"I am a father of two, relying on motorbike riding to provide for my family. Since I don’t own my own motorbike and have to rent one, saving money has always been a challenge. When I started receiving monthly transfers, I decided to save towards buying my motorbike, which would help me become more independent and improve my earnings. With my last three transfers amounting to $102, I continued with this goal by saving $88 at K-REP, a financial institution. Owning my own motorbike would mean no more rental fees, allowing me to bring home more for my family. In addition to saving, I used $10 to buy chicken feed for my 25 poultry. This is an important investment because the chickens provide us with an income when sold. I’m working to grow this small poultry business alongside my riding to make life easier for my family. Finally, with the remaining $4, I bought two packets of maize flour to ensure we had food at home. Every bit counts, and while I focus on long-term goals, I also make sure to meet my family’s immediate needs."

"Since my husband is elderly and jobless, I have been left with the burden of taking care of the children, which has been quite challenging as age is also catching up with me. The only business I depend on is the charcoal one, which has become very competitive. Providing for the family has been difficult, especially for my son, who recently joined secondary school. His school journey has been tough, as he has often been out of class due to arrears. Therefore, I paid $20 from the recent transfer so that he could stay in school, and I feel that he is now inspired to perform well. In addition, I bought two chickens worth $14, which I believe will increase in number. In the future, I plan to sell some and use the money to handle any emergencies that may arise. Also, my clothes were quite torn, which lowered my self-esteem, so I used $11 from the transfer to buy a few pieces of clothing. I feel good now and more content. Finally, on the day I received the cash, I was quite unwell and decided to use $9 to visit the hospital and get medication. I am glad that I am now faring better and able to face the days ahead. I also used $50 to purchase sufficient food for the household, as we are facing a prolonged drought and there was a need to stock up on food."

"I am a mother of one and a trained teacher, although I haven't been able to find a job yet. I rely on my husband, who works as a primary school teacher, to support our family. With the last three transfers, I knew I had to make smart decisions for our future. First, I saved $60 because I want to apply for my certificates. Some time ago, I lost my primary school academic certificate, which has been a major setback for me in obtaining the TSA number needed to secure employment. By saving this money, I am taking a crucial step towards recovering my documents and securing employment. With the remaining $42, I bought one hen and some chicken feed. Currently, I have ten chickens, some of which have chicks. These chickens have become an important investment for me. They not only provide us with eggs and an income but also offer hope for a better future. Each chick is like a step forward, bringing us closer to financial stability. I am grateful for the transfers, as they have helped me invest wisely while working towards my goal of getting employed."

"My primary objective is to pursue higher education. I finished my Form Four studies in March 2022 at Mlanza Secondary School. I am keen on enrolling in an electrical course due to the attainable entry requirements based on my grades. This program typically spans two years. I believe that wiring is a promising field as it offers good prospects for success. While I had planned to commence the course in July, insufficient funds hindered my entry. Consequently, I am determined to continue working hard and saving towards my college aspirations, which I firmly believe will materialize. Currently, I am raising five goats and some chickens, which I diligently care for. Given the rapid multiplication of goats, I intend to sell some to generate additional funds for my tuition fees. I am confident that excelling in this course will not only uplift my prospects but also alleviate my family from poverty. Therefore, I remain optimistic about achieving my goals. I am sincerely grateful to GiveDirectly for their financial support, as without it, I would not have made it to where I am today."

"For a long time, I have been battling stomach ulcers and have always been on medication. However, this has been challenging as I am elderly and jobless, leading to constant pain. With the support of GiveDirectly, I can now experience some relief from the monthly cash transfers, which I have been using to attend clinics and seek medication, spending at least $10 for these needs. While my condition has not yet completely healed, I am thankful for the improvements. Additionally, I bought two goats and three chickens for a total of $59, which I am now rearing. I acquired this livestock so that in the future if I find myself in need, I can sell one or two to help with my health issues, especially if this program ends. Furthermore, I paid $5 in school fees for my grandchild, who was about to be sent home due to arrears. Since the parent did not have the necessary cash, I stepped in to ensure he could continue his education. With the remaining $17, I bought food to sustain me for a while, as I need frequent meals to stay healthy while on medication."

"I am a mother of six, and since my husband and I are very old, we depend on our son, who works as a waiter at a cafeteria. With the last three transfers totaling $102, I spent $28 on medication after falling sick. I am happy to say that I am now feeling much better. My health is important, especially as I grow older, so I knew this had to be my priority. Besides that, I used $24 on food to ensure my family did not go hungry. It was a relief to know we had enough to eat without worrying about the next meal. Once our immediate needs were met, I thought about how to invest the remaining money to secure our future. I bought a goat for $40, adding to the one I already had, and also purchased three chickens for $10, bringing my total number of chickens to six. I believe these livestock will multiply over time, giving us a source of income and food in the future. This investment brings me peace of mind, knowing that as we grow older, we will have something to rely on when times are tough. The transfers have made a big difference in our lives, and I am grateful for the support that has allowed us to improve our situation step by step."

"I am a mother of one, and while my husband takes on casual jobs to provide for our family, I work at a grocery store. With the recent three transfers amounting to $102, I carefully planned how to meet the needs of my family. First, I spent $6 to buy a new school uniform for my daughter because the one she had was worn out. It was important to me that she felt comfortable and confident in school. I also decided to grow my livestock, so I used $50 to buy two goats, adding to the four I already owned. In addition, I purchased three chickens for $9, bringing my poultry count to fourteen. This investment will help us generate extra income and provide food for our family in the future. In August, I fell sick and had to spend $15 on medication to regain my health. After that, I used the remaining $22 to cover other essential needs. I bought food for $17 to ensure my family had enough to eat and set aside $5 for my daughter's school fees. Even though she's in lower primary, her education is a top priority for us, and I want to make sure she stays in school. These transfers have allowed us to grow our assets, take care of our health, and provide for our family's daily needs."

"I have always dreamt of owning a thriving herd of cows and goats. Thanks to the transfers I've received from GiveDirectly, I have been able to take steps towards realizing this goal. I have been using the funds to purchase goats, and my plan is to continue investing in these animals. I am committed to using future transfers to add more goats to my herd. Additionally, I have been spending money on necessary medicines to keep my existing goats and chickens healthy. By maintaining the health of my livestock, I am setting them up for optimal growth and productivity. My long-term plan is for the goats to multiply and increase in number and value. Once I have a substantial herd, I intend to trade the goats for bulls that I can use to plow my farm. Having these strong bulls will greatly improve the efficiency of my farming operations. As the bulls grow, I plan to trade them for smaller cows, both male and female. I am hopeful that these cows will also multiply and grow in number. When the cows mature, I intend to sell some of them and use the proceeds to build a spacious three-room house for my family. Currently, we live in a small one-room house, and I dream of providing my family with a more comfortable living space. I am excited about the opportunities that GiveDirectly has provided and look forward to a future filled with success. By investing in livestock and using the proceeds wisely, I am confident that I can achieve my goals and create a better life for my family."

"The transfers I receive from GiveDirectly have been incredibly helpful for me and my family, and I can see myself achieving my dreams soon. Currently, I live in a grass house that is on the verge of collapsing, and I have always wanted to build a new home for my family. To work towards this goal, I have been saving a portion of my transfers. Recently, I saved $30 in a merry-go-round group so that once I receive the pooled funds, I can use them to build the house I've always wanted. I was also faced with health issues that required immediate medical attention, and therefore I had to use another $10 for treatment. I thank God that I am now feeling better. Furthermore, our region has been hit hard by drought and famine, forcing me to spend $48 on food to keep my family healthy and fed. I also bought a chicken for $4 with hopes that it will multiply and increase in value, allowing me to eventually trade them for goats as a future resource that I can rely on to support my family by selling them when in need. Lastly, we lost a relative recently, and I had to contribute the remaining $10 towards the funeral expenses to give our loved one a proper send-off. I am truly grateful for the support from GiveDirectly; it gives me hope for a better future."

"My son, who is now in Form 3, had been sent home due to accumulated arrears. Since I didn't have anything in my savings, he had to stay home. Luckily, the same week I received the transfers, I gave him $25 so he could continue his studies. This felt like motivation for him, as I could see from his face when he went back to school. In addition, I bought a goat and two chickens for $38, which I now keep at home. These will serve as my security in case I experience any financial constraints in the future, as I can sell some if needed. I also bought an iron sheet, bringing the total to three so far. My goal is to have more than twenty sheets with the aim of building a new house, as the current one is not in good condition and is on the verge of collapsing. It can no longer accommodate my growing family, so I feel the need to build a new one, and I am hopeful that this will be achieved soon. Finally, with $24, I bought food for my family, which has sustained us for a while. As of now, my husband and I rely on odd jobs, so getting daily bread has been a serious and ongoing challenge in my household."