"Providing for my family of three has been a challenging endeavor, particularly as we rely on unpredictable subsistence farming and casual labor for sustenance. However, since receiving my initial transfer, I have been able to allocate $70 towards purchasing essential food items that we continue to utilize. Furthermore, I spent $32 on acquiring new wall nets and tablecloths, which have enhanced the appearance of my residence. As I depart for my casual labor each morning, I am filled with gratitude towards GiveDirectly. Additionally, I invested $15 in the purchase of five chickens, which I am currently raising with the intention of breeding and selling their products in the future. Moreover, I spent $30 to procure a chicken coop, which I transported back home for a mere $5."

"In the past, my family and I would often move to new places frequently, and we didn't want to invest in any expensive structures as we were unsure of how long we would stay in one place. As a result, we never had basic amenities such as latrines, which led us to relieve ourselves in scattered bushes, posing a health risk and contaminating water during the rainy season. With the knowledge we received from public health officers, we decided to spend $100 from the first transfer on digging a 10-foot pit latrine, which we are yet to construct. I also purchased a chicken coop worth $15 since I already had chicks that shared my kitchen space every evening. This was not comfortable for my children, who sleep on the floor, and the stench from the feces of the chicks was unbearable. Moreover, I needed to improve my living conditions, so I bought curtains worth $10 and a piece of furniture worth $27. I then used the remaining amount to buy foodstuff and transport the construction materials from the nearby shopping center. I am grateful for the support from GiveDirectly and look forward to completing the ongoing projects once I receive the second transfer."

"My target is to make poultry farming my principal source of income. Because they are in more demand than any other animal, I feel they will make it easier for me to raise funds in the future to meet my family's requirements. I currently possess about 50 hens, the majority of which I obtained from prior cash transfers. I intend to procure more chickens in the future to grow the flock. Also, as their number increases, they will require a larger shed. This is why I want to build a more spacious cage to accommodate the chickens as they breed and multiply. "

"I have always wanted to buy goats and chickens but financial constraints have been a major barrier to achieving that. I believe that owning goats will help generate more funds in the future when the animals reproduce. However, as much as I yearn to accomplish my livestock-rearing goal, I could never prioritize it over providing food for my family. When I received the recent transfer, my household had just run out of maize flour and I had been stressed over how I could raise money to replenish more. At that time, my business of making charcoal had not bore fruit, so I spent $16 from the cash transfer on food. I am relieved because my house has never lacked food since that day. As the remaining funds could not afford a goat, I used $8 to buy two chickens. I saved the remaining $10. I aim to accumulate enough savings to buy a decent wooden bed and a mattress. I would be happy to be freed from the discomfort of sleeping on a sisal-twined bed. "

"Prior to receiving the initial cash transfer from GiveDirectly, I depended on selling illicit alcohol to local customers as a source of income. This presented several challenges, and I often faced arrest and hefty fines. However, the cash transfer provided me with relief from the illegal business, and I am now dedicating my efforts towards improving my farming activities, which I anticipate will yield greater rewards. Additionally, I have chickens and a bullock that I expect will grow and be useful in the future. With the second transfer, I spent $280 on purchasing a large water tank, which I am currently setting it up to collect rainwater and store seasonal piped water delivered to my doorstep. I also spent $15 on transportation fees for the tank and $110 on food for my family of five. I am pleased that we still have sufficient food, and I hope to replenish our supplies when we receive the next transfer. I used the remaining funds to pay off a milk debt at a nearby shop, purchase household items, and buy a few clothes for my children. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for their support and look forward to accomplishing more in the future."

"I am filled with hope and excitement as I plan to start a new chicken-selling business using the newly acquired motorcycle in the coming year. My goal is to buy chicken from local farmers at a fair price and supply it wholesale to a stationed buyer in the nearby shopping center, Marigat. With the help of the motorcycle, I aim to make at least three trips a week, ensuring a steady supply of chicken to the buyer. I believe that this business venture has great potential as there is a high demand for chicken in the area, and the lack of a steady supply has resulted in high prices. By providing a consistent supply, I hope to establish myself as a reliable and trusted supplier and grow my business over time. This venture holds a lot of promise for me and my family in the future, and I am excited to see where it will take us."

"A few years ago, I lost a herd of three cows and some goats as a result of the drought that dried up vegetation and water pans. It was a low moment in my life as these animals were the backbone of my financial stability; I used to sell them for money. After the tragedy, I was not able to acquire more livestock because I did not have funds. I am grateful that the financial aid opened an ideal door toward reviving my livestock-keeping venture. So far, I have obtained two goats and two chickens from the transfers. By next year, I wish to have increased the number of goats. Despite the harsh climatic conditions, I believe these animals are more resilient in such weather."

"I've always desired to own livestock, but financial restraints have limited my ability to do so. Because of my physical vulnerability, I am unable to actively work for an income; thus, owning livestock is the greatest alternative for me. I'm particularly thankful for prior cash transfers, which enabled me to purchase three chickens and three goats. I hope that this herd will grow in the coming years so that I may sell them to support the education of my three younger siblings."

"I have wanted to invest so that I could have a safety net in case of disaster. The protracted drought in our region has made it difficult for this zeal to manifest. After considering several options, I decided to start modestly while aiming for the huge investment of my preferred goat farming. I utilized $24 of the most recent transfer to purchase three hens and two cocks because I already have two goats. Since that chickens have a rapid reproductive cycle, I am optimistic that I will soon have a large number of chicks. I plan to trade the chickens for goats after the flock has increased. According to our local math, six chickens are equal to one goat. I shall therefore be better able to trade my chickens for goats when they procreate. The remaining $10 I used to purchase food for my maintenance."

"I started my investment journey by using the most recent transfer. I wanted to have both livestock and poultry. With that information, I decided to buy two chickens for $8. I decided to save the $22 and used the remaining $4 to purchase some food to last me for a few days. The purpose of saving this money is to add to it with a portion of the subsequent transfer so that I can purchase a goat for $35. In the event of a financial need, I can easily rely on my goat and chicken keeping to save for the future."