"We are crop farmers, and early this year, when the rains came, we didn’t have enough money for planting. We borrowed $400, hoping to get a good harvest from our acre of maize. Unfortunately, heavy floods destroyed all our crops, leaving us in debt. We managed to pay back $300 of the loan, leaving a balance of $100. When I received my first cash transfer, I immediately decided to clear the remaining debt. Additionally, my husband and I wanted to make an investment that would serve as both a reminder of GiveDirectly's help and a way to secure our future. So, we bought two goats with the remaining amount. These goats will supply us with milk, and as they multiply, we will sell, especially the males, and use the money to address arising needs. This way, we are building a sustainable source of income for the future. Thank you, GiveDirectly."

"I am planning to renovate my house's roof by replacing the old, damaged iron sheets with new ones. The existing roof leaks during rain, which has compromised the walls of the house. To solve this problem, my top priority is to buy new iron sheets. I've been saving money and have already purchased fifteen sheets so far. I aim to acquire about 20 to 28 sheets since my house is quite large, although I have yet to consult a builder for a precise estimate. I am satisfied with my progress and confident that I will achieve my goal soon. My primary aim is to create a stable and secure house where I can live peacefully with my four children, without the constant concern of leaks when it rains. After completing this project, I plan to venture into livestock keeping, specifically by purchasing goats. I will redirect my transfer funds to buy goats so that I can establish a financial investment to support my family in the future when these transfers come to an end."

"As an elderly woman unable to work due to my age, I rely heavily on my son, who raises livestock. Unfortunately, his income from this work is limited, making it difficult for him to meet both his needs and mine. Thanks to the financial support from Give Directly, I am able to take care of myself without placing too much burden on him. I spent $57 on food, ensuring that I had enough to eat without missing any meals. I also invested in a goat for $35 and bought eight chicks for $10. These purchases are part of my long-term plan. I intend to sell the chicks once they mature, while the goat will serve as a backup resource for any future emergencies. With this addition, I now have four goats, all bought with the transfer funds, and I am hopeful they will multiply to grow my initial investment. I am very grateful for this financial support, which has helped me achieve a more stable and comfortable life."

"My goal for the coming year is to expand my livestock. By investing in more animals, I can eventually generate income from selling them, helping to provide for both myself and my family. To make this happen, I plan to save part of each transfer, and once I’ve set aside enough, I’ll buy another goat. This steady approach will allow my herd to grow gradually. I’m genuinely thankful for the financial support that is helping me achieve this goal and ensuring both my own and my family’s well-being."

"As I considered my options for investing the funds from these transfers, I decided to focus on an income-generating venture. I ultimately chose goat rearing and am pleased to have acquired nine goats so far. I believe that investing in goats is a wise strategy due to their ability to multiply quickly. This allows me to either sell them or trade them for dairy cows, which is my long-term goal. Once my goat population grows sufficiently, I aim to exchange some of them for a dairy cow. Having a dairy cow would be advantageous as it would provide me with milk to sell, generating additional income to support my family. I am confident that expanding into dairy farming will greatly enhance my family’s well-being and help secure a better future for us."

"In the upcoming year and beyond, I have plans to allocate a portion of my transfers from GiveDirectly towards livestock rearing, with a focus on goats. As our transfers are about to conclude, I want to invest in an income-generating project, which is why I considered a goat rearing venture. To make this a reality, I am currently saving $20 each month for the investment. I chose goats because they breed quickly and there is ready market for them. I believe that in a few years, once the project is successful, I will be able to sell some of the goats to fund my child's school fees while also covering my family’s basic needs."

"I have set a new goal: to buy more goats and raise them at home to support my family, especially my children's education. It's always a struggle to ensure they can attend school because I lack enough livestock to sell, which would help me easily afford their schooling. Therefore, I plan to use part of my earnings from casual jobs and save about $10 from transfers each month to buy a significant number of goats and build a large herd. I believe this is the best way to secure my family's future, especially when this program comes to an end. Additionally, having a herd will provide me with financial security; if one of my children is sent home for unpaid fees, I can sell a goat to send them back to school."

"Now that I feel my health improving day by day, I’ve set a new goal: to buy goats and keep them in my compound. Currently, I don’t have any goats because I’ve been facing some hardships and rely on my sons for support. To achieve this goal, I plan to set aside a small amount from my transfers within my savings group each month. In a few months, I will be able to buy one or two goats. I’m confident they will thrive here at home, as there is plenty of pasture available. Once I succeed, I’ll have something to fall back on, especially for emergencies, particularly those related to health. This way, I can sell a few goats if needed and easily cover my expenses."

"For years, I have struggled with issues related to my waist that prevent me from standing on my own, forcing me to rely on my wife for help with daily tasks. When I received the cash transfer, I used about $20 for my monthly medication. This allowed me to purchase medicine that has improved my ability to move around, although I haven't fully healed yet. Thankfully, I am no longer in as much pain as I was before. Understanding that this program will eventually end, I decided to buy a goat for $46, which I am now keeping at home. My hope is to raise more goats over time, providing me with a sense of security and support when the program concludes. For the first time, I have assets at home that serve as security, something I never had before. Additionally, with $36, I bought enough food to last us for a while, as we currently have no other source of support due to the drought, which has left our farms unproductive. I am incredibly grateful to this organization; I can hardly imagine how my life would have been without their support."

"I have established a small animal farm, where I currently raise chickens, sheep, and goats. Unfortunately, while my poultry project was thriving, an outbreak occurred that wiped out almost all of my chickens, leaving only two survivors. At present, I have 5 goats and 3 sheep as part of my livestock project. Both my goats and chickens have had offspring. My plan is to prepare for the future as I have a two-year-old child who has not yet started school. I anticipate needing funds when she does, so I aim to build a larger herd that will allow me to sell animals to ensure she can enroll in school and complete her education, even after the Givediretly program ends. Therefore, in the coming year and beyond, I intend to use my transfers to invest in livestock, focusing on goat and sheep farming alongside poultry operations."