"This year, and in the years to come, my wish is to continue farming and to open a business, as these are the most viable economic activities in my area. Doing so will help my family and me meet our daily needs more comfortably, especially for food and school fees. I plan to sell the surplus produce from the farm I planted with the last transfer from GiveDirectly. The income generated from this will not only ensure the continuation of my farming activities but also help me open a business. Fulfilling these goals will bring a lot of joy and gratitude to GiveDirectly, where all this started."

"Receiving assistance from GiveDirectly has been a significant blessing for me and my family. With the $130 of the received transfer, I prioritized my son's education. I used it to pay for his first term school fees as he embarked on his journey into junior secondary school. Witnessing him take this step forward academically fills me with immense pride and gratitude toward GiveDirectly for making it possible. Alongside the school fees, I did some shopping for some essential items he required as he joined the school. Investing in the future is crucial, so I allocated $90 to purchase three she-goats. Not only do they provide security for our future, but they also offer an opportunity for additional income through breeding and selling offspring. As a family heavily reliant on charcoal burning and occasional casual jobs, securing our future with these investments brings a sense of stability and hope. Furthermore, I utilized $55 to purchase a sack of maize, ensuring an adequate food supply for my family of seven. This investment in our sustenance ensures that we can focus on other aspects of our lives without worrying about hunger. With the remaining $252, I am currently renovating the walls of our mud-wall house, which were damaged by the ongoing rainfall. Investing in our home's infrastructure enhances our living conditions as well as provides a sense of security and stability for my family's future."

"Using my most recent transfers, I bought school uniforms for my two children at $ 12.50 and saved the remaining $21.50 so that I can use them in paying school fees for them once the school reopens. I settled on this since I knew that I would not have money to use once the schools resume from the holidays. In addition, I decided to buy them school uniforms since they're in pre-unit and they have been going to school while adorned in home clothes. For the previous months, I used $34 to pay school fees for my daughter in secondary school in order to avoid being sent back home which would disrupt her studies. Aside from this, I used $ 34 to repair one side of the wall in our house which had fallen due to heavy rainfall that we were experiencing. I am glad that I was able to attend to this section on time hence preventing any further damage on our house. Using the remaining $34, I bought a goat after topping up some amount as an investment that I can always rely on in case of an emergency. In addition, it will also come in handy when paying school fees for my children as I can easily find market for it."

"I am a member of a merry go round group that I joined with the intention of saving part of my transfer so that once it's my turn, I can use the money to build a house for my children. Due to this, I saved $30 from my transfers by paying my monthly contribution in our merry go round group. In addition, I saved $24 that I am planning to use in paying school fees for my children once the school reopens. Aside from this, I used $24 in buying school uniforms for my children to replace the old ones which were torn and were no longer presentable for anyone to wear them. Using the remaining amount, I bought food to last my family for some time at $ 14 and used the remaining $10 to purchase a plastic seat."

"Although my initial priority was managing school fees, my circumstances shifted dramatically after my house collapsed. This unfortunate event forced my children and me to move into my mother-in-law's house, which is not very spacious, but we are making do with what we have. Consequently, I have revised my plans and now intend to save a portion of my transfers for rebuilding our home. The amount I save each month will depend on various financial demands at that time, but I am committed to setting aside funds regularly. I am optimistic that, with the continued support from Give Directly and my husband's help, I will be able to construct a new house. I am deeply grateful for GiveDirectly's ongoing support, which inspires me to strive harder each day."

"My husband and I face significant challenges in raising enough money to meet our children's basic needs. Securing jobs is difficult, and the pay is often insufficient. Recognizing this, I am committed to using my transfers wisely to increase our income and provide for our children's needs effectively. My goal for the coming year and beyond is to prioritize my children's education and make the most of these transfers before they come to an end. To achieve this, I plan to save a portion of my transfer to purchase a cow. This investment will enable me to raise additional calves over time, providing a steady source of income through milk production. I can sell the milk to cover my children's school fees and buy essential items for my family. Ultimately, I aim to use the profits from this cow business to fund my children's college education, ensuring they have a bright future and the opportunity to achieve their dreams through quality education. I am determined to invest in their education as it is crucial for their success and future prosperity."

"I have a family of seven children, with five currently attending school and the youngest two not yet of school age. My wife and I rely on casual jobs and farming to support our family. When I received my recent transfer, I allocated $34 towards buying seeds, fertilizer, and partly hiring a tractor to assist with tilling the land. This was a priority to ensure we could catch up with the rains and expedite the work. Additionally, I set aside another $34 to save for purchasing building materials, as our current house is on the verge of collapsing, and I aim to construct a new one as soon as possible. Lastly, I used the remaining $34 to pay school fees for my school-going children. This was important to me as I wanted to prevent them from being sent home due to fee balances and ensure they have a conducive environment to study in peace."

"In the coming years, my primary focus will remain on providing education for my nine children. With my eldest currently in Form Two and the rest yet to begin secondary school, I understand that there's still a long journey ahead of us. I firmly believe that education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and the only hope that I hold for a bright future for my family. To ensure the success of this, I plan to prioritize maize farming and maximize its productivity to generate more income from its sales. This involves ensuring that all necessary inputs are available on time and that farming activities are carried out punctually. Additionally, I will continue to rear the two cows, sheep, and six goats that I currently own. By carefully managing their reproduction, I aim to sell the offspring to generate income to cover school fees."

"In the near future, I'm aiming to buy a goat. It might seem small, but if they multiply, I could sell some and handle financial emergencies better. Right now, I rely on a future transfer, but it's tied up with paying school fees for my three kids. It's a tough choice to divert that money to buying goats, but I'm hopeful it'll pay off in the long run."

"I engage in charcoal burning and farming to support my family, although the income is not sufficient to meet all our needs, especially with my four school-going children. To ensure my children are not frequently sent home from school due to fee balances, I allocate my monthly transfers wisely. Upon receiving my recent transfer, I allocated $40 towards farming with the aim of obtaining good yields to support my family, as I sell excess produce to raise funds for my children's school fees. Additionally, I used $13 for food purchases and $21 to buy poles for constructing a new house, as the current one is in poor condition and almost collapsing. I am sincerely grateful to Give Directly for the tremendous support provided to my family."