"I have always dreamed of owning cows for milk production and to help plow my farm. To turn this aspiration into reality, I plan to strategically allocate a portion of my GiveDirectly cash transfers. My first step is to use some of the funds to purchase additional chickens. I will allow these chickens to multiply, increasing their number and value over time. When the flock has grown sufficiently, I intend to trade the chickens for goats. Similarly, I will use transfers to buy more goats, let them multiply, further expanding my livestock holdings. Once I have accumulated a substantial number of goats, I will trade them for cows. Owning cows is crucial to my long-term goals. Not only will I have cows that provide milk to support my family's nutrition and generate income when sold, but also have cows that will help plow my farm. This will greatly improve my agricultural productivity and food security. After acquiring the cows, I plan to save a portion of my future transfers to purchase an ox-drawn plough, which typically costs around $80. This investment will further enhance my ability to cultivate my land efficiently. Achieving this livestock farming dream will be a significant milestone, filling me with immense joy and pride."

"This year, my primary goal is to establish a thriving goat-rearing business. To achieve this, I plan to strategically utilize the GiveDirectly cash transfers to acquire and grow my livestock holdings. I intend to use a portion of the transfers to purchase more chickens and goats. My plan is to allow these animals to multiply and increase in number and value over time. As the chicken flock grows, I will trade them for additional goats. This will allow me to steadily build up a substantial herd of goats, which will serve as the foundation of my livestock farming enterprise. The goats will provide a reliable source of income, as I plan to sell them when needed. This revenue will be used to fund my children's education and support the overall well-being of my family. I am deeply grateful to GiveDirectly for providing me with this transformative opportunity. The cash transfers have empowered me to break the cycle of poverty and create a better future for my family. By prioritizing my children's education and building a sustainable livestock business, I am confident that I can equip them with the tools they need to thrive in the years to come. Through this strategic approach to livestock farming, I am excited about the prospects that lie ahead. The GiveDirectly support has given me the means to turn my aspirations into a reality, paving the way for a more prosperous and secure future for my family."

"At a crucial time when I fell ill, the GiveDirectly cash transfers arrived, enabling me to seek much-needed medical attention. I allocated $34 towards hospital fees, and I am grateful to say that I am now in good health, thanks to the care I received. Recognizing the importance of my children's education, I spent $20 to pay their school fees. This ensures they can continue their studies without interruption, investing in their future. Given the severe drought and hunger affecting our region, our food reserves were depleted. I therefore allocated $24 to purchase food for my family, guaranteeing they would not go hungry during this difficult period. My home also required urgent repairs, as the current roofing was worn out. I used $16 of the transfers to buy iron sheets, ensuring we have a safe and comfortable place to sleep. As a first step towards building a herd of cows, which has long been an aspiration of mine, I bought a chicken for $4. My hope is that the chicken will multiply and increase in number. I then plan to trade the chickens for goats, which will also multiply. Eventually, I will trade the goats for cows. Finally, I spent the remaining $4 to buy soap for cleaning ourselves, maintaining our hygiene and well-being."

"In the past six months, I've grown my flock by adding 4 goats and acquired more chickens and household utensils. This was made possible by selling 5 sacs of maize from my farm. Initially, I harvested 10 sacs, selling 5, using 1 for school fees, and keeping 4 for future food security. I feel immense joy whenever I reflect on these achievements."

"When I receive the transfers, I have a clear plan to rebuild my life. Part of the funds will go towards purchasing chickens, as I lost all of mine to the floods. I also aim to buy two cattle. The remaining funds will cover school fees for my children in primary and secondary school. I believe these investments will significantly improve my life in the years ahead."

"I am currently focused on caring for my five goats, as they represent a crucial part of my future plans. Unfortunately, I lost many chickens to disease previously. My immediate goal is to ensure my goats multiply, providing a stable source of income through sales when needed. Currently, I am in the process of building my dream brick house. Once completed, this accomplishment will pave the way for easier investment in livestock, particularly goats. This strategic approach ensures that after completing my house, I can concentrate on expanding my goat farming without facing unnecessary challenges."

"I produce and sell charcoal. Right now, I own twenty chickens, four goats, two cows, and four sheep. Seeing my business struggle, I took time to think and concluded that investing more in poultry and livestock is the best move. I see it as a smarter choice than holding onto cash, which could easily be spent on ongoing expenses. Animals can easily multiply and I can sell them when I encounter difficulties, providing a more stable finance for my family."

"For the past ten years, I found it challenging to replace my beddings, and I had been using an old mattress that was no longer comfortable. The idea of purchasing a new mattress seemed unattainable due to the cost. However, when I received my first transfer, I decided to invest in a new durable mattress that cost $280, and I believe it will serve me well for years to come. Additionally, I've started a poultry project, breeding over 20 chickens. I've always wanted a reliable source of income, especially to support my two children's education. My plan is to generate enough money from this project to eventually start another business in order to create more income sources."

"Education has always been a priority in my life, driving my decisions and aspirations for my children's future. With the $20 from the cash transfer, I promptly cleared their school arrears, ensuring they could focus on their studies without worry. Witnessing their dedication and improved performance filled me with immense pride and motivation to persevere. Alongside that, I invested $30 in a savings initiative that involves purchasing goats. This initiative not only serves as a financial safety net but also aligns with my long-term goal of ensuring my children's educational aspirations are supported. Goats, with their potential to multiply, will provide a sustainable source of income, enabling me to fund their future endeavors as they progress through their schooling years. In addition to that, I allocated $12 to purchase three chickens, foreseeing them as a valuable asset in times of unforeseen expenses or emergencies. The strategic investment was a step towards securing my family's stability. The remaining $40 was essential for immediate household needs, including food and essential items that had been challenging to afford consistently. Each purchase and decision fueled by the cash transfer aimed at fortifying our resilience and ensuring my children could pursue their educational dreams without financial hindrances."

"My lovely wife have been rearing chicken in our compound as her investment so iam planning to support her business of poultry keeping. This business of poultry is working well in our village and we have a lot of people from different towns coming to buy them. iam planning again to venture into agriculture because I have a large piece of land and water is available for irrigation and also farming is the main livelihood activity i do. For a home to be lively you have to possess livestock's. iam planning to invest some money for livestock keeping, buy food for my family and buy clothes for my children for them to be attractive and beautiful because it has been long time ago since I bought clothes for them"