"I would like to have a long term investment, but what would that look like in a rural setting? My question since I was enrolled into this program. Now that I have straightened my life and set up a small sardines business that helps take care of my daily needs, I now have the freedom to invest my transfers in a long-term project or items that will be of great benefit to my children. After thinking long and hard, I have decided that a cow would be most ideal in this environment, but honestly I may not be discipled enough to save my monthly transfers to a point that am able to afford a cow, so I will be channeling the transfers to something more affordable. Goats. Yes, the $34 I receive monthly can comfortably buy a goat old enough to reproduce within a year of its purchase. So, while I keep purchasing more goats that I can eventually sell to raise enough money to purchase a cow, the heard I already have would be helping in the realization of my goal through reproduction. Managing a single or 2 cows is much easier than managing 10 goats and they also come with other advantages such as large scale milk production that can also be a source of income. This is why it's important to sell the goats once the number is big enough to raise enough money to purchase a cow."

"Given my paralysis in one leg, I am unable to engage in strenuous activities to generate an income. Therefore, livestock rearing remains my primary means of livelihood. My ultimate goal is to revive my livestock trading business, which was adversely affected by the drought. This drought led to the loss of vegetation and the death of some cattle and goats that I owned at that time. I aim to restart this venture as it represents my best opportunity for income generation. To achieve this, I have started by purchasing chickens, with plans to gradually expand to include goats and cows."

"Looking ahead to the coming year and beyond, I have a goal to purchase two more cows to add to the two that I already own. These cows have been helpful in plowing activities during land preparation. In the recently concluded planting season, the two bulls I own significantly increased crop yields not only on my farm but also on the farms of others who hired their services. I aim to buy two more cows and expand my cattle holdings. Additionally, as these cows mature, I can sell them at a higher price. Currently, the price for acquiring one cow stands at $150. Since my household has four cash transfer recipients, including my wife and children, we have all agreed to contribute towards this goal each month. Moreover, with the recent food harvest, we anticipate that our funds will not be as constrained, making this goal more attainable."

"The farming season that we just concluded was made successful by the transfers that helped me in hiring labour and purchasing quality seeds that led to a bumper harvest. Food security that has been a pain for us over the past few years is now a forgotten story as we were able to harvest enough to last us a while. This was made possible by the transfers that enabled me to hire a cow-driven plough to plough my farm on time as tractors are a bit more costly. I was also able to buy the best seeds with better yield and hire labourers to weed my farm in good time. Without the money, I would have managed to cultivate only a small portion of the field which would have resulted into less harvest. During the farming season, we were also experiencing famine as we had not had any substantial harvests over the past 3 years due to failed rains, so basic food items such maize had doubled in price and was also scarce. Part of the transfers helped with the purchase of foodstuff and other basic household requirements I used the most recent transfer to seek medical attention and to clear some debts I had accumulated months back when I had to take a loan to pay the labourers I had hired to work on my farm."

"Receiving this money means financial independence. Currently, I have been employed as a school cook for the past twenty-five years and my retirement is so close. I have been using all the money I earn to raise my children and grandchildren hence I have not saved anything for future use. I plan on using the transfers to purchase a cow and goats since they do very well in this area. Due to the readily available market, it will ensure a consistent flow of income for my household and I will be able to cater to all my basic needs comfortably. I am thankful to Givedirectly for giving me another chance to make my life better than it is now."

"The impact of GiveDirectly's cash transfers on my life has been nothing short of transformational. With the financial assistance I received, I was able to make substantial improvements to my living conditions and invest in my family's future. One of the first things I did was purchase essential furniture. I acquired two beds and a mattress for $130, a significant upgrade from the makeshift sleeping arrangements I had been using. Now, I have a comfortable place to rest, and I can even accommodate visitors with an extra bed. This has greatly improved the quality of life for my family and me. I also invested in creating a more welcoming and comfortable home by buying two chairs for $50. These chairs not only provide seating for guests but also make our living space more inviting and conducive to socializing. Additionally, I recognized the importance of expanding our agricultural activities. I decided to lease a 2-acre piece of land for $350, located a bit farther from home. On this land, I've planted maize and potatoes. This move was strategic because the land at home was limited, and I needed space for my cows to graze. Now, I can diversify our farming efforts, ensuring a more stable source of food and potential income for my family. We are immensely grateful for this assistance, which has made a profound difference in our lives."

"The decision to buy livestock costing $350, including six goats and one cow, was a significant and strategic move for me. Before receiving support from GiveDirectly, I had never had the means to own such animals. However, I saw this as a golden opportunity to invest in a future source of income. I plan to allow these animals to reproduce, gradually increasing their numbers. This not only ensures a consistent supply of milk for my family's consumption but also opens up the possibility of selling surplus milk and livestock to generate additional income. It's a sustainable approach that gives me confidence in my family's financial stability in the years to come. Apart from investing in livestock, I used a portion of the funds to improve my house. I spent $160 to put up iron sheets, which provide better shelter for my family and also prevent exposure to health hazards, and enhance our security. This was a much-needed upgrade, and it has significantly improved our living conditions. Another important aspect is ensuring that my family has enough to eat. I allocated $40 to buy food. Before receiving the transfers, providing for my family of four was a constant struggle. Now, we are much better cushioned against food insecurity, and the relief this brings is immeasurable. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and look forward to a more secure and prosperous future."

"Bought a cow, deposited some money on a piece of land"

"I hope to have sold my cows to get more."

"In the coming years, I am determined to revive a dairy cow project that I once embarked on but unfortunately had to abandon due to the devastating effects of drought, which led to the loss of my cows from hunger. However, with the recent developments, especially having successfully fenced my land, I see a renewed opportunity to reestablish this project. I plan to utilize the land by planting grass and taking measures to preserve it to ensure a stable source of feed for the dairy cow, even during drought seasons. This strategic approach will safeguard the cow's well-being and allow me to benefit from consistent milk production. I aspire to use the proceeds from the milk to provide the best possible education for my child, who is soon to join school."