"My wife and myself will start a business in the community" (Occupation: Small business)

"I'm currently burning coal to survive and when i get my transfer, I will extend the business by building my own warehouse."

"As an old couple, we usually rely on the children and grandchildren to assist us in situations which we cannot manage. My wife still prepares meals and goes to the garden when she has energy at times during farming season. The little maize we harvested last season came to an end a month ago. We harvested little due to our fields being washed away by floods as they are near the river. The only way to earn money is now by selling fish remains which are usually given to me by my son 2hi is a fisherman. I sell these remains for at least MWK1000 and we use that for a day even though it's never enough. We still face many challenges such as poor sleeping place, very few clothes to wear and even a better house. I believe this money will improve our standards of living as we will make sure to buy most of these basic needs we lack. More especially the house, I still desire to have an iron roofed house which will lessen the work of always looking for grass to thatch the house. I will also buy mattress and a good bed to rest on. All our married lives, we have never slept on a good bed nor mattress, I still desire to experience that even in my old age." (Occupation: Small business)

"In a village like this, there are always many problems we face everyday. Most of them, we have gotten used to as there are no other options for us. The main problem we face is hunger which comes due to lack of good opportunities to earn money. My husband travels to the lake most days to find some labour and I also do a small business of selling roasted maize. On a good day, we can make a combined income of 30 thousand (Malawi Kwacha) which is used for at least one week. The other problems mainly are lack of proper clothes, lack of utensils for food preparation and a good sleeping place. We still desire to have a good house but our finances are not adequate to save some. I am very happy to be included in this project so that I may receive money in the end. I have never experienced something like this hence I will make sure to use the money to the best of my abilities with my husband. We will make sure to have a better house and find a good business to invest in. The house always leaks during rainy season and with a large family, there are always problems with moving the items from one corner of the house to another. Since the kids lack better clothes, we shall also make sure they are properly covered in the coming rainy season."

"I had acquired a piece of land for farming through the little savings from my saloon business. However, my business was not doing well, and was not able to clear the outstanding amount on time. My spouse lost his job at a time I was in dire need to complete the payment. I was not at peace from the frustrations and threats of being dispossessed since it had taken longer than expected. The fact that I managed to clear the debt of KES 35000 makes the biggest difference in my daily life. I am at peace now since this debt, threats and the frustrations I suffered are now over. I am now happy to own this land which I am planning to practice and expand my farming. The initial farm was only one acre and I could harvest just a handful of bags of maize which was relatively little as compared to my family of six. Currently, I am glad that I can even harvest more than 10 bags since the farm is very productive and large. This will ensure food security in my household. I am grateful to GiveDirectly because it would have taken a long time to pay back If I was to pay with my own finances."

"" We are facing many challenges because sometimes financial and food problems are our challenge. I want my children to be educated but it is difficult yet due to money business. Bland I am, we have to burn coal to survive." I was not born bland, it was 1990 I came across my eyes problem and I have chosen to accept the condition and live by it."

""As you can see, some parts of my house is now falling apart due to the many leakages, so if I'm successful for Give Directly cash transfer program, I will used some of the money to recondition my house and also use some of the money to start up a business for my family and myself; because I believe from the business, l will be able to provide more food in my home.""

"I have 7 children and all of them are still young and they depend on me to provide food for them which a big a challenge for me as i do not have a job or any business which can provide me with money. Their father left me for another woman last year and i struggle so much to feed these children"

"The biggest hardship is hunger,i struggle to feed my family because i don't make enough money ,i don't have an occupation yet all i do are piece jobs and i plan to invest my second transfer in a permanent business."

"The biggest hardship i always face is shelter,my glass fatched house really gives me hard time during rain season and i would love to build a new house with ironsheet, secondly its hunger,i relay on making clay balls that are used by fishermen at the lake and i get far from enough to actually feed all my 5 children,i would love to start a reliable business though I'm not sure yet to which business i will start,but please receive my gratitude for I'm super excited for this programme." (Occupation: Small business)