"In the upcoming year and beyond, my strategic plan revolves around sustainable income and the well-being of my family. I will persist in chicken farming, anticipating future financial relief as they multiply, enabling me to sell them to cover my kids' education expenses. Simultaneously, I intend to engage in small-scale farming, cultivating vegetables in my garden to stay productive. My primary goal is to ensure my children lead comfortable lives and experience a seamless educational journey. By combining poultry and farming activities, I aim to create a stable and fruitful foundation for their future."

"I started preparing for the festivities early to ensure I would not be worried in December. In October I bought a clothe at $4 and some lining material at $5.5 which I would use to make clothes for myself and 3 daughters. I paid the tailor $6 for the girls to their dresses. I got chicken at $5. In November I saved $25 to my savings group and bought shoes for my child at $2, I also bought toiletries at $3 and flour at $4. I saved my entire December transfer to my village savings group."

"I am a single mother of four. All my children are school going with one in secondary three in primary school. Paying there school fees is usually a priority for me. I bought uniform in November for them at $10 and bought them shoes at $8. I also saved $14 of my December transfers to be used in January for school fees. I am also working on increasing the number of animals I own, I bought a goat at $30 October and 3 chicken at $6 in November.. I spent the rest of the money on food, In October $4, in November $10 and $20 in December."

"My mother as I said has been the sole breadwinner since the death of my father. She would buy palm wine from tappers and sell it as a way of making an income. She relied on this fully during this time until we were enrolled to the Givedirectly program. When we got enrolled in the program the burden on her lessened and we were able to chip in financially. I would like to build and income source from the rearing of animals. I now have 2 chicken and 1 goat which is just a start. Using this transfers I hope to add more animals and use them as my source of income as I also look for welding jobs,"

"I am personally very thankful for the transfers we receive from Giveidrectly as it has made going hungry a thing of the past for me and my family. My family would go hungry for days before the transfers but now with the transfers we are assured of buying food and being able to feed the family. I spent $14 in October for food, $19 in November and $19 in December. I also got some clothes at $10 in October and $10 on toiletries. In November I got two chicken at $5 each on chicken to be used during the festivities, I also paid people to help me weed the farm at $5. In December I saved $15 after buying food."

"Receiving these transfers has proven to be a tremendous blessing, as I utilize them to invest in goats, providing a crucial means of earning a living. The collapse of my kerosene-selling business left me without a source of income, making the support from this organization invaluable. I am immensely grateful for the invaluable support extended by this organization, which has played a crucial role in my life. Joining a local savings group has further enhanced my financial goals, allowing me to consolidate funds to acquire more livestock. This positive change has brought about a significant improvement in my life; my compound is now bustling with chickens, and the quality of my goat stocks has seen notable enhancement. In the past, my family experienced food scarcity, leading me to borrow from neighbors, as my children were unemployed and unable to contribute financially. In the spirit of celebrating Christmas festivities, I allocated $48 to purchase food for my family. Additionally, $34 was dedicated to acquiring a goat, and the remaining funds were wisely saved within my local savings club with the intention of starting a goat business. This strategic approach is paving the way for a more stable and sustainable financial future."

"My hearing impairment has presented challenges in my ability to work, leading me to rely on financial support from my children, particularly my dedicated daughter. Before the assistance from GiveDirectly, I engaged in menial jobs for sustenance, but with the coming of this project, I was able to discontinue such work. Through this initiative, I successfully purchased chickens and essential roofing sheets to address the damage caused by heavy rains that led to the collapse of my house. Out of the funds received, $68 was allocated for iron sheets, an additional $20 for building poles, and the remaining amount was used to procure chickens for future rearing. Despite grappling with poor health, I find solace in the accomplishments I have achieved, and I am profoundly grateful for the opportunities given to me through this project."

"Experiencing the struggle of lacking a reliable source of income to support my family was undeniably challenging. Previously, I earned a living by rearing livestock for others to sustain my family of eight. The assistance from GiveDirectly has brought considerable joy as it allowed me to invest in my own goats, and presently, I am rearing eighteen with plans to sell them later for a profit. Allocating $34, I purchased building poles and cement to renovate my house, which had suffered a lot of damage during the heavy rains. Another $34 was spent on acquiring rice, flour, and two chickens, which were enjoyed during the Christmas festivities. I prudently saved the remaining amount for use in the upcoming new year. The positive changes in my life brought about by GiveDirectly fill me with happiness and gratitude, as I feel indebted to the organization for improving my circumstances."

"In the upcoming year, my aspirations are centered around building a sustainable and resilient source of income for myself and my four grandchildren. I have a strategic plan to start with drought-resistant livestock, primarily focusing on chickens and goats. My initial investment will be in acquiring chickens, as they multiply relatively quickly. Once their numbers grow, I plan to sell some of them to generate additional funds. With the proceeds, my goal is to purchase goats, which are known for their resilience to drought conditions. The income generated from selling both chickens and goats will be crucial in meeting my daily expenses and, more importantly, providing for the well-being and needs of my four grandchildren that I live with. This venture is not just a financial strategy but a heartfelt commitment to securing a better future for my family."

"My existing roof is prone to leaks whenever it rains, compelling me at times to seek refuge with neighbors or rearrange my belongings for space. To address this issue, I am planning to set aside a portion of the monthly transfers for the purpose of acquiring ten new iron sheets and renovating the roof. The objective is to establish a stable roof that not only shields me from the impact of rain but also provides a comfortable sleeping space suitable for my advancing age, promoting better health. Upon achieving this renovation, my subsequent goal is to invest in livestock, particularly goats and chickens, and engage in their rearing. This step aims to diversify my assets and create additional sources of sustenance."