"I haven’t fully recovered from my chest pain, which started years ago. As a casual laborer supporting my family, it’s difficult to avoid heavy work, especially since that’s mostly what’s available here in the village. To help solve this challenge, I’ve decided to invest in livestock. My goal is to raise goats at home, which I plan to eventually trade for a dairy cow. The cow will provide a steady income, helping me become more self-reliant. Thanks to these transfers, I’ve started buying goats and already have four. To achieve my dream of owning a cow, I’ll keep buying goats and, as they multiply, trade them for a cow. Cows are expensive, so purchasing one all at once is not easy. Additionally, once I have my cow, I’ll sell some of its offspring when it multiplies and use the earnings to start a small shop. I’m confident that if I can bring these plans to life, I’ll achieve financial stability and be able to support my family with ease."

"First of all, I am deeply grateful for the support. I felt truly supported during a challenging time, as I was affected by severe floods that took away many of my belongings and disrupted my farming. Receiving $450 has been a blessing in helping me rebuild. As a farmer, my work was on hold due to the flooding, but now I’m back to farming on one acre of land. I invested $150 into this venture; since I had already bought kale seeds with the first transfer, this amount covered the cost of land preparation, planting, and repairing my generator. This generator is essential for irrigation, allowing me to manage the crops even if there’s no rain and reducing the risk of crop loss. I am already selling some of this produce and saving the earnings for future farming. My next plan is to grow beans on two acres. After setting up the farm, I focused on school fees for my three children. I used $150 to clear their unpaid fees. One of my children is preparing for the national exams, and now they can do so without the worry of debt. I am very grateful for this, as I value education deeply. With $70, I bought a goat, my first one, which will be helpful in the future, especially for school expenses. Finally, I used the remaining amount to buy food, ensuring my family has this essential supply, especially once the support ends. I didn’t know where to start after the floods, but this support has truly made a difference. I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to rebuild and provide for my family’s needs."

"When I received $450 from GiveDirectly, one of my children was close to finishing secondary school, but I struggled to clear the outstanding fees. I used $150 of the transfer to pay the remaining school fees. With that burden lifted, I felt a huge relief, and I am thrilled to see my child continue their education without any more obstacles. After handling the school fees, I wanted to invest in something sustainable that could provide ongoing income even after this support ends. So, I used $210 to purchase four goats. I didn’t own any livestock before this, and I am hopeful that raising goats will give me a source of income and a safety net in times of need. With the remaining $90, I leased a piece of land plan to use for crop farming. This venture will not only help generate income but will also contribute to our food security in the future. I am deeply grateful for this support. It has allowed me to secure my child’s education, start building a small livestock herd, and prepare for future farming opportunities."

"With my latest transfer, I purchased two goats for $59. This decision was made because our transfers are nearing an end, and I see goats as a source of future financial security. Rearing goats is beneficial since they multiply quickly, thereby increasing their financial value. I also spent $15 on food, as we did not have enough for our family's needs. Additionally, I paid $10 in fees for my younger sibling, who was on the verge of being sent home due to an outstanding balance. I wanted to ensure he wouldn’t miss the chance to take his exams. Lastly, I used the remaining $18 to buy clothes for him, as he was lacking sufficient clothing."

"I remember that morning so clearly – it was around 6 a.m. when my brother called, asking me to go to the farm to help with the tomato harvest. Still half-asleep, I grabbed my phone and noticed a new message. I opened it and, to my disbelief, it was a notification showing that I had received money from GiveDirectly! I was so happy I could barely contain my excitement. Immediately, my thoughts raced to all the possibilities, and the first thing that came to mind was buying goats, which I'd been planning for a while."

"I am thankful to GiveDirectly for the financial assistance that has significantly improved my financial situation. After completing my secondary education, I found myself at home, unsure of how to pursue college. Fortunately, GiveDirectly enrolled me in their program. With their support, I was able to start a small vegetable business, which has been quite successful. I couldn’t attend college right away because my parents, who are peasant farmers, couldn’t afford it. Through this business, I am able to save money, and I use part of my income from GiveDirectly to invest in goats. I am pleased to say that I now have ten goats. My ambition is to become a Mechanical Engineer, and I believe that the income from my business and goat investments will help me achieve my college dreams, as goats reproduce quickly. I plan to sell some of them to fund my education. After graduating, I aim to establish my own business to enhance my family's quality of life."

"My primary objective is to strategically plan and invest in goat farming, a venture I've already begun with the assistance of these transfers. Growing up in a family where steady financial support is hard to come by, careful planning is essential to prevent falling into debt. My husband works as a tout, but his earnings vary based on the number of passengers, making his income unpredictable. This instability is particularly frustrating with school-going children, as we need to ensure their fees are paid on time and meet their basic needs. To reach my goal, I intend to save $20 from my monthly transfers each month. This savings will enable me to invest in goat rearing and establish a more secure financial future for my family. As the goats breed, I plan to sell some to fund my children's fees and manage any financial crises without having to rely on my neighbors for help. Thanks to these transfers, life has become more manageable, and I am committed to avoiding a return to poverty. I am dedicated to using this income to support my children's schooling and provide them with a brighter future."

"Upon receiving my latest transfer, I used $24 to purchase food for my family, as we were in urgent need at that time. I prioritized this expense due to the lack of food in the house. I also contributed $18 to our merry-go-round group, as it is easier to save in a collective than to save individually, where access to funds can be tempting. I plan to utilize my savings to invest in an income-generating venture once it’s my turn to receive. Additionally, I bought one mature goat, as I aim to expand my goat-rearing project, which I consider essential for my financial security when these transfers come to an end."

"When I received my second transfer from GiveDirectly, the first thing I did was clear my son's high school fee arrears of $200. He had been sent home multiple times and often missed classes because we couldn't afford to pay. I rely on charcoal production to make a living, but with a young daughter to care for, I could not go to work. The transfer allowed me to settle the fees, ensuring my son could attend school. In addition, I decided to invest in livestock, as it is something that has helped me in the past, especially when I need to pay fees. Unfortunately, a disease outbreak this year reduced my livestock to fewer than ten. To diversify my income and prepare for future needs, I bought three goats for $60 each. I see this as a long-term investment, knowing that as the goats multiply, I can sell them and use the money for things like school fees and other household expenses. Food was also a major challenge for my family of seven children. With my crops destroyed by floods and my dependence on charcoal production, it was difficult to provide for them. On top of that, my husband has many wives, so he provides very little support. I spent $70 from the transfer on food, which greatly eased the burden of feeding my children and helped us get through this difficult time. Thank you, GiveDirectly."

"My primary objective is to make sure my children can pursue their education to higher levels, enabling them to have a brighter future. To reach this goal, I plan to allocate part of my transfers to acquire more goats while using other portions to cover their school fees. I am optimistic that by adding more goats to my resources, they will multiply over time. Eventually, I aim to exchange these goats for cows, which will also appreciate in value. When the opportune moment arises, I will sell the cows and utilize the profits to support my children's education, as they can yield a substantial return. I am very thankful to GiveDirectly for providing me with this chance to enhance my family's assets. This assistance will enable me to establish a sustainable approach to ensure my children can continue their education and achieve a better future."