"Ten members from our family and neighbours came together to form a savings group. Each member contributes $3 every month, and the accumulated money is given to one member of the group. The recipient is then free to utilize the funds for any projects of their choice. As of March this year, I have been consistently saving $3 from my monthly contributions to the group. By the time December arrives and I receive the lump sum of $300, I plan to invest it in purchasing at least two bulls. The timing is crucial since the livestock prices are relatively low during this period. This investment holds significant importance for me, as the bulls will be essential for tilling my land and generating additional income by offering their services for digging on other people's farms. The financial boost I have received from the group has set me on the right path towards a more stable and promising financial future, and for that, I am immensely grateful."

"My spouse and I rely on the irregular and meager income from casual work, such as farming and fetching firewood and water, to make ends meet. With the current economic challenges causing prices to soar, our daily earnings of about $3 are barely sufficient for our basic needs. Often, we find ourselves skipping meals, and this particularly worried me because I have a five-year-old child who needs proper nutrition during this crucial growth stage. Thanks to the transfer, we were able to purchase the essential food items worth $100, bringing a sense of relief that my children would not have to go without food anymore. Additionally, I used $60 of the transfer to partially pay off my two children's tuition arrears. Though there is still a long way to go in clearing the outstanding balance of $500, I am optimistic that the amount I paid will encourage their teacher to allow them to continue attending school until the next transfer arrives. As a ray of hope for the future, I invested $40 in purchasing 10 chicks to start my poultry farming venture. I believe that as they multiply, this endeavor will become a reliable source of income for my family in the long run. I am grateful for the transfer, as it has brought significant positive changes to our lives and given us hope for a better and more secure future."

"Previously, I had rented 1.5 acres of land using the second transfer, and I was eagerly anticipating the third transfer to begin maize farming. Once I received the funds, I immediately allocated $300 to the tilling of the land and purchased essential farm inputs like maize seeds and fertilizers. I utilized the remaining $150 to buy top dressers for the farm and cover the daily irrigation costs. As we are speaking, I am thrilled to report that the maize crop is thriving, and I am optimistic about a successful harvest. I am anticipating around 25 sacks of maize, which will serve as a significant source of food for my family of eight. Considering the high purchase price of maize, having a substantial stock will safeguard me from the impact of rising prices. I firmly believe that this harvest will last until the next harvest comes next year, ensuring food security for my family during that period. This successful venture into maize farming brings hope and stability to our household."

"At 4 pm, the long-awaited transfers finally arrived. I was alone, eagerly anticipating the funds so I could act quickly to address the pressing issue at hand. I had prepared a budget in advance, knowing that time was of the essence. The first thing that came to my mind was food, given the critical situation unfolding due to the devastating drought. The scarcity of food had become a growing concern, and with each passing day, the prices continued to soar, making it even more difficult for people to afford basic necessities."

"In July, a significant portion of my transfers was devoted to purchasing a goat, which amounted to $25. This decision holds great importance to me as it serves both as an investment for the future and as a backup plan in case I require extra funds. The arrival of the rainy season has allowed me to focus on cultivating maize, cereals, and vegetables on my five-acre farm. In the past, during prolonged droughts, I had to resort to selling charcoal to make ends meet. Unfortunately, the income from charcoal sales was insufficient, leading to numerous financial challenges. My husband earns a living as a casual laborer and also sells charcoal, yet even with both our efforts, we sometimes struggle to afford basic necessities like food and school fees for our children. With the remainder of the $9 from my transfers, I purchased food to sustain my family. While we eagerly await the promising maize harvest, having access to funds through the transfers is crucial during this difficult period when food prices are exceptionally high."

"I spent a larger portion of my recent transfers on food for my family, such as maize flour. My children and I were forced to skip meals in order to save money for the next day due to frequent food shortages in my household. I was relying on subsistence farming to ensure food availability, but our farms were no longer productive after a long period of drought. Purchasing food on a daily basis was my only option; however, due to financial constraints, I was unable to do so. Without the money, the current difficult economic situation, which has raised the prices of necessities such as food, would have been unbearable. In addition to food, I spent some of the money on my son's school fees. By paying for him on time, he was able to stay in school and continue his studies comfortably. I am at ease because I have plenty of time to save up enough money and plan for the next term. I also spent $10 on two chickens, which I am currently keeping and have increased their number to ten. I hope to have a poultry project that will provide me with income."

"Over the past few months, our village has experienced a significant increase in rainfall. This prompted me to invest in two Jembes, costing $8 each. The Jembes proved invaluable in assisting me with planting maize on my farm. As a result, I am highly optimistic that I will have an abundant food supply in the upcoming months. This will ultimately eliminate the need to purchase maize flour from the store, where prices are exorbitantly high. To sustain my family's needs, I acquired twelve packets of maize flour for $22, which lasted us nearly two weeks. I am genuinely grateful for these provisions as they ensured that my family and I never went to bed hungry."

"Persistent drought has been a challenge because, for the past three years, I have never harvested from the farm. The lack of sufficient food for my family of seven denies me comfort. At the same time, food prices have gone up making it expensive to afford three meals a day without straining."

"Our biggest challenge now is food. It has not rained for the last 3 years, we harvested almost nothing for that period. This year has been bad, all our crops have withered. This is affecting our ability to feed our family of 4. To sustain our family we depend on our livestock and chicken. Their prices have been low due to their poor health. This can be connected to the elongated drought."

"In June, I used all my transfers to purchase food since I live alone in a small house as a widower. The poor state of the economy has significantly impacted me due to the increased prices of essential food items. Being a peasant farmer, my survival heavily relies on farming. Unfortunately, until last month, we experienced minimal rainfall, which compelled me to buy most of my food from shops at inflated prices. However, I am hopeful for a plentiful harvest in the upcoming months, which would enable me to allocate my monthly transfers towards other income-generating projects. I am sincerely grateful for the monthly transfers as they provided me with sustenance, ensuring I never went to bed hungry."