"Empowerment surged through me as I resolved to secure my family's financial future. My husband's motorcycle taxi business has carried us thus far, but the weight of our financial responsibilities is becoming overwhelming. I yearn for independence, a desire that has long been my beacon. Over the next year, I will embark on a journey into extensive goat rearing, a venture that promises to provide the financial stability we crave. I will nurture our current flock, allowing it to multiply and creating a safety net for our family in times of need. I envision the peaceful pastures where our goats will thrive, the income they will generate, and the pride in knowing I can contribute to our household's well-being." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"It's been a difficult period for the last 3 years. We've had a long drought cutting across seasons. This has led to severe water shortage. Due to our dependence of irrigation for farming, it's hard harvesting. Most of the time my farm dries due to lack of rains or water to irrigate. This has really affected my ability to establish myself. It has led to low farm productivity and I also grow a small portion of the land. This is because of inadequate water supply." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"I have a family of five members with three being children. The family lives in a one room shade that has a grass roof and it leaks during rain season. It serves both bedroom and kitchen. I do motorcycle business at the trading centre earning approximately $3 per day which caters for food only. My wife is a student at the nearby technical college. She trains as a tailor. I have been struggling paying school fees for her course since she has a fee structure of $240 per year. I will use $550 to build a two room house with iron sheets roof that will be spacious for the family. I will also use $300 to clear the school fees balance for the wife and also have a prepayment. The remaining amount will help me buy the sewing machine for the spouse so that once she is done with her course she can join work immediately." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"Having a family of 8 people can be so challenging especially in terms of food provision. This has been the most difficult duty for me as a parent because I am jobless and I depend on my husband who is a motorbike taxi. His daily income is usually $3 after sorting the bike owner. This amount is very little and it means skipping some meals in a day. The pain of watching my children crying because of hunger is what hurts me most and I have always considered financial crisis as my biggest challenge." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"I can't put into words how I feel about the Givedirectly transfers, but I'll do my best to explain what they mean to me. I'm the oldest of seven kids, and we rely on my dad for money. He does odd jobs, so his income isn't steady. There are days when he doesn't earn anything, and those are the days we might go to bed hungry. That's when things like education become less important.But now, things have changed. Thanks to these transfers, my education is a top priority. I can support myself in school. I can even buy things that will help me continue my education even if the transfers stop. In July, I used $25 of my transfer to make a down payment on a goat. By September, I had paid off the remaining $15, and now I have a goat at home. I got sick around the time I received this money, and I used $15 to get treatment. That's because my two months of transfers were on my phone at the same time. I also bought shoes for my siblings, spending $6 in total. I paid $8 for my school fees and bought some school clothes for $8. I spent $5 on food. In September, I contributed $5 to a fundraiser for a family emergency. I spent $4 to fuel a motorcycle, and I took my mom to some events. I bought a coat for $3 and saved $7, which I haven't used yet."

"Before GiveDirectly's intervention, my household was among the poorest in our community, and we were on the verge of giving up, especially after our motorcycle, which was our main source of daily income, broke down. Providing food for my family became an even greater challenge. However, when GiveDirectly arrived with a free cash transfer, I could not believe it was real until I received and spent the money on what I believed would help my family. I am deeply grateful for the freedom to spend the support as we saw fit, which has brought about a remarkable transformation in our household. I now have 12 goats, managed to repair the old motorcycle, and it is currently working well. I have also started a new business that I hope to expand using the modest profits I am currently making while still providing for my family of three. It is truly encouraging to see an organization like GiveDirectly that empowers individuals to make their own decisions. I sincerely hope this same spirit and support can extend to other needy villages, as it has made an incredible difference in our lives."

"As we have been gathering materials for building a new house for my family of four, our immediate focus is on completing that project. Looking into the coming year and beyond, our goal is to acquire more goats to add to our current herd of 20. This will be beneficial not only for milk production but also for selling offspring to purchase other household essentials as well as paying school fees for our children. Now that we have completed our loan payments, we are eager to begin saving, primarily from my husband's cobbler job and his motorcycle taxi services."

"I work as a motorcycle driver, but sometimes I work all day and earn nothing. To secure a brighter future, I have opened a bank account and started saving. My goal is to invest in my own shop, believing that even a small investment can lead to a better future." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"I mentioned earlier I am now part of a savings groups to which I save $20 monthly. I provide motorcycle rides to earn a living, my wife has no current source of income. I felt that it would be a good Idea for me to save up and start a small general retail shop for my wife to ensure that she also is able to make some money monthly which in turn ensures that our family will not experience lack especially in cases where I am unable to make much." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"I made several significant decisions with the transfers I received from GiveDirectly. First, I knew I needed to improve our living conditions, so I spent $60 on a comfortable mattress and $80 on a sturdy bed. Sleeping on the floor had become uncomfortable, and these purchases brought much-needed relief. Additionally, I decided to invest in my own future and financial independence. I spent $140 on a tailoring machine, considering it a long-term income-generating asset. I already had the skills, and I was eager to start my own tailoring business instead of working for someone else. To get my business up and running, I allocated $90 for materials and supplies. Recognizing the need for better mobility and a source of income for my husband, I decided to purchase a motorcycle. We opted for an installment plan, and I paid a deposit of $130. My husband is licensed to ride it, and we saw it as a means to support each other financially. Education is a priority for us, so I used $30 to pay school fees for my three children who are in primary school. Finally, I set aside $50 for food, ensuring that we had enough to eat while I pursued my goals of financial independence and improved living conditions. These decisions have had a significant impact on our quality of life, and I am grateful for the opportunity to make them with the help of GiveDirectly's transfers."