"This money will bring relief and a generally improved mood around the house. This is so as we do not have easier ways of making an income. We entirely depend on farming and piece works. Currently, we are relying on cutting grass and selling it within the village and nearest trading centre. On a good day, we go as a family including the children and each bundle of grass sells for MWK700. The proceeds cover the few basic necessities like soap, cooking oil sometimes and food. My children rarely go to school as they have to be helping me and my husband to cut grass and sometimes do other family piece works. In the end, we are usually tired to do other chores since we involve ourselves in tough work. After hearing the news of the funds we are about to receive, I was skeptical as it's a lot of money compared to what we earn as a family. This money will help us to finish the house, buy extra food,clothes for the children so that they can be dressing properly when going to school. I believe everybody will be happy as our bodies are usually tired after working the whole day to earn a little money. During winter, there are constant fights among the kids on who gets the best part of the torn blankets we have. It will be a priority to make sure each child has enough beddings and clothes. It will be a happy family if all this comes true." (Occupation: Small business)

"It's been a five years now since my separation with my husband. Although he is still in the village, he rarely comes to see me and the children as he has another wife and children too. Life became tough for me since I has no skills or any knowledge to do piece work or anything that would bring income. The only way I get to earn money is by walking to a far mountain to seek firewood and sell in town. I usually get around 600 Malawi Kwacha( $0.76) which is used sparingly for some five days. We rarely go to the mountain as it is very far but we go because that's our only option. Now that I have bee enrolled into this program and there is cash on the way, am very excited and happy. Firstly, I will make sure to eat a good meal with my kids on the first day. Then I will plan accordingly so that I use part of the money to fix the house,buy clothes for the children and also buy enough food. The next transfer will go towards starting a business which can be generating some income so that I can sustain myself beyond the program."

"The biggest hardship i always face is being a single mother with 3 children,i wake up to work so that i should find money for food and not starve my children,as of now i relay on a small business in order to survive i sell donuts that doesn't even earn me enough money to support my whole family." (Occupation: Small business)

"The biggest hardship that I have faced in my life is poverty.i lack a lot of things like food and clothing. This is because the casual work or small businesses that I do still cannot be enough to buy all these thinga. It is always hand to mouth." (Occupation: Small business)

"I will firstly use the money to extend my house because i have livestocks that has no place to stay hence we live with them here in the house which is not proper but after extending the livestocks will have their own room." (Occupation: Small business)

"The biggest hardship is hunger, lack of food,a good shelter,and clothes,I'm grateful for getting enrolled in the programme and i plan to buy ironsheet with my first transfer." (Occupation: Small business)

"Receiving this money has meant reducing some of the problems that I have, I have a very small piece of land which I farm maize and I only get enough food." (Occupation: Small business)

"One of the biggest challenges I have faced is finding enough money to buy food and pay for my school fees especially last year I could not balance my finances to pay fees and provide for my family." (Occupation: Small business)

"The biggest hardship that I face is that I do not earn enough money. I depend on selling maize and vegetables to make money. Making money depends on good rains.I suffer a lot in the times that we have bad rains because it means that I will not harvest a lot of farm produce and this means little money fo food and no school fees for my children." (Occupation: Small business)

"Receiving this money will mean development at my household, I will be able to buy better beddings , and finalize my house" (Occupation: Small business)