"I work as a casual laborer, along with my two wives, making a living off of selling charcoal and tending to the farms of others. The severe effects of the drought make it extremely challenging to find these temporary jobs. Due to the lack of rain, I am no longer required to work on the farm. The meager amount of earnings my wives make from charcoal sales cannot support the needs of the entire family. My financial situation was very bad at the beginning of last month, so I was forced to purchase $12 worth of food on credit. I took $12 out of my December transfers right away to pay off the debt. For my son, who was taking his final primary exams at Mnazimwenga Primary School, I paid $5 in unpaid school fees. In the end, I used the money that was left over to buy food and a chicken that my family and I shared during the holiday season. Like the other families in our neighborhood, I am happy that my family members, including my children, were content that they had a good meal."

"My small income from casual labor and construction was never enough for my family of six children, which required a lot every day. Paying school fees and providing adequate daily bread from an unreliable wage had always been a challenge, leaving me sleepless at times. I was grateful when GiveDirectly gave me a boost throughout the entire transfer, which resulted in an immediate transformation in my household. With the second transfer, I was able to pay the $300 school fees arrears for my children. It was a relief for me and a source of great joy for them because they can now attend all classes alongside other students. To add to my livestock herd, I bought two goats for $100 and ten chickens for $50 which I have been rearing at home which I sell to get income. The remaining $100 I spent on foodstuffs for my family."

"Our household's main source of income has been surplus produce from subsistence farming. The proceeds from selling excess produce from our farm cover a portion of my four children's school fees as well as other household expenses. GiveDirectly transfers have always come in handy and cushioned us whenever we have low harvest. I am currently saving $10 monthly in an informal savings group with nine other members, which I hope to use to establish livestock farming in the coming year. I hope to buy goats and chickens, and after breeding them, I plan to sell the offspring and use the proceeds to pay my children's school fees, clothes, and other necessities for my family of seven."

"Using the transfers I have previously received from Givedirectly, I began a relatively small poultry project with 16 chickens. By the end of the year, I want to have at least 100 chickens, and I want to use the transfers to help me reach that goal. I am aware that this is no easy task because I have to balance using the transfer I received to pay for food and other household necessities for my family of ten while still setting aside money for this project. Having a good number of chickens will mean better returns from the sale of eggs and meat. If all goes well, I'll buy a couple goats to raise while I figure out how to take my eldest daughter, who recently completed her secondary school, to college."

"My lack of a steady salary has made it difficult for me to raise the tuition for my four primary school-age children, who are currently enrolled in school. I buy and sell cattle in the neighborhood market, but I do so on a tiny scale, so my family of six can barely get by on the meager revenues from it. I have spent $30 of the transfers over the last three months on my kids' tuition. In addition, I spent $46 on food for the family and purchased three chickens worth $22 for upbringing. I'm happy to say that the money has been really helpful in easing our financial difficulties."

"When I started receiving cash transfers, I began a project of rearing poultry as an investment. As of now, the flock has around 30 chickens, which requires a larger shed than the space I set aside to occupy the birds in my corridor. Were it not for financial obligations like providing food and school fees for my children, I would have built the shelter before buying the chickens. Gratefully, all is not lost as I hope to use the upcoming cash transfers to construct the shed for my poultry. I hope it is accomplished by December."

"I had been purchasing construction materials with the monthly transfers I receive from GiveDirectly in order to use them in the construction of a new house to replace the old one we are currently living in. So far, I have purchased 16 iron sheets out of a total of 20, and I still need to purchase building poles in the coming months. After finishing the construction, I hope to start a chicken buying and selling business in the coming year. I plan to collect chickens from the local community and sell them at a profit in the nearby markets. With the proceeds from this venture, I hope to expand the business and ensure its long-term viability even after the GiveDirectly program expires."

"I intend to venture into rearing chicken most preferably the layers breed. I will be able to sell the eggs both wholesale and retail in the nearby market. This will be an additional income to the family thus our basic needs will be met with much ease."

"I am a father to four lovely children and it’s always every parent’s dream to see their children doing well in life because this brings so much happiness to them. When I received my second transfer, I bought a sewing machine worth $180 for one of my children who had just graduated from her tailoring course. This made it possible for her to practice and earn from what she had learned in school. She has been supporting my wife and I with our basic needs at home since neither of us is working. Another one of my children was due to report for her secondary education and needed some preparations, thus we did shopping worth $100. I also bought two goats and seven chickens at $170 which we rear at home. I spent the remaining $80 on feeds and supplements that were missing from the food store. My family has benefitted immensely from GiveDirectly's generous cash assistance, which I am grateful for."

"I spent $44 of the last three months' remittances on groceries for my family and $20 on chicken feed. In an effort to use my $30 savings to launch a business, I joined a monthly rotational savings group. I'm delighted I used some of the transfer to pay my child's $4 school fee outstanding, which allowed them to attend school. The cash has significantly increased our family's income. I build houses for a living, but they are unreliable, and sometimes I miss work for weeks, which results in our family skipping meals."