"My husband serves as a security guard, while I manage our household responsibilities, including tending to goats and various chores. We are fortunate to have one child. With my second transfer of $275, I strategically invested in a dairy cow, ensuring a sustainable supply of milk for our family. Furthermore, I enhanced the living conditions of our home by allocating $34 towards wiring in all the rooms, a valuable improvement. To address financial obligations, I repaid a loan amounting to $20. The well-being of our animals was also a priority, with $8 spent on purchasing animal medicine. In addition, I invested in the future by acquiring Mango seeds for $7. Prioritizing our immediate needs, $30 was spent on purchasing essential food items. Demonstrating foresight, $70 was set aside for savings, reflecting our commitment to long-term financial stability. This strategic allocation of funds represents a thoughtful and holistic approach to improving various aspects of our lives."

"Upon receiving our transfer, my husband and I made a deliberate decision to invest the funds in purchasing a dairy cow. This strategic move serves dual purposes - ensuring a daily supply of milk for our consumption and providing an opportunity to sell surplus milk, thereby enhancing our income. A sum of $200 was spent for this purpose. Additionally, as a hairdresser engaged in charcoal vending as a side hustle, I recognize the importance of boosting my business. Consequently, I dedicated $39 to enhance my hairdressing and charcoal vending enterprises. Recognizing the significance of food security, $88 was utilized to procure essential foodstuffs for our family. The positive impact on our living standards within a short period brings immense happiness, marking a stark contrast to the financial constraints we faced in the past. The transformative effect of this support has created newfound opportunities for us that were previously unattainable."

"In the future I hope to bank in agriculture, and at the forefront of this aspiration is the desire to buy a cow. I believe that owning a cow will not only provide a steady source of fresh milk for the family, contributing to our health and well-being, but also open up avenues for additional income. My plan is to sell the excess milk, tapping into the local market and creating a sustainable source of revenue. By settling into agriculture and incorporating livestock into our homestead, I hope to not only achieve financial stability but also foster a more self-sufficient and fulfilling lifestyle for my family and myself."

"I have a family of five members with three being grandchildren whose mother died some years back. I do subsistence farming together with my husband. I am aged and my granddaughter is the one who helps me get water from the tap but she covers along distance to and from the water tap. It's almost 10km. This is a bother to me and I will one day resolve it. I will use $400 to buy pipes and other required items to have tap water at home. This will be for domestic use and also for business in the community. I intend to make $5 every day from sale of water . I will also use $400 to buy a cow as an investment. I already have one and the two will help me sell milk at the town centres and have a sustainable source of income."

"I work as a watchman at a primary school and am also a farmer. I am married and blessed with one child. When I received my second transfer, I recognized it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and knew I needed to utilize it wisely for my benefit. Consequently, I allocated the funds strategically. I spent $92 on purchasing iron sheets to replace the grass-thatched roof of my current dwelling, aiming to build a more decent house. Additionally, I invested $40 in buying a sack of maize and $8 in cowpeas. The remaining $310 was set aside in savings. I am elated to share that within a short period, I achieved goals that seemed distant before. These changes have positively impacted my life, and I am immensely grateful for the opportunity that allowed me to transform my way of living."

"In my view, GiveDirectly has demonstrated commendable efforts by providing us with unconditional cash transfers. This approach grants us the flexibility to allocate funds based on our diverse needs, and I am genuinely grateful for that. The transfer has been instrumental, empowering me to address crucial areas like seeking necessary medical care and investing in a cow. The significance of purchasing a cow lies in its potential as a source of income through the sale of its offspring, thereby reducing my reliance on my children. I extend my thanks to GiveDirectly for being a force for positive change and empowerment in our lives."

"Amidst my current commitments, my primary focus is on expanding my goat herd, which currently stands at 16. Despite juggling various responsibilities, such as school fees and the completion of a stalled house, I am determined to save from both my robe-making and selling business and charcoal production endeavors. These savings will be directed towards acquiring more goats. I find goat farming particularly advantageous due to the vast available grazing land and the goats' resilience to drought compared to cows. Through the offspring of these goats, I aspire to secure a sustainable source of income to cover future school fees and tuition expenses for my children. This strategic approach to goat farming aligns with my long-term financial goals, ensuring a steady and reliable means of meeting educational expenses."

"In the upcoming year and beyond, my goal is to elevate my sewing skills by acquiring a reliable tailoring machine of my own. Currently, I have been renting one, which proves expensive and limits my profit margins due to the unpredictable availability of customers on certain days. By owning my machine, I aim to establish a tailoring business in the nearby shopping center, making it known to the community that they can consistently rely on my services for repairs and other tailoring needs. Additionally, I plan to invest in a cow to augment the three I already have. The savings accumulated from my tailoring endeavors, after factoring out the costs of renting a machine, will be strategically set aside to achieve these goals. This step not only enhances my sewing business but also opens up opportunities for diversification and sustainable growth in the future."

"I used my recent transfer of $550 wisely, I decided to bring positive change to my family's life. I invested in essential items, I bought two beds and two mattresses which have provided the much needed comfort as my four kids had previously slept on the floor. Additionally, I fulfilled a long time dream by purchasing a cow and two goats. I was also able to address the educational needs, covering school fees for three of my children and enabling my eldest to purse a tailoring course with the purchase of a sewing machine. This has significantly improved their performance considering that they were previously turned away from school due to unpaid school fees. I also ensured there is enough food for the family. Previously, I relied on burning charcoal despite being allergic to dust. This life changing transfer enabled me to have a more sustainable and improved livelihood."

"In my perspective, GiveDirectly has truly excelled in providing generous support through the transfers. The impact on our village has been nothing short of remarkable, with beneficiaries making substantial investments that promise to lift them from the grips of poverty. Personally, I am immensely grateful it allowed me to realize a dream that once felt unattainable—I now own two cows. This ownership of cattle holds profound significance in my life as I am optimistic that these cows will serve as catalysts in enabling me to provide the very best for my daughter. The gratitude I feel towards GiveDirectly is heartfelt, as their support has not only made a tangible difference but has instilled a sense of hope and empowerment for a brighter future. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for being an agent of positive change in our lives."