"I allocated $70 to purchase essential food items, understanding the urgency of the situation and the importance of securing provisions for my family during these challenging times. With the remaining funds, I decided to lease a piece of land for farming. It cost me $300, but it was strategically located along the river, allowing me to implement irrigation whenever necessary. I saw this as an opportunity to invest in a more stable future and increase our chances of having enough food in the long run. Part of the money went towards paying $50 for school fees, reflecting my commitment to education and providing opportunities for a better life for my family. To make the most of the farming venture and avoid borrowing tools, I spent $30 to purchase equipment like a hammer and a saw. This way, I could efficiently build essential structures, such as the chicken house, and ensure a successful farming operation. The assistance I received from GiveDirectly made all of this possible. Without their support, I wouldn't have been able to take these steps towards a more sustainable future. Now, I am patiently waiting for the crops to mature, hopeful that they will shield us from the inadequacies of food and lead us to a more self-sufficient life."

"I have made several wise investments since receiving the cash transfers. Initially, I purchased a goat and chickens, using part of the funds to pay my children's school fees. Recently, I bought another goat worth $34, aiming to rear them and allow them to reproduce. I plan to sell the offspring to cover the school fees of my four children in primary school. Currently, my husband and I depend on selling charcoal to pay for their education, but with the help of the cash transfers, our children can now attend school without interruptions, and I am immensely grateful for this support."

"As I navigate the challenges of providing for my wife and five children, the cash transfers have provided some relief, but I still face the reality of finding sustainable solutions to support my family's needs. Thankfully, with the ongoing planting season, I am hopeful that there will be enough food to sustain my family. With this assurance, I plan to invest in acquiring livestock such as cattle, goats, and chickens. Having a diverse range of livestock will not only provide a stable source of income but also offer opportunities to sell some of the animals when needed. This way, I can access funds for various expenses and ensure that my family's needs are met without struggling."

"The cash brought a glimmer of hope into my life after the difficult divorce that left me separated from my two beloved daughters. Determined to secure their future, I immediately used a portion of the funds to pay for their education. I invested $67 in their school fees, ensuring my eldest daughter in sixth grade and my younger one in fifth grade could continue their studies uninterrupted. Knowing they were receiving an education gave me a sense of comfort, and I was determined to work hard to provide them with the best opportunities possible. Looking forward to the future, I saw an opportunity to invest in livestock. With $275, I purchased seven goats and some chickens. I understood that these animals held great potential as valuable assets and a source of income in the long run. They would not only provide sustenance but could also be bred and sold to further expand my income opportunities. With the remaining amount, I made sure to buy enough food to sustain myself while I continued my charcoal-selling business. The unconditional cash transfer gave me a fresh start and a renewed sense of purpose, guiding me towards a better future for both myself and my daughters."

"Having faced financial constraints, I used to buy food in small quantities, resulting in high costs. However, upon receiving the recent transfer from GiveDirectly, ensuring an adequate food supply for my family of five became my top priority. I allocated $105 to essential food items, such as a 90-kg bag of dry maize grains, 10 kg of beans, cooking oil, tea leaves, wheat flour, and 5kg of sugar. Transporting these provisions home cost me $1 for a motorcycle service. Additionally, I spent $5 on toiletries and $29 on school uniforms for my son. Moreover, I took him to the hospital for a check-up, using $15 to cover the examination fees and medication. To secure additional income and ensure a sustainable future, I invested $9 in acquiring three chickens, which I am currently raising and plan to expand. Furthermore, I settled a $20 debt with a nearby shop, where I had obtained food on credit, expressing my gratitude for their patience. To weed my millet farm, I hired five workers, paying them a total of $15 for their diligent efforts. The generous support from GiveDirectly has significantly relieved my daily struggles and improved access to essential resources."

"I have a family of three members. I lost my job last year on November and since then life has not been so easy. I have a worker who takes care of my goats and I have hard time giving him his salary of $70 per month. I have now decided to venture into agriculture. I already have 27 goats with four chickens and I plan to increase the number when I get money. I will use $670 to buy 12 goats and 30 chickens. This will boost my financial base and eradicate poverty. I will also save $400 for my son who is in grade 3 now. This will help him once he joins secondary school"

"I spent a larger portion of my recent transfers on food for my family, such as maize flour. My children and I were forced to skip meals in order to save money for the next day due to frequent food shortages in my household. I was relying on subsistence farming to ensure food availability, but our farms were no longer productive after a long period of drought. Purchasing food on a daily basis was my only option; however, due to financial constraints, I was unable to do so. Without the money, the current difficult economic situation, which has raised the prices of necessities such as food, would have been unbearable. In addition to food, I spent some of the money on my son's school fees. By paying for him on time, he was able to stay in school and continue his studies comfortably. I am at ease because I have plenty of time to save up enough money and plan for the next term. I also spent $10 on two chickens, which I am currently keeping and have increased their number to ten. I hope to have a poultry project that will provide me with income."

"I spent my most recent money on buying iron sheets, two chickens, and daily food for my family. I have been staying at a friend's house for a while now. I am now 21 years old, and I want to have my own home where I can plan for myself and enjoy my privacy. I have been saving money every month to build the house, and I have already purchased ten iron sheets. I am aiming for 15 iron sheets in order to begin purchasing other materials, such as building poles. Having my own home means that I will no longer be dependent on my friends for shelter. In addition, I used some of the recent transfers to buy chickens, of which I now have more than ten. I work at a food kiosk, which pays very little per day, and I believe that having this poultry project will supplement my income and increase my savings. I can sell the chickens later to help with the house's construction. I am also responsible for my six siblings, so I used the transfer to buy food, including maize flour, that would last for several weeks. We had enough food for the entire family to eat. We never went a single day without eating. I am grateful because the transfer has made it much easier to meet the family's basic needs, as opposed to when there was no financial support."

"Due to the ongoing rains, my mud-walled house was leaning on one side, as they are susceptible to rainfall. Over the past few months, I hired someone to construct concrete pillars on the corners and reinforce the foundation of the walls. I am pleased with the progress as the structure now appears more stable. However, the work is not yet complete, as the foundation still needs attention. This is my priority until the end of the year. Once that is done, I plan to invest in more livestock to expand my two-cow herd. Specifically, I aim to start with chickens as they are more affordable and breed at a faster rate. Owning livestock will provide a stable source of wealth, and I can sell these animals to acquire funds for my needs."

"My challenge currently is the lack of money. I depend on casual work which I usually do within the village after my chicken business failed. This has made life very difficult for me since I sometimes fail to get work and therefore lack money to purchase food. This makes life very difficult since without money I have to sleep on an empty stomach."