"From the recent transfer, I spent $24 on maize flour to boost the little that was left in stock. As it is still the planting season, I had hired someone to help with planting, but I had not been able to compensate them for their labor. Fortunately, I received the funds just in time to repay the person the remaining $10 I owed them. In June, I used $13 to buy two bags of cement for my house construction project. I am planning to build a house made of fabricated bricks as my current house is in poor condition, with walls collapsing from the rains. I also spent $14 on maize flour for food, $5 for my child's school fees, and $2 to buy a hen. As a security guard at a primary school, my earnings are not enough to fully cover the needs of my family, including my four children. That is why I started a chicken-rearing project, and it has been a significant help in financing the education of my children. Currently, I have around 50 chickens, and the profits from selling them contribute to my children's education and other household needs. In May, I spent $13 on two bags of cement, $10 on buying five chickens, $5 on my child's school fees, and $4 on school shoes. The rest of the money was used to buy food, ensuring that my children have something to eat when they come back from school."

"I used my recent transfers to purchase a mattress for $34 in order to replace the old, worn-out mats and rags that I had been using on my traditional bed for years. The new mattress has made a difference, providing me with comfortable and restful sleep, which I am truly grateful for. Furthermore, I also used $25 to hire oxen to plow 2 acres of land. This allowed me to cultivate the land on time, and now I am eagerly anticipating a bountiful harvest. Had it not been for the financial support, I might have faced delays in land preparation due to relying on inferior farm tools. Hiring oxen has increased my chances of having a successful harvest, which, in turn, will help alleviate any potential food shortages in my household. I also purchased two chickens for $5. These additions to my poultry are not only a source of joy but also a means of generating some cash in case of financial challenges. Lastly, I also prioritized paying the school fees for my two children. This investment in their education has allowed them to stay in school without frequent interruptions, as they were previously sent home when I faced financial constraints. I am delighted to see them continuing their studies without worries, thanks to the timely payment of their fees."

"Being unemployed inspired me to start a poultry farm in order to make a living. The business requires little capital to start and is simple to run. I am glad to report that, thanks to Give Directly transfers, I have obtained around 30 hens that I am rearing and want to sell once they reach maturity. I spent $55 on chicken feed and medication because several of them were sick and required emergency treatment. On top of that, I spent $16 on food for my family because we were experiencing a shortage. I saved the remainder of my transfers and plan to use them in the future."

"My main goal is to save enough money by next year to enroll one of my children in high school after they complete primary school this year. In pursuit of this goal, I intend to keep buying goats and chickens to ensure I have a source of funds. I would be happier to secure education for all my seven children, who are currently attending school. Both my husband and I rely on charcoal burning as our primary source of income, and we equally contribute to support the family's needs."

"In the coming year and beyond, I hope to build a chicken coop and grow chickens for sale. This will considerably supplement my income and allow me to cover the basic needs of my family. I'd also like to try subsistence farming now that we've had enough rain in the last two months. This means food security for my family and an improvement in the quality of our life."

"In July, a significant portion of my transfers, totaling $20, was allocated towards purchasing building poles for constructing a new house. The current state of my mud-walled house, covered with rusted iron sheets, is dire as they fall apart whenever strong winds blow. To mitigate this problem, we have resorted to placing stones on top of the iron sheets, but the supporting poles have weakened, and the mud walls now bear huge cracks and holes. Building a new house has become imperative to secure my safety, preventing the risk of collapse and potential homelessness. In addition to the construction expenses, I also invested $3 in purchasing a single hen, increasing the total count of hens in my possession to three. My plan is to further expand the flock by acquiring more chickens and eventually selling them once they mature. This would provide an opportunity for additional income to support my family. Moreover, $5 was utilized to pay my son's primary school fees, ensuring that he can continue his education without being sent home for non-payment. Given my husband's advanced age and declining health, we heavily rely on my son's casual labor income to sustain our needs. With the remaining $6, I managed to buy food for my family. Considering our circumstances, this was immensely beneficial as my husband's illness restricts his ability to contribute to the household income. This financial support is crucial for ensuring our well-being and sustenance."

"Paying school fees for my five children has been an immense struggle, leading to frequent disruptions in their education as they were sent home due to inability to meet the required fees on time. Thanks to the financial support, my children can now attend school comfortably, and their education is no longer at risk. The assistance has proven invaluable in securing their access to education, and I am grateful for this opportunity. In addition to the challenges with school fees, providing for my family was also a constant burden. We often faced food shortages, making it difficult to meet our daily needs. Nevertheless, the relief brought by the transfers has been remarkable. With this financial support, I have been able to purchase enough food to sustain us for weeks, alleviating the burden of food scarcity and ensuring that my family is well fed. Furthermore, I also invested in buying four chickens, which I am currently rearing. These chickens represent a valuable asset for me, as my goal is to raise them and let them multiply. This will give me the option to sell them in case of any financial emergencies, providing a safety net for my family's financial stability."

"My primary goal for the coming year and beyond is to acquire more livestock, specifically goats and chickens. To accomplish this, I have diligently saved at least $20 per month in our local savings group for the sole purpose of purchasing these valuable assets. Owning livestock not only gives me pride, but it also provides a vital safety net for any potential financial emergencies, which is especially important given that I do not currently have a regular source of income. With the funds saved, I have already made progress towards my aspiration. I have purchased two goats and three chickens, and I am devotedly rearing them with care. Aside from the financial benefits, these livestock give me the peace of mind that my children's education is secure. If the need arises, I can readily sell some of the livestock to cover their school expenses, ensuring that their educational journey remains uninterrupted."

"In light of the recent successful harvests, my focus now turns to supporting the education of my six children, all of whom are in primary school. To accomplish this, I aspire to keep livestock, such as goats and chickens, to build sustainable wealth. The ultimate goal is to sell some of these livestock to support my children's studies as education is crucial for their growth and success. The cash transfers have been instrumental in easing some of our immediate financial burdens, and I plan to use them wisely to invest in the education of my children and build a better future for our entire family."

"I used my most recent transfers to buy and invest in livestock. This included acquiring four chickens for $11, a goat for $2800, and a sheep for $2600. Owning livestock has always been a dream of mine because these animals are valuable assets, especially for people like me who do not have formal employment. My daily activities revolve around subsistence farming, which ensures food availability but provides no investment value. I take great pride in being the owner of these chickens, goats, and sheep. I am currently raising them, allowing them to breed and multiply. I can confidently meet my financial needs by selling the offspring they produce as they grow. Moreover, I have ambitious plans to start a shop business where I'll be selling charcoal. To accomplish this, I plan to raise the necessary capital by rearing and selling my livestock. Aside from investing in livestock, I made sure to set aside a portion of the transfer to buy food for my family. We now have an adequate supply of maize flour and cereals, allowing us to enjoy three meals a day. This newfound stability brings me immense happiness and contentment."