"Since I currently do not have a permanent job to rely on, I have struggled to balance providing basic needs for my family and paying my children's school fees. To address this, I came up with a strategy to save for the future by acquiring assets that I can depend on even after GiveDirectly completes its operations in my region. I used $80 to buy two goats and three chickens. I find goat-keeping to be an easy project, as it is common in my village, and these animals survive harsh climatic conditions better than other domestic animals. Also, owning goats is one of the fastest ways to earn money locally. They reproduce and multiply, allowing me to sell them and generate income, which will make providing for my family easier. I was also able to pay $10 for my daughter's school fees, ensuring her studies were not frequently disrupted. Lastly, I spent $13 on food, as there was none left in the house, which has been an ongoing issue. I am thankful that, with the cash, I can now at least have a single meal a day."

"I am a mother of seven, and six of my children are still in school. To support my family, I work as a nursery school teacher employed by the parents, while my husband runs a small kiosk. With the last three transfers amounting to $102, I took careful steps to ensure the money was put to good use. First, I saved $30 in a merry-go-round group, which is helping me accumulate funds to build a new house. The one we live in is old and weak, and I am determined to improve our living conditions. This savings plan gives me hope for a more secure future for my family. Since we didn’t get any harvests last season, I had to prioritize my family’s immediate needs. I spent $38 on food to ensure my children had enough to eat, and $30 went toward paying their school fees. Education is a priority in our family, and I want to ensure all my children stay in school despite the challenges we face. With the remaining $4, I bought a hen, bringing my poultry count to six. These chickens are slowly becoming a small source of income, helping us get by during difficult times."

"I am a father of two, relying on motorbike riding to provide for my family. Since I don’t own my own motorbike and have to rent one, saving money has always been a challenge. When I started receiving monthly transfers, I decided to save towards buying my motorbike, which would help me become more independent and improve my earnings. With my last three transfers amounting to $102, I continued with this goal by saving $88 at K-REP, a financial institution. Owning my own motorbike would mean no more rental fees, allowing me to bring home more for my family. In addition to saving, I used $10 to buy chicken feed for my 25 poultry. This is an important investment because the chickens provide us with an income when sold. I’m working to grow this small poultry business alongside my riding to make life easier for my family. Finally, with the remaining $4, I bought two packets of maize flour to ensure we had food at home. Every bit counts, and while I focus on long-term goals, I also make sure to meet my family’s immediate needs."

"Since my husband is elderly and jobless, I have been left with the burden of taking care of the children, which has been quite challenging as age is also catching up with me. The only business I depend on is the charcoal one, which has become very competitive. Providing for the family has been difficult, especially for my son, who recently joined secondary school. His school journey has been tough, as he has often been out of class due to arrears. Therefore, I paid $20 from the recent transfer so that he could stay in school, and I feel that he is now inspired to perform well. In addition, I bought two chickens worth $14, which I believe will increase in number. In the future, I plan to sell some and use the money to handle any emergencies that may arise. Also, my clothes were quite torn, which lowered my self-esteem, so I used $11 from the transfer to buy a few pieces of clothing. I feel good now and more content. Finally, on the day I received the cash, I was quite unwell and decided to use $9 to visit the hospital and get medication. I am glad that I am now faring better and able to face the days ahead. I also used $50 to purchase sufficient food for the household, as we are facing a prolonged drought and there was a need to stock up on food."

"I am a mother of one and a trained teacher, although I haven't been able to find a job yet. I rely on my husband, who works as a primary school teacher, to support our family. With the last three transfers, I knew I had to make smart decisions for our future. First, I saved $60 because I want to apply for my certificates. Some time ago, I lost my primary school academic certificate, which has been a major setback for me in obtaining the TSA number needed to secure employment. By saving this money, I am taking a crucial step towards recovering my documents and securing employment. With the remaining $42, I bought one hen and some chicken feed. Currently, I have ten chickens, some of which have chicks. These chickens have become an important investment for me. They not only provide us with eggs and an income but also offer hope for a better future. Each chick is like a step forward, bringing us closer to financial stability. I am grateful for the transfers, as they have helped me invest wisely while working towards my goal of getting employed."

"My primary objective is to pursue higher education. I finished my Form Four studies in March 2022 at Mlanza Secondary School. I am keen on enrolling in an electrical course due to the attainable entry requirements based on my grades. This program typically spans two years. I believe that wiring is a promising field as it offers good prospects for success. While I had planned to commence the course in July, insufficient funds hindered my entry. Consequently, I am determined to continue working hard and saving towards my college aspirations, which I firmly believe will materialize. Currently, I am raising five goats and some chickens, which I diligently care for. Given the rapid multiplication of goats, I intend to sell some to generate additional funds for my tuition fees. I am confident that excelling in this course will not only uplift my prospects but also alleviate my family from poverty. Therefore, I remain optimistic about achieving my goals. I am sincerely grateful to GiveDirectly for their financial support, as without it, I would not have made it to where I am today."

"For a long time, I have been battling stomach ulcers and have always been on medication. However, this has been challenging as I am elderly and jobless, leading to constant pain. With the support of GiveDirectly, I can now experience some relief from the monthly cash transfers, which I have been using to attend clinics and seek medication, spending at least $10 for these needs. While my condition has not yet completely healed, I am thankful for the improvements. Additionally, I bought two goats and three chickens for a total of $59, which I am now rearing. I acquired this livestock so that in the future if I find myself in need, I can sell one or two to help with my health issues, especially if this program ends. Furthermore, I paid $5 in school fees for my grandchild, who was about to be sent home due to arrears. Since the parent did not have the necessary cash, I stepped in to ensure he could continue his education. With the remaining $17, I bought food to sustain me for a while, as I need frequent meals to stay healthy while on medication."

"I am a mother of six, and since my husband and I are very old, we depend on our son, who works as a waiter at a cafeteria. With the last three transfers totaling $102, I spent $28 on medication after falling sick. I am happy to say that I am now feeling much better. My health is important, especially as I grow older, so I knew this had to be my priority. Besides that, I used $24 on food to ensure my family did not go hungry. It was a relief to know we had enough to eat without worrying about the next meal. Once our immediate needs were met, I thought about how to invest the remaining money to secure our future. I bought a goat for $40, adding to the one I already had, and also purchased three chickens for $10, bringing my total number of chickens to six. I believe these livestock will multiply over time, giving us a source of income and food in the future. This investment brings me peace of mind, knowing that as we grow older, we will have something to rely on when times are tough. The transfers have made a big difference in our lives, and I am grateful for the support that has allowed us to improve our situation step by step."

"I am a mother of one, and while my husband takes on casual jobs to provide for our family, I work at a grocery store. With the recent three transfers amounting to $102, I carefully planned how to meet the needs of my family. First, I spent $6 to buy a new school uniform for my daughter because the one she had was worn out. It was important to me that she felt comfortable and confident in school. I also decided to grow my livestock, so I used $50 to buy two goats, adding to the four I already owned. In addition, I purchased three chickens for $9, bringing my poultry count to fourteen. This investment will help us generate extra income and provide food for our family in the future. In August, I fell sick and had to spend $15 on medication to regain my health. After that, I used the remaining $22 to cover other essential needs. I bought food for $17 to ensure my family had enough to eat and set aside $5 for my daughter's school fees. Even though she's in lower primary, her education is a top priority for us, and I want to make sure she stays in school. These transfers have allowed us to grow our assets, take care of our health, and provide for our family's daily needs."

"I have always dreamt of owning a thriving herd of cows and goats. Thanks to the transfers I've received from GiveDirectly, I have been able to take steps towards realizing this goal. I have been using the funds to purchase goats, and my plan is to continue investing in these animals. I am committed to using future transfers to add more goats to my herd. Additionally, I have been spending money on necessary medicines to keep my existing goats and chickens healthy. By maintaining the health of my livestock, I am setting them up for optimal growth and productivity. My long-term plan is for the goats to multiply and increase in number and value. Once I have a substantial herd, I intend to trade the goats for bulls that I can use to plow my farm. Having these strong bulls will greatly improve the efficiency of my farming operations. As the bulls grow, I plan to trade them for smaller cows, both male and female. I am hopeful that these cows will also multiply and grow in number. When the cows mature, I intend to sell some of them and use the proceeds to build a spacious three-room house for my family. Currently, we live in a small one-room house, and I dream of providing my family with a more comfortable living space. I am excited about the opportunities that GiveDirectly has provided and look forward to a future filled with success. By investing in livestock and using the proceeds wisely, I am confident that I can achieve my goals and create a better life for my family."