"Upon receiving my second transfer, I first bought three goats for a total of $205, bringing my herd from four to seven. My main aim is to ensure that as my children grow, I can use these goats to help pay for their school fees and meet other essential needs. Additionally, I am a farmer, and after losing my maize crop to floods, I decided to give farming another try with the help of the transfer. I invested $70 in preparing 1.5 acres of land and purchased capsicum seeds for $20, bean seeds for $60, and black nightshade seeds for $7, along with $80 for planting. To ensure a successful harvest, I spent $28 on irrigation and $20 on pesticides. With the remaining $32, I focused on our immediate needs by buying food items like beans, rice, and condiments, as we were running low. We only had maize left, which had fortunately survived the floods, but it was not enough to sustain us. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for their support."

"I am blessed with three children, and as a single mother, I strive to provide for my family through casual jobs and charcoal production. Additionally, I engage in crop farming, though I face numerous challenges, including droughts and floods that often limit my harvests. With my first transfer, I took a significant step toward securing my family’s future by starting livestock farming; I purchased two goats, which I believe will become a valuable asset. My plan is to buy two more goats with my final transfer because goats thrive in our area, and they will multiply over time, providing me with a sustainable source of income. This income will be crucial in helping me meet my children's needs, especially their school fees, ensuring they have the opportunity for a better future despite the challenges we face."

"Next year, my goal is to use future transfers to help pay school fees, buy more school supplies, and purchase food. I am determined to complete my studies and go on to study teaching in college. Teaching is something I am passionate about, and I am excited to pursue it as a career. This financial support has brought me closer to my dream of becoming a teacher. I am so thankful for the opportunity to continue my education with fewer financial worries."

"When I received the cash transfer, the first thing I did was use $100 to clear my son’s Form 2 school fees arrears. It was a relief because his studies had been interrupted, and now he can focus without the fear of being sent home. I also saw an opportunity to invest, so I bought two sheep for $100. They are easy to maintain, and with time, they will multiply, giving me a sustainable way to grow my income. Next, I used $80 to plough two acres of land and spent $25 on maize seeds, which I have already planted. With the rains coming, I am hopeful for a good harvest that will not only feed my family but also provide surplus for sale. I believe agriculture is key to improving our household’s stability, and I wanted to make sure we didn’t waste this planting season. Finally, I allocated $100 to pay for a piece of land I had previously made a deposit on. Owning land is a long-term goal for me, and I am determined to complete the payment soon. With the remaining amount, I bought essential food items to keep us going. I feel more at ease now, knowing that we are food secure and on the right path toward achieving our goals."

"When I received the cash transfer, the first thing I did was pay $200 in school fees for my two children who are in secondary school. Education is very important to me, and I wanted to make sure they could stay in school without any disruptions. It was a relief to know that, at least for this term, their fees were covered, and they could focus on their studies without worry. With the remaining $250, I invested in ploughing four acres of land and bought maize and bean seeds. It’s planting season, so I knew that putting the money into our land would eventually bring us more returns. Both maize and beans are staple crops here, and I’m hopeful that the harvest will be bountiful and profitable. Now, I’m happy to see that the seeds have germinated and the plants are growing well. Watching those first green shoots come up feels like seeing hope come to life. This cash transfer has truly given me a path forward."

"First, I used $110 to buy watermelon seeds, as it's planting season, and watermelons fetch a good price. I then spent $50 to plough an acre of land to plant these seeds, ensuring the soil was ready for a strong crop. To give my plants the best chance, I invested another $50 in fertilizer and $70 in herbicides and pesticides to protect the melons from pests and diseases. I then set aside $100 to maintain the watermelon farm throughout the season. I know that with proper care and resources, this crop could bring in a solid return, helping me achieve long-term goals. With the remaining money, I paid $30 to cover overdue school fees for my daughter, who's in Form 3, ensuring she can continue her studies without interruption. Lastly, I used the rest of the cash transfer to buy essential food items for the household. This support has given me the stability to focus on farming and my family’s future, and I’m hopeful for a better year ahead."

"I want to make sure we have enough food by planting maize on the two acres of land we own. My husband will go out fishing, and with the money he earns, we'll be able to plough the land and buy seeds for planting. After we harvest, I hope we'll have some extra maize. The plan is to sell the surplus, and with that money, I want to buy ten goats as an investment. I have three children in school, and I know that emergencies can come up. If that happens, I can sell a goat or two to cover any urgent school fees. This way, I feel we'll be more secure, with both food and a backup plan for my children’s education."

"When I received the unconditional cash transfer, I carefully planned how to use it for my family’s needs and future growth. First, I spent $50 on kale seedlings because I had already prepared the farm for planting vegetables. Kale is a good investment since it grows for a long time, and I’ve already started harvesting, which helps us sustain our income. I also bought a bag of maize for $30 to make sure we had enough food to be secure, so we don’t have to worry about our basic needs. I wanted my wife to feel valued and appreciated, so I encouraged her to use $32 from the transfer to buy new clothes. I also used $15 to buy two plastic chairs since we didn’t have proper seating, and we had been sitting on stones for too long. Now, we finally have something comfortable to sit on at home. Additionally, I used $20 to pay school fees for my sister-in-law, who had been sent home because we couldn’t afford it. I also spent $8 on deworming medicine for our goat, which needed urgent care. Finally, I used the remaining money to manage the kale farm, ensuring a healthier yield. This transfer has truly been a blessing, helping us meet immediate needs and invest in things that can improve our lives in the long run."

"I build mud houses and repair bicycles to earn a living, but these jobs provide only a small income, making it difficult to meet all of my family's needs. To improve my financial situation, I decided to invest my transfers from GiveDirectly in livestock. Livestock is a great investment for the future because they multiply, giving me something valuable to sell during emergencies. If my children need school fees, I can sell some of the livestock to cover their education costs. I spent $58 to purchase two goats, bringing my total number of goats to ten. I'm very happy and grateful for the financial support, which has helped me reach this milestone of owning more goats. I also spent $34 to plow my land in preparation for planting, but unfortunately, the rains didn’t come, making it a failed investment. Despite this setback, I'm hopeful that the rains will return soon, and I will be able to plant crops on my farm. I am very grateful for the financial support from Give Directly in ensuring that I own a lot of livestock."

"Both my husband and I work as casual laborers. I earn a living by selling charcoal and firewood, and when the weather permits, I also engage in farming. My husband works as a farm laborer. However, our combined income is quite low, making it difficult to meet all of our family's needs—especially during times like this when the lack of rain means I can't farm. The financial assistance from the transfers has been a huge boost for my family. Recently, I spent $40 to clear school fees arrears for my children, allowing them to sit for their end-of-term exams. I also saved $20 in a savings group, which I plan to use to complete the construction of our two-room house. I used $10 to buy building poles to get closer to starting the house construction. Additionally, I purchased a goat for $15, which I see as a crucial investment for the future. In times of need, I can sell it to raise funds. Lastly, I spent $17 on food, ensuring that we had plenty to eat and never went hungry. I’m incredibly grateful for the financial support, which has allowed me to keep my children in school and provide for their education."