"When I received the cash transfer, I used $50 to pay my granddaughter’s school fees. She’s in Grade 8, and her mother wouldn’t have been able to cover the fees, so I saw it as my responsibility to help. I also used another $50 to clear the school fees arrears for my daughter, who is in Form Four. Since she’s a candidate preparing for her exams, I didn’t want her to be distracted or sent home due to unpaid fees. Her education is important to me, and I want her to focus fully on her studies. In addition to this, I invested $50 in buying 20 young roosters. They were just a month old at the time, and now, at three months, they’re growing very quickly. They are low-maintenance and mature fast, so I know this will be a profitable venture. I’ve raised roosters before, and the business was successful, but I had to stop due to financial constraints. This time, I’m confident that in six months, I’ll be selling them for $12 each, which will generate a good profit in a short period. Lastly, I used the remaining amount to buy food items for the household. I take care of my grandson, and I don’t always have time to find casual jobs to earn money to cover for food costs. Ensuring we have enough food is crucial, and while I depend on farming to provide for us, the cash transfer allowed me to secure our food needs without worry. It has brought some much-needed stability to our household."

"Now that I have completed my house, my focus now is on securing our future and improving our lives, which I aim for it to be free from the financial struggles we faced before. I envision achieving financial security by establishing a livestock base, particularly goats. To achieve this, I plan to use a portion of my future transfers to purchase goats, hoping they will multiply and increase in number and value so that in the future they can become a valuable asset I can rely on, especially when this program comes to an end. I am truly grateful for the support that GiveDirectly has provided us, and I look forward to a future where I can educate my children and care for my family with the help of the livestock asset base I am planning to create." (Occupation: Small business)

"My goal in the coming year and beyond is to complete my two-year tailoring course successfully. The course will equip me with the necessary skills to run my own tailoring business in the future. With my subsequent transfers, I plan to continue using the money to pay for my tuition fees and accommodation to ensure I complete the course without interruptions. Once I am done with the course, I aim to seek employment in the tailoring field, gain experience, and save a portion of my income to purchase a sewing machine. This will allow me to establish my own tailoring business and work towards financial independence. I am very happy and optimistic about the future, thanks to the financial support from GiveDirectly, which has helped me get closer to achieving my goal."

"On the afternoon of the 14th, while I was busy serving my customers at my small restaurant, I heard a message notification on my phone. I waited until I finished attending to them, then checked what it was about. To my surprise and joy, it was the GiveDirectly transfers! I could not believe it. At that very moment, one of the customers I had been serving also received his share of the transfer, and we shared the moment of happiness. I felt so relieved and excited, knowing that this money would finally help me boost my restaurant business, which had been struggling for a while." (Occupation: Small business)

"The financial support that I have been receiving from GiveDirectly has been constructive in my life, particularly when it comes to taking care of my family's well-being and educational needs. I have seven children in school, and their education is my top priority as it is the key to a better life in the future. My goal for this coming year and beyond is to ensure my children remain in school and continue their studies to completion. To provide my children with a pathway to a better future, I plan to use a portion of the transfers from GiveDirectly along with my earnings from my hustles to fund their education. As the breadwinner of our family, I don't have a stable job that provides a substantial income. Instead, I rely on making and selling charcoal, which yields very little. However, I'm grateful that the small earnings I do make help support my family. I am grateful for the transfers, as they have been helping me a lot to take care of my family because the earnings from the charcoal business alone are not enough."

"I used to work in a food-selling kiosk, and the experience I gained there enabled me to start my own kiosk using transfers I received from GiveDirectly. I was drawn to running a food business because I saw how profitable it could be. Currently, I earn a daily profit of around $15, and I’m genuinely happy with this venture. My goal is to expand my business, and I plan to use a portion of the transfers along with some of my profits for this purpose. Watching my business grow to the point where it can fully support itself and my family is my greatest desire, as I have always longed for financial stability. My children and I still live with my mother, and I have always dreamed of having our own home. To make this dream a reality, I've been saving part of my transfers and some of my business profits in our local savings group. Once the funds mature, I intend to combine them with the building materials I have already purchased to start constructing our house. This home will provide me and my children with a sense of belonging. I am truly grateful for the transfers, as they have allowed me to establish a business and will ultimately help me provide a home for my children."

"Moving forward, my primary goal is to keep my children in school and ensure they continue learning without any obstacles. To achieve this, I plan to use part of my future transfers to cover their school fees. Additionally, I want to continue expanding my business by investing in more stock, which will help increase my income. I have also joined a savings group, where I contribute a portion of my earnings every month. Through this group, I hope to build up enough savings to qualify for a loan, which I can then use to further grow my business. I am truly appreciative of the financial support that has empowered me to pursue these goals and create a brighter future for my family."

"Without a stable source of income, it’s been a constant struggle for my husband and me to provide for our family. This situation has motivated me to start a small grocery business, which I believe will offer a more reliable source of income and help us meet our family’s needs. To achieve this goal, I plan to set aside a small amount from each transfer until I have enough capital to launch the business. Once I start, I hope to attract a steady stream of customers and generate a sustainable income. I am truly appreciative of the financial assistance, which has empowered me to work toward a brighter future for my family." (Occupation: Small business)

"I am confident that with consistent hard work, I can transform my life for the better. I am determined to break free from my current circumstances and strive towards a brighter future. My plan is to begin by investing in livestock, starting with chickens and then gradually expanding to goats and eventually cows. By selling the chickens once they've multiplied to a good number, I aim to acquire goats, which will then provide a foundation for obtaining cows. These animals will not only multiply but also provide valuable resources such as milk, and the bulls that I will acquire can be used for farming. Additionally, I have started buying and selling dried fish to further increase my income. Each step of this journey is fueled by my desire to enhance our living standards and build a sustainable future for myself and my family. While I acknowledge that goats can be expensive, I am dedicated to finding a way to make this plan a reality." (Occupation: Small business)

"I currently reside in a two-room house and I am diligently saving within a merry-go-round scheme to purchase new metal sheets. The current ones are old and prone to leaks during heavy rain. My main priority is to create a comfortable home for my family. My husband's job does not bring in sufficient income, and I am dedicated to working hard to ensure that we are able to meet our basic needs without much struggle. Renovating this house would bring me great happiness as its current condition is not ideal, and I feel ashamed when we have visitors. Therefore, I am optimistic that through these savings, I will be able to achieve my dream of improving our living conditions." (Occupation: Small business)