"Even though I am unsure when the rains will begin, I hope to expand my farming operations and increase food production for my three-person family. Food prices continue to rise as a result of the devastating droughts, and with limited sources of income, it has been difficult to eat all three meals a day. I hope to expand the plantation's land and ensure adequate food production and surplus for sale."

"When I was promised money from GiveDirectly, I knew I would prioritize paying school fees for my children because it was the most pressing need at the time. This is because I have eight children, one of whom is in college, two in high school, and the remainder in primary school. Paying their school fees has been difficult due to the volatile market prices where I specialize in the animal trade and my wife sells vegetables. So, after receiving my second transfer, I paid $300 in school fees and then purchased a dairy cow to reduce the cost of buying milk. I used to own a cow, However, I was forced to sell it to pay for my children's school fees. I am overjoyed and satisfied with what I have accomplished in such a short period."

"For now I will not say much because I am not really sure if its true this money will come. Its like a dream not until the dream comes true .However if I get the cash transfer, I will make sure I buy something that will bring a daily income for the family, something like a cow will do us well because we shall be selling the milk. I will also buy some pigs because it is a sure deal after 6 months you sell and get money or they multiply. Since the prices keep changing everyday I can not guarantee how much the animals will cost for me to get them.Thank you."

"I am currently working as a butcher who is paid based on commission. Life is really difficult because the prices of all commodities are so high and affording to live a good and decent life is becoming so impossible. I am planning to really save enough so that I can easily open my own shop where I will be buying shoes in bulk and selling it at wholesale price in order to attract a lot of customers. As at now, I have no wife and any child to take care of so it will be so easy for me to work tirelessly and make sure I save enough."

"When I receive the cash transfer, I will sit down with my husband and plan for it accordingly because for now we are not sure if we shall get that transfer, it actually a dream to us. However I may buy a cow so that my children can be taking milk, I will also pay school for the whole year and use the rest of the money to buy land .I am not sure of the prices yet. For now am praying so hard that it comes to reality and I receive the money then we shall see what to do with it."

"I hope and pray that we get enough rain this year so that we can buy food at lower prices because it will be easily accessible from the farms. I would like to use the money from my transfers to fix my house since we will have plenty of food available. My house mud walls and poles are in poor shape, and if I don't take the necessary steps sooner, I worry that the house will collapse. I intend to construct sturdy pillars at each of the house's four corners. This will give the house adequate stability and make it safe for my family to live in."

"My health was declining, and I was having a tough time last month. When I went to the hospital, the doctor informed me that my body needed more blood. I used $10 of my January transfers to purchase iron-rich medications to increase the volume of my blood. In addition, I purchased food to the tune of $24 to support the production of blood in my body and to improve my health, particularly green leafy vegetables, milk, and fruits. I'm grateful for the financial boost the transfer provided me, as it allowed me to pay for medical care. The effects of the drought are the main reason why my job, which involves buying and selling charcoal in the market, is currently on the decline. The absence of grass in the fields makes it difficult for the animals to survive. Being without a job makes it difficult to survive because we must pay exorbitant prices for all of our household's food and beverages."

"Food insecurity is my biggest problem. This is because of the high prices of maize at the market. We rely on casual labor to make money and sometimes my husband makes charcoal. The money earned from that is not enough to cater for all our needs that's why we end up starving."

"Receiving this money means that first we will build a new and better house, burnt brick, with 4 rooms and iron sheets for the roof. We have always wanted to do this so in the quest to alleviate our poverty levels we believe a better sleeping space is key to that good life that we only dream of. Depending on what's left after building that house, we'd go on and buy 3 bags of maize for food. We are unsure of the current market prices so it's abit impossible for us to name the prices on these purchases now. These projects we plan on implementing as soon as we receive the cash transfers from GD. The purchases would be made at Balaka township."

"I plan on building a boysquarter for visitors. This house is not enough to accommodate all of us, when i receive visitors, so I intend on building an extra housing structure to curb that challenge. This will be iron roofed and cemented and will probably cost alot, unfortunately I am unaware of the current market prices for items. Thereafter, I plan on buying 10 bags of maize for food hoping that these sustain us until the harvesting season in April this year."