"I grow maize, beans, and cowpeas, both for sale and to feed my family. With seven children and four still in school, I struggled to afford fees, food, and clothes on my husband's limited income. I am immensely grateful for this project, as it has allowed me to cover school fees and expand my agricultural activities. Now, I also raise chickens and goats, alongside cultivating my land. I allocated $20 to prepare my land for planting and $14 for purchasing food and clothes for my children during the Christmas festivities. Additionally, $34 went towards settling a pending school fees debt for my children, while the remaining $34 was used to purchase two chickens, soap, and cooking oil, essential items that had run out and needed replenishing. The assistance has brought me great joy since it has truly improved our quality of life and made a difference for me and my family. With our basic needs being met, I feel hopeful about our future and grateful for the positive impact this project has had on our lives."

"In order to ensure the uninterrupted education of my children, I am focused on utilizing the transfers to cover their school fees. During school holidays, when fee payments are not required, I plan to allocate the transfers towards investments in livestock. I admit with some embarrassment that my compound currently lacks any livestock, not even a simple chicken. This leaves me vulnerable, as I lack a fallback option during emergencies and remain entirely reliant on these transfers. To rectify this situation, I am determined to acquire livestock before the year concludes. My initial goal is to procure at least a goat and a few chickens. Allocating $10 towards the purchase of chickens and setting aside approximately $30 for a goat represents a practical starting point towards achieving this objective. By diversifying my assets in this manner, I aim to establish a more resilient financial foundation for myself and my family."

"Receiving my monthly transfers has significantly impacted my ability to manage various household needs and unforeseen expenses. Upon receipt of the transfers, I allocate $10 towards savings within a local group comprising six other GiveDirectly beneficiaries. The remaining funds are then distributed across essential expenditures, including food, clothing, medical expenses, school supplies, and occasional investments, such as purchasing chickens. In November, I utilized a portion of the transfer to acquire two chickens for $10, while allocating $12 towards covering my son's medical expenses. The following month, December, saw me invest $20 in purchasing new clothes for the children. As January approached, the entirety of the $34 transfer was dedicated to procuring essential school items for my son, who was transitioning to junior secondary school. Moreover, the transfers have been instrumental in addressing unexpected emergencies, such as renovating sections of our house damaged by rainfall. By leveraging the transfers, we have been able to procure necessary construction materials, including poles, thereby advancing progress towards completing this renovation project. Overall, the transfers have served as a lifeline for managing our household's financial needs, addressing emergencies, and facilitating investments in the pursuit of long-term stability and prosperity."

"I want to save up enough to start investing in chickens. Currently, I have three chickens, and I believe with a good investment, I can go far. Investing in chickens is really a good idea because they can easily hatch and will make a lot of profit when selling them. The aim of this investment is to make money and save up for my colleagues' school fees. Becoming a contractor is my aspiration, as I believe it will greatly benefit me in the future."

"I am a single mother of one. my life would never have been where it is had it not been for Givedirectly. I used to work as a local hairdresser in the village and I was not making much, I would make about $1 on a good day. My income was not enough to do things for my family. I joined Givedirectly and in turn joined a sacco to save so I could explore alternative income sources. I have been saving $2 a month, in the recent months I have saved $6. I also got to buy some chicken at $15. I paid school fees for my child at $10. I fell ill in February and the transfers helped me seek treatment, I spent $4 on seeking treatment at the hospital."

"Looking ahead, my goal for the year ahead is to start a chicken project within my compound. I plan to allocate $20 monthly from the transfers towards this venture, aiming to generate additional income to support my family. Establishing a stable source of revenue through this project will provide me with peace of mind, knowing that my family's needs will be met consistently. This signifies a step towards greater financial stability and security for my loved ones, and I am committed to its success."

"I serve as a pastor, and alongside my wife, we engage in farming to provide for our family. However, we encountered significant challenges during a prolonged drought, leading to food scarcity and the loss of twenty-five cows. Fortunately, the support from GiveDirectly has been a tremendous blessing, not only to us but also to our entire community. Through this assistance, we have witnessed positive changes, including the emergence of savings clubs and improved access to food and education. Previously, my children faced the constant threat of being sent home from school due to unpaid fees, but now, thanks to these transfers, they can continue their education uninterrupted. I used $58 to clear a school fee debt for my son in secondary school, and another $30 to purchase a goat and two chickens, which I plan to raise and sell later on at a profit. Additionally, I allocated $14 to purchasing cement for renovating the floor of our house, significantly enhancing our living conditions. I am filled with happiness and gratitude for being part of such a remarkable initiative that has uplifted the lives of my people."

"I plan to invest in poultry farming. This investment will provide us with another source of income besides dairy and crop farming. In our village, there's a market every Monday where brokers come to buy chicken. They purchase cocks for $8 each and hens for $4 each. Additionally, I can sell eggs from layers. My strategy involves starting with 20 Indigenous chicks breed, which I estimate will require around $80 capital. Approximately $30 will go towards purchasing the chicks, and use the remaining amount to buy feeds and drugs. Raising indigenous breeds is cost-effective, as they mature in six months. I plan to raise layers for egg production and use local chicken for hatching to increase the production rate. With careful management, I believe this poultry farming will indeed provide us with a steady income to support our family's needs. It's an exciting opportunity to diversify our income sources and improve our financial stability."

"I am a mother of three children. It was around 2:00 pm when I received my transfer from GiveDirectly and went to withdraw it immediately. Last October, I joined a merry-go-round where we contribute $20 each month; with the transfer, I contributed my share to it. With the goal of improving my children's life, I took $10 to pay my children's school fees to avoid them being sent back. The remaining amount of $4 was used to purchase two chickens for investment. I currently have four chickens and plan to buy more in the future to sell and acquire goats."

"I am currently at home taking care of my children. I want to invest more in chickens and sell them. Currently, I have two and will study more on how to take care of them and buy their medication so that they won't die. The more I buy, the more they will hatch, and I will sell them to acquire goats. This will help me in securing my children's future."