"Before the cash transfers, my family would constantly suffer from hunger because the hustle of making and selling charcoal, which I depended on, could hardly put meals on the table daily. Sometimes, my two daughters, who both worked as housemaids would send me some money to buy food for my three grandchildren and me. This would serve us a few days before we returned to sleeping hungry. This is why my priority was buying foodstuff when I received the transfer. I opted to buy a 90-kg bag of maize, which provided daily meals for at least a month. Next, I spent $160 and $70 on a cow and two goats respectively. Although the prolonged drought has persistently dried up the vegetation in my area, I pray that this livestock survives until they reproduce and grow the herd. Owning the animals is the surest way I could support my needs in the future as I could easily sell them to raise cash. Also, I used $100 to help my son pay for his wife’s dowry. Since they married two years ago, my family has had difficulties in settling the dowry payments, something that has been intriguing our inlaws to take their daughter back. Though it is not fully settled, am happy that the threats stopped after I paid the money. Finally, after my household ran out of the bag of maize, I spent the remaining transfer to continue restocking food. To be honest, my household never missed meals for the entire year. "

"I spent $250 on purchasing a heifer. I have only one dairy cow and sometimes I would buy milk and this is so costly for me since I do not have a continuous source of income. When it reproduces in the next few months I will get enough milk for my family and even sell the surplus to earn an income. I spent some amount on building a better and more spacious house. I lived in a small grass-thatched house that could not host all my family members comfortably. Currently, I have a decent and spacious house I no longer get worried whenever I have visitors at home. The remaining amount of money I spent on food and clothes for my family members. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has changed my living standards."

"I did not complete my primary education and ever since I have been living in my parent's house taking care of the household cattle. I have never been employed and receiving this transfer has enabled me to buy two dairy cows that I sell milk to my neighbors. I sell three liters a day where I make $1.5 and the money is spent on food and saving for my dowry. I plan to marry in 2023 and I have been saving for it."

"Currently, my cow is expected and my short-term goal is to wait until after birth and start milking my cow for commercial purposes. I plan to sell a liter at $0.62 which will help me pay school fees for my children without strain."

"To make ends meet, I fetch water from the stream and sell it in the shopping center; I rely on the little money I make to support my eight children. My husband died a year ago, leaving me as the family's sole breadwinner. Life has been difficult for us because raising school fees for my children has been difficult. My earnings are insufficient to support my family. As a result, I decided to invest $200 in a dairy cow to reduce the cost of purchasing milk. I then used $110 to pay the arrears on my school fees. Finally, I spent the remaining funds on food and clothing. I am so grateful for the financial aid that brought so much happiness to our home."

"The transfers from GiveDirectly were a huge relief to me. This is because I had an operation that damaged my windpipe, and the doctors were forced to insert a pipe to save it. This has forced me to rely on my children and well-wishers because I am incapable of doing anything on my own. I am the mother of six grown-up children. Even though I live with my two grandchildren. I spent $250 on a dairy cow after receiving my transfer. Then afterward used the rest of my medication. I am so grateful for GiveDirectly's assistance that I was able to attend the check-up without having to rely on my children for a short time."

"When I received my second transfer, I considered buying a dairy cow for my family to save money on milk. My husband and I are subsistent farmers, and I also have a small vegetable stand in the shopping center. We have nine children, two of whom are adults. As a result, I shelled out $230 for a dairy cow. Following that, I paid $200 in school fees for my children and spent the remainder on groceries. I am relieved and happy that, unlike in the past, my dream of owning a cow was realized early enough, and I am grateful for the support that has brought so much joy to my family."

"Before the transfer, I had one dairy cow that I used to sell milk and use the money to take care of my family's needs. It was tough to get nappy grass and once in a while, I was buying hay that was expensive to maintain. The profits I get from the milk business were used to take care of my child and wife who is a stay-at-home mother. In addition to the milk business, I have a retail shop that helps out with paying bills. It is located in the village and most of the time the income is little. Receiving GiveDirectly money has enabled me to buy another dairy cow for $300 that I milk and sell, bought cows food with the rest of the money $250. This investment has enabled my cows to produce more milk, which I sell at $0.5 a liter. I get enough money to take care of my family and also stock my shop and I am grateful."

"I currently do not have any stable job. I take care of my 3 goats and I want them to grow big and then I sell it at a later date so that I can easily pay my children's college. I am really looking forward to getting a big land where I will be able to go and harvest my crops and sell it at affordable price. The drought has really affected us but I believe when it does rain everything will fall into place. I also want to get myself a dairy cow where I will milk it and sell the milk to my village members so that I can make some money."

"I hope that one day I will be able to build a decent home for my family. Secondly, I would like to buy a dairy cow so that I can pay my children's school fees. I don't have the money right now, but I am trusting him to find a solution."