"My primary means of earning a living has been raising livestock on behalf of others. In the past, providing for my family of nine required a lot of work, but the assistance provided through these transfers has eased some of our financial burdens. Together with my wife, we have comfortably provided for our children's education, thanks to the combined support we receive. Additionally, I have been able to invest in goats, aiming to expand this venture into a sustainable business. Utilizing $34 from the transfers, I purchased a goat, foreseeing its potential to provide quick financial relief in case of an emergency. Another $51 went towards settling outstanding school fees, addressing a debt that needed to be cleared before our children could resume their studies. With the remaining $17, I bought chickens, hoping they would multiply to be sold later on at a profit. I am genuinely grateful that this assistance has eased our financial strain and also enabled us to achieve what once seemed impossible."

"My ultimate goal is to continue my studies, successfully complete my mechanical course, and secure a good job. To achieve this, I plan to utilize the transfers I receive and also the proceeds from selling my goats and chickens. Attaining a stable job will not only enable me to support myself but also provide for my family, bringing a profound sense of fulfillment. Reflecting on how far I've come fills me with pride, and I am genuinely thankful for the support and opportunities provided to me."

"My main source of income comes from buying and selling chickens, and fortunately, this business has been thriving. Meanwhile, my husband works as a tout in Mariakani, tirelessly supporting our family of eight. Our previous situation was incredibly challenging, as we struggled to afford school fees and even basic necessities like food. However, I am grateful that our circumstances have significantly improved. Now, I can comfortably cover my children's school fees, set aside savings, and even invest in goats to further enhance my business. Thanks to the transfers we received, I was able to purchase a goat worth $25 and allocate $9 towards buying essential household items. Additionally, I spent $34 on purchasing books and pens for my children as they were needed in school. The remaining $34 was used to settle a pending school fees for four of my children so that they would continue with their studies. I am genuinely happy to be a beneficiary of this program, as it has truly been a life-changing experience for me."

"My husband and I worked as primary school teachers, but unfortunately, I had to stop because I lacked the required credentials and papers to continue teaching. Life was challenging, especially during a severe drought worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. This left many relying on charcoal sales and livestock, making it tough to earn a living. GiveDirectly's timely assistance became a lifeline for our family of three, providing support during those difficult times. Thanks to the assistance, we managed to sustain ourselves, and now, with ample food from good rains last year, we have even invested in livestock and poultry. During the December festivities, I allocated $34 to purchase clothes and shoes for my son and myself, while setting aside $20 for his future education. Additionally, I invested $14 in acquiring three chickens and a $34 goat, which I plan to raise and eventually sell for profit. This assistance has brought about a positive change in my life, and I'm truly grateful for it."

"I recently began a small business selling cooked food in our village, and it is currently doing well. Previously, I sold vegetables, but I had to stop because it was not profitable. With my husband working as a casual laborer, we faced financial difficulties as he was not making enough to cover our expenses. However, our fortunes changed for the better when GiveDirectly reached our village. Now, I have a thriving business, can afford my child's school fees, and have even invested in chickens and a goat with the help of these transfers. With $20, I bought clothes for my children for the New Year holiday and then spent $10 on buying household essentials like soap, sugar, and oil which had run out and needed replenishing. I then allocated $48 to start and expand my business, gradually increasing its stock and boosting its success. Additionally, $15 went towards my child's kindergarten fees, while $9 was utilized to purchase chickens for rearing. I am genuinely thankful for this assistance, as it has transformed our lives for the better."

"My biggest concern is building a new house. The current house is in poor condition, and it has been damaged over time. The mud walls have weakened, and the iron sheets have corroded, letting in water whenever it rains, making the space damp. I have been saving some funds from the transfers for this purpose, and I hope I will have achieved a substantial amount in a year. I have also started rearing chickens, and I hope they will have grown a bigger flock in one year so that I can sell them to support the house construction."

"Receiving transfers from Givedirectly has changed the way I think. I am an animal herder hired to take care of people's animals. I make about $30 monthly from my work. This usually contributes to the different house needs. I however would like to to buy an additional piece of land for my family so that we can increase the number of fruit trees in our home. I have saved $64 of my recent transfers to a local savings group in the village which I plan to use in purchasing land. I also got at $30 goat which has increased the number of my goats to 12 and two additional chicken which increased them to 15."

"In the month of December, 2023, I started a small poultry project to act as my investment that cost me $10. I started with 6 chickens and currently, four of them have chicks. This is a promising project to me and I am guaranteed of some income in case my husband fails to send me money. Therefore, I consider this project as my source of joy."

"My main goal is to acquire two bulls to enhance our farming operations. Currently, we are utilizing four acres of our family land and the cost of preparing it is high because we have to hire a tractor at $10 per acre. This expense has limited our farming capacity prompting the need to purchase the bulls that will allow us to till a larger portion of our land that is currently unused. Each mid-sized bull costs around $200, so I need $400 for two. From the sales of some chickens from my poultry project last month, I managed to raise enough money for one bull, which I plan to purchase next month. Then, I intend to use the payout from my savings group to buy the second bull. In addition to enhancing our farming endeavors, these bulls will serve as an additional income stream for my family as we intend to offer ploughing services to fellow villagers at a slightly lower fee compared to tractor services. This initiative not only benefits our farming activities but also provides a valuable service to the community, contributing to agricultural sustainability and economic empowerment."

"On receiving the cash transfer, I used $200, to boy some goats and chickens. It feels good knowing I have them, like a little safety net. My kids are still in preschool, so thinking about their future, it's a relief. Then, $80 went into my wife's tailoring classes. She had to quit because of money issues, but now she's back at it. I hope once she's done, she'll be able to work and help support us. With $150, I built a kitchen and a storage shed for our maize. It's a small step towards making things easier. I'm a rider, but the money I make barely covers food. My wife doesn't have a job, so it's all on me. But with these changes, I'm feeling a bit more hopeful about the future."