandai. This created jobs for us and I managed to purchase food and other household goods which delighted me so much."

"The prolonged drought is the main challenge that I feel is making my life difficult. During the planting season, I managed to sell my goats and planted one hectare of maize. However, I only got 90 KGS of maize. This is so because of the lack of rain and enough water for irrigation. This makes my life difficult because I know that in the next four months, I won't have food for my family which stresses me a lot."

"My happiness over the past 6 months came from the rains we received. This created a lot of opportunities for us to get casual work in the irrigation farms. This enabled us to put food on the table which delighted us so much."

"In the coming years, my primary focus will be on agriculture. I intend to lease one acre of land in a nearby irrigation scheme, where I can practice farming more effectively. My goal is to concentrate on cultivating maize primarily for sale, which I believe will generate a significant income. Additionally, after the maize harvest, I plan to plant green grams. This strategic approach to farming will ensure a steady source of income. I am confident that this farming venture will provide me with the financial means to provide the best possible education for my children, securing a brighter future for them."

"In the coming years, my primary focus will be on agriculture. I intend to lease land situated near a river, taking advantage of its water supply for irrigation, given the unpredictability of our rainfall. My plan is to cultivate both maize and millet, with the goal of meeting our domestic food needs and generating income through commercial sales. This agricultural venture will not only ensure that my family has an ample food supply but also enable me to comfortably afford my children's school fees."

"It's been a difficult period for the last 3 years. We've had a long drought cutting across seasons. This has led to severe water shortage. Due to our dependence of irrigation for farming, it's hard harvesting. Most of the time my farm dries due to lack of rains or water to irrigate. This has really affected my ability to establish myself. It has led to low farm productivity and I also grow a small portion of the land. This is because of inadequate water supply."

"I invested $300 of the GiveDirectly transfers in building a new home for my family. Previously, we were living in a cramped mud house with just one room, and this upgrade was long overdue. Not only has this new home provided us with much-needed space and comfort, but it also protects us from various inconveniences, including crawling animals. $80 of the transfers went towards securing our food supply. Before, making ends meet was quite stressful as I relied on selling charcoal, which often didn't generate enough income for our family. Now, with the ability to buy food regularly, we are no longer plagued by food scarcity, and this has brought relief to our household. Another valuable investment was the $30 I spent on a water pipe. This allows me to engage in irrigation, ensuring that our farm receives adequate water during dry seasons. This not only supports our food production but also contributes to our overall well-being. Furthermore, I purchased a Neem tree for $40, which serves multiple purposes. Apart from improving the environment around our home, Neem is known for its medicinal properties, which will benefit us health-wise. Additionally, the tree will provide much-needed shade during sunny seasons, making our outdoor space more comfortable. In essence, the GiveDirectly transfers have enabled me to address essential aspects of our lives, from housing and food security to improving our environment and health."

"Receiving this money means achieving my ambition of being a fruit farmer. I have set aside two acres of land that I need to do mango and pawpaw farming on a large scale. Due to financial challenges, I have not fenced the farm making it easier to be encroached on by livestock. I will use the transfers to purchase chain links for permanent fencing and seedlings. At the same time, do piping for laying drop irrigation to ensure continued support of water. I am hopeful that this will earn me a good fortune in the next three years since it has minimum maintenance costs therefore maximizing on profits."

"I had a strong desire to own my cows because the ones currently in my house belonged to my son, and I lacked control over them, particularly when it came to selling them to meet the family's needs. When I received the transfer, I used it to purchase a cow valued at $150. I am genuinely delighted to now have one, and I am optimistic that they will reproduce and multiply in number. These will sustain me through my future, especially considering my old age, which limits my ability to engage in manual labor for income. Additionally, I acquired a 2500-litre water storage tank for $230, which has been instrumental in preserving the rationed water we receive twice a week. I am proud to say that this tank has allowed me to engage in small-scale irrigation for my kitchen garden and fruit cultivation. Consequently, I no longer need to purchase vegetables as frequently as before since I get them from the garden. I allocated $36 to purchase a new mattress, replacing the old and worn-out one I had used for a decade. With the remaining funds, I invested in purchasing cement to finalize the construction of a latrine slab. This was a project I initiated but could not complete due to financial constraints. I am profoundly thankful that the toilet is now fully functional, sparing me the discomfort of sharing one with my neighbor and upholding our dignity and privacy."