"My plan after completing high school is to pursue a college education. Unfortunately, my mother can't cover my tuition fees alone, so I'm considering poultry farming as an investment. I started with a few chickens, but there was an outbreak that killed all five of them. Initially, I planned to invest in chickens and then exchange them for goats, but after this setback, I've decided to save part of my earnings and buy goats instead. At first, I chose chickens because of their fast multiplication rate, but now I've changed my mindset. I believe that by raising goats and selling them, I'll be able to fund my college education once I complete my secondary school education. This is my goal for the coming year and beyond."

"I used to have chickens, but they all died early this year due to a disease outbreak, which left me devastated. Besides casual jobs, selling chickens and eggs was my other source of income, and it also provided nutritional value for my family. I thought I would never be able to own chickens again, as I could not afford to replace them. Then, GiveDirectly’s cash came, and it completely changed my thinking. I was able to buy eight chickens and even build a proper chicken coop, something I didn't have before. My previous chickens used to sleep inside our house, which was inconvenient. Thank you, GiveDirectly."

"I realize that I'll need to find a job in order to raise the funds to start my cyber cafe. Unfortunately, my poultry farming investment took a hit when a disease wiped out all my chickens, leaving me feeling disheartened. I'm currently weighing my options, especially since poultry feed is quite expensive. Despite this setback, I'm determined to save up enough money to fulfill my dream of opening a cyber cafe, a passion I've had since my university days. My friends who used to operate a cyber cafe have encouraged me to pursue this venture, and I believe it has the potential to be a successful and financially rewarding business. I'm committed to saving a portion of my income every month, and a friend has suggested that I could use the $500 from my poultry farming proceeds to start the cyber cafe. This business endeavor will also allow me to provide support for my seven younger siblings, all of whom are currently in school."

"I currently own two goats and my aim is to increase their numbers so that I can eventually sell or exchange them for bulls. These bulls will be essential for helping me cultivate my land and generating income through hiring them out. Besides raising goats, I also sell chickens to support my family. With the income from my work and the monthly transfers I receive from GiveDirectly, I will be able to purchase more goats, which I can later exchange for cows. This is my major goal for the coming year and beyond. Due to limited income, I am unable to buy a cow directly, so I plan to invest in goats for a while and then exchange them for cows. I believe that this investment will lead to a brighter future for my family and we will be able to live a more comfortable life than we do now."

"I lost my chickens due to a disease outbreak in our area. They were free range, which likely contributed to their contracting the disease. To prevent a repeat of this situation, I plan to use my cash transfers to build a better chicken coop where the chickens can stay in one place and minimize their movement. I also want to ensure I have access to the right medicine to minimize losses in case of unavoidable circumstances. Once these transfers multiply, I plan to exchange chickens for goats. Buying goats directly is expensive, so I will start with chickens and then trade them for goats once their numbers increase. Goats multiply quickly, are easy to manage, and are highly marketable, making them a great source of future financial income once the GiveDirectly transfers come to an end."

"I am involved in charcoal production and sales to meet the basic needs of my family. Unfortunately, I recently lost all my chickens to a disease outbreak in my village. Despite this setback, I am determined to continue with my poultry farming. With the house of my dreams now built, I am looking to focus on livestock. My ultimate goal is to purchase a cow, but due to the high cost, I plan to start by investing in poultry rearing. Once I have a good number of poultry, I will sell some to buy goats. After the goats multiply, I will sell them to eventually acquire a cow for land cultivation. I intend to use the cow for plowing my land and my neighbors' land for a fee. The income from this endeavor will help me pay for my children's education."

"I aim to start poultry farming. My small kiosk has been struggling, and I believe it's time to explore a new venture that can provide a steady income. With just two chickens, I know the journey will require dedication and patience. I plan to save at least $15 monthly to buy more chickens. This decision is more than just financial; it’s a fresh start."

"As an elderly mother without children of my own, I have come to rely on my co-wife's son for support. Recently, I found myself burdened with a $20 debt at a local shop where I had taken goods on credit. Realizing that it was prudent to settle this debt and free myself from the worry it brought, I decided to use part of my most recent three transfers to pay it off. This act not only alleviated my financial stress but also restored my peace of mind, allowing me to focus on more pressing matters in my life. After clearing my debt, I turned my attention to the well-being of my co-wife's son, who has been struggling to make ends meet with casual jobs. I spent $40 on food to ease his burden, recognizing that providing some relief was essential. Additionally, I invested in my future by purchasing three chickens for $15, bringing my total to seven. This small flock is not only a source of sustenance but also a potential source of income. Finally, with the remaining $27, I bought myself some new clothes, as my old ones were worn and tattered. This small act of self-care reminded me that, despite my age, I still deserve to feel good about myself."

"I am a farmer, and when I received my first transfer from GiveDirectly, I decided to plant green grams and beans in my kitchen garden. I had many needs, but I knew that if I spent the money all at once, I would run out quickly, so I chose to think about tomorrow instead. I spent $50 on seeds, land preparation, and planting my beans and green grams because, with the success of these crops, we wouldn't have to worry about food in the future. Additionally, I bought an improved breed of male chicken for $10 because I only had female chickens, and this rooster would help with reproduction. I spent $20 on household items, such as cooking pots and utensils, and another $20 on food items like maize and sugar, as we had run out of stock at the time I received my transfer. Finally, I set aside $100 for my son, who is in college, to ensure he has fees for the next semester. His education is my priority, and seeing him in college is my pride as a mother."

"Currently, my family and I reside in a small one-room house. I have always wished to build a better and more spacious house for us, but due to limited income as a peasant farmer, this has not been possible. However, since I joined the GiveDirectly program, I have gained hope and determination to work towards constructing a new house in the coming year and beyond. My plan is to build a new house to provide my children with their own space and to give the adults in the family their own space as well. To achieve this, I intend to allocate my transfers towards paying school fees for my children and purchasing building materials for the house. This way, I can gradually work towards constructing a new home for us. Additionally, I have aspirations to own cows for plowing my farm. To accomplish this, I have been investing in chickens, hoping that they will multiply. In the future, I plan to trade the chickens for goats, allow the goats to multiply and increase in value, and eventually trade them for cows. Achieving these goals means a lot to me and will bring me great happiness."