"While I currently lack a stable income, I have ambitious plans for my future, with a strong desire to acquire a customized water pump to extract water from a nearby swamp and irrigate my mango farm. This investment will enable me to expand my mango farm from the existing seven trees to a long-term goal of 30 trees, creating an additional income source. I have been observing and learning from my neighbor, who successfully manages over 50 mango trees and sells the produce in bulk to a buyer who visits the farm with his means of transport to purchase in larger quantities. His success has inspired me. Mango trees are resilient to adverse weather conditions, requiring minimal water to thrive. I aim to make significant investments in this new idea over the next five months. I am excited that there is a new grafted mango breed that matures within two years. During this time, I will begin harvesting and selling the initial fruits. This will greatly support my family as a source of income, sustaining us with food and covering other household expenses."

"When I received my transfers, I spent $450 on house construction, a long-awaited project that I had been dreaming of for a while. Our current living situation was far too cramped for my family of six, and the prospect of having a spacious and comfortable two-room house was both a necessity and a dream come true. Additionally, I spent $68.8 to cover school fees, ensuring that my children's education remained a top priority. The rest of the funds went towards providing food for my family, helping us meet our daily needs. I earn my livelihood through a water vending business, a venture that has supported my family and me. With the changes brought about by the transfers, I could not help but feel an overwhelming sense of excitement and accomplishment. The realization of my dreams, especially in the form of a larger and more comfortable home, had finally become a reality, and it filled me with gratitude and happiness for the promising future ahead."

"The impact of the transfers has been truly transformative for my life and family. With the support I received, I can now earn a living through tailoring, a skill I had acquired but could not practice due to the lack of a sewing machine. This addition not only fulfills my passion but also provides an avenue for generating income to support my family. The convenience of connecting water to my compound has been a game-changer. It means I no longer have to walk long distances to fetch water, and this change has saved both time and physical exertion. Additionally, the money we used to spend on purchasing water can now be directed towards other essential needs, further enhancing our financial stability. Moreover, the construction of a new house has resolved the issue of adequate shelter for my family. My children now have a safe and comfortable place to sleep, improving their living conditions and overall well-being. These transfers have indeed brought about significant positive changes in our lives, and I am grateful for the opportunities they have provided."

"Both my husband and I currently reside in a deteriorated house with a grass thatched roof. When it rains, we are forced to endure the inconvenience of water dripping into our living space due to the numerous openings in the roof. To address this issue, I utilized over $68 from the transfers to purchase building poles and iron sheets, which will be utilized in the construction of a new two-roomed house. I am thrilled to witness the gradual progress towards the realization of our new home. In the near future, we will have the privilege of residing in a larger, more spacious, and sturdier house. Additionally, I made a significant investment in August of this year by purchasing a goat valued at $36. I am delighted to share that the goat recently gave birth, and I am pleased to see the fruitful outcome of my initial investment. The financial support we have received thus far has played a crucial role in enabling my husband and me to attain the dream of owning a decent home. As a casual laborer heavily reliant on subsistence farming, achieving this milestone would have been exceedingly challenging without the monthly transfers. However, thanks to the ongoing financial assistance, the dream of owning a house is gradually becoming a reality for us."

"Since the beginning of this year, my wife and I have dedicated ourselves to working diligently towards the goal of constructing a superior and more comfortable house compared to our current dwelling. Our existing house is constructed with mud walls and covered with grass, which has deteriorated over time. The deteriorating grass roof now has significant gaps, allowing rainwater to seep inside whenever it rains. To address this issue, I have allocated more than $57 from the transfers I receive to purchase iron sheets. As of now, my wife and I have accumulated over 21 sheets, leaving only three more to acquire in order to reach the desired 24 pieces necessary for building a new two-roomed house. Excitingly, I recently provided a down payment of $45 to the skilled mason who will commence the construction process. The realization of my dream to construct a new house is gradually materializing, largely thanks to the monthly transfers that I receive. This financial support has played a pivotal role in enabling me to gather the necessary building materials, making significant progress towards my goal. I am filled with gratitude and enthusiasm as I witness my plans to build a better home begin to unfold. The improved living conditions that a new house will provide are within reach, and I am profoundly appreciative of the ongoing assistance from the transfers."

"In the coming year, I plan to repair the roof of my house. Over time, some of the iron sheets have rusted and developed holes, allowing water to leak in when it rains. I intend to buy at least eight new iron sheets to replace the damaged ones. I am aware that my income from making charcoal won't be sufficient to cover this expense. Therefore, I plan to set aside some funds from future transfers to make this necessary repair. Once the roof is fully repaired, my next goal is to start raising goats as a means of accumulating wealth. Even after the cash transfers end in a few years, I believe that raising goats will continue to grow wealth for me, and I may sell them to support the education of my three children."

"I love my livestock, they are easy to maintain and grow faster. The few goats I have are not enough, hence will use $500 to expand my stock. Currently, one goats retails at $50. These means I can buy at least 10 more goats. It will give me more income in the future to even educate my grandchildren. We also need to set aside some amount for our farm. I plan to buy water pipes to ensure I can be able to irrigate our land continuously without borrowing pipes from neighbors. The remaining $600 will serve that purpose. It will also buy us seeds and pesticides for our farm. The farm will give us food and extra income from sales. Farming gives good profits in our village due to the fertile land."

"Business do well around here, the shops are few and residents are many. It's an opportunity will look to tap in. A good shop need enough stock. We'll spend $600 to build a small structure outside our home. This amount will be enough for the stock also. The profits will help sustain our family for a longer period when we manage it well. Due to the favourable farming environment around here. We plan to spend about $500 to grow water melons under irrigation, on our quarter an acre piece of land. It's very profitable and marketable. If we're lucky we can make upto $800. This is when the market prices are good. We hope to make good money and improve our family fortunes."

"I joined a merry-go-round group where I typically contribute $10 each month with the goal of using the savings to invest in livestock. When it's my turn to receive the money, as we are a group of five members, I plan to use the funds to purchase livestock, particularly goats. At the moment, I only have one goat, and I intend to buy more goats to raise as assets. Additionally, I also spent $30 to cover my children's school fees. I have three children enrolled in primary school, and my primary goal is to ensure they have access to education. I'm pleased that they are attending boarding school, thanks to the monthly transfers. This arrangement makes it easier for my husband and me to pay their fees on time. My husband is engaged in casual work in town, specifically delivering water using a cart, which does not pay well. Receiving the transfers has brought a huge relief to us, and I am happy that my children's education has not been interrupted. I also received the transfer when I was preparing my farm for the planting season. To quicken this process, I spent the remaining amount on hiring a tractor to plow my acreage. I anticipate a bountiful maize harvest, which will enhance food security in my household."

"The period before receiving the transfers from GiveDirectly was marked by anxiety, especially when considering the upcoming rainy season. Our house was in a sorry state, prone to leaks that exposed us to the cold, and during heavy rains, our living space would flood, leaving us with limited room to move around. The situation was so dire that we had to huddle in corners to avoid the water. However, with the assistance from GiveDirectly, we managed to address this pressing issue. I used the funds to change the roofing of our house, bringing relief to my family. Now, my children are celebrating the fact that they no longer have to worry about leaks and flooding. Our living conditions have improved significantly, and we are no longer the subject of ridicule from neighbors or anyone aware of the struggles we were facing. The change in our housing situation has brought about a sense of security and dignity that was not there."