"As a tailor by profession, I struggled to buy equipment like a sewing machine to start my own business. Whenever a customer asked me to repair their clothes, I would depend on the availability of my friends machine to work. This was inconvenient because she would often request her machine back before I could fulfill an order. Every day, it became increasingly difficult to depend on this arrangement. My husband is the primary breadwinner of our family. Besides being a pastor, the little he makes from casual house construction jobs cannot cover anything beyond our basic needs such as food and education for our two children. This is why we decided to invest $230 in a sewing machine. I am now happy to run my business from home and at my own pace. I can earn at least $1 daily, which covers small household expenses without relying solely on my husband's income. Additionally, we decided to invest $150 in purchasing a cow, despite our initial plan to buy goats, as goats were becoming scarce in our area due to high demand. I believe that investing in livestock can accumulate wealth that will support our kids education. We also needed to install a water tap, so I spent $150 on the entire registration and buying materials process. We live quite far from the water pan, which is two hours away, and installing a tap fixes that challenge. Moreover, this investment will generate income from selling water."

"This year, my goal is to sell my goats, combining the proceeds with my transfers to purchase a cow and expand my livestock farming venture. Additionally,after getting the cow, I aim to continue acquiring more goats, hoping they will multiply and provide a steady source of income to support my children's education through their eventual sale. I am hopeful that the cow too will grow and multiply expanding my livestock farming venture. I'm filled with optimism as I embark on this journey, seeing it as a pathway to a brighter future for my family."

"After realizing that buying cows directly from my savings wasn't feasible due to their high cost, I opted for a more gradual approach by investing in goats. My hope is that the goats will breed and multiply, eventually allowing me to trade them for cows or sell some to fund my children's education in the future. Additionally, I plan to use the cows for ploughing and possibly rent them out for ploughing services, providing an extra source of income for my family. This decision fills me with determination and optimism, as I'm determined to find creative ways to secure a better future for my loved ones, despite the challenges."

"My goal in the coming year is to purchase a dairy cow. To achieve this, I plan to buy more goats and, once they multiply and increase in number, sell some to fund the cow purchase. The dairy cow will provide me with a steady income through milk sales, and I can also sell the calves for additional revenue. I am very happy and grateful for the financial support I am receiving, as it will enable me to achieve this goal. My life has significantly improved since I started receiving the financial assistance, and I am optimistic about the future."

"In the coming year and beyond, I hope to achieve something truly significant for my family's future. My dream is to buy a dairy cow with the help of GiveDirectly. This cow will be a source of milk for us, which means we won't have to buy milk anymore, saving us money. Plus, we can sell some of the milk to our neighbors, providing us with a steady income. This investment will not only improve our daily nutrition but also give us financial stability. I believe that having a dairy cow will open up more opportunities for us, like being able to afford better education for my children and improving our home."

"When the rains started, I worried constantly about my house and my son's house, both barely holding up against the harsh weather. So, when I received the cash transfer from GiveDirectly, I knew exactly what to do. I bought building sand and cement for $500 and renovated both houses, making them sturdy and safe. Now, every time I look at our home, I feel a sense of pride and relief, knowing my family is protected from the harsh weather conditions. With the remaining $40, I decided to invest in our future by buying a goat. Adding it to our small herd of four goats and five cows. Each animal represents a step towards a more stable and prosperous life. Thanks to GiveDirectly, not only do we have a secure home, but we also have a growing investment for the future."

"When I received my GiveDirectly cash transfer, my priority was my three children's education. With $60, I paid off their school fee arrears, ensuring they wouldn't be sent home anymore. I wanted to make a lasting investment, so I bought a cow for $130 and a goat for $30. These animals would provide milk and eventually more income. For the first time in years, I also treated myself to some comfort, spending $50 on a mattress and $60 on a nice bed. Finally, I could rest without waking up in pain every morning. I used $16 to renovate our mud-wall house by putting in a cement floor, reducing the lice and termites that plagued us and weakened our house. With the remaining $50, I bought food to support my son, who works as a casual laborer and carries the heavy burden of providing for us. The relief and joy I felt were immense. Thanks to GiveDirectly, our lives have improved, and I can finally see a brighter future for my family."

"I spent a significant portion of my transfers on purchasing food for my family. I live with my daughter and three grandchildren, and we all depend on farming to earn a living. However, the persistent hot and dry weather has made it very challenging to grow and harvest anything from our farms. I spent $33 to buy food, which was enough to ensure our family never went a day without eating. Additionally, I invested $35 in purchasing three ducks and four hens. This is a future investment, as I am optimistic that they will multiply. Once they do, I plan to sell some and use the money to buy a goat, eventually working my way up to purchasing a dairy cow. I also spent $25 to prepare my two-acre land in the hope that the recent light showers will be followed by more rain. If it rains well, I expect to harvest enough maize, which will reduce the amount of money I need to spend on food in the future. After falling ill, I spent $9 on over-the-counter drugs. I am glad to report that my health has improved significantly. The money from the transfers has been a lifeline for my family and me, allowing us to access food consistently, unlike before when we would sometimes go without food for more than two days. Additionally, my three grandchildren are now consistently attending school, thanks to the financial support from the transfers. I am very grateful for this assistance."

"I've invested in chickens with the intention of them multiplying, allowing me to trade them for goats. These goats, in turn, will multiply and be traded for cows, which I plan to utilize for ploughing and hiring out for additional income. This strategy is driven by my desire to secure resources that will support my children's education and other essential needs. Each step in this plan represents a commitment to providing a better future for my family. I am hopeful that through hard work and strategic investments, I can create opportunities for financial stability and prosperity, ensuring that my children's needs are met and their aspirations are supported."

"I recently joined a chama group to save a portion of my monthly $15 transfer because I'm aiming to invest in livestock farming. I've always dreamed of owning cattle, but they're quite costly to acquire. So, my plan is to start by purchasing goats and then, as they multiply, I'll sell their offspring to eventually buy a cow. I'm keen on investing in cows because they provide milk, which I can sell to support my family financially. Additionally, having children in school means there might be unexpected financial challenges like paying fees, but if necessary, I can sell some of the livestock to address those needs."