"In the coming years, I aim to focus on farming, using crop rotation to keep the soil healthy and productive. After each harvest, I plan to replant carefully, ensuring steady yields that will support my family. My goal is to save part of the income from every season, so I can consistently afford my children’s school fees without worry. Farming has always been my foundation, and I want it to continue as a stable source of both food and income. With this approach, I feel hopeful about securing a good future for my family. Providing for my children’s education is my priority, and I believe that through careful planning, I’ll be able to achieve it."

"The money arrived while I was sleeping, so I didn’t even realize it had come. Early in the morning, my son took my phone, checked it, and excitedly told me, "Mum, the GiveDirectly money has arrived!" Hearing those words filled me with relief and happiness. My son had been sent home from school because we couldn’t pay his fees, and he had already missed a full week of classes. I felt so much stress, not knowing how I could send him back. The very first thought that came to my mind was to use the money for his school fees so we could have peace at home and he could continue with his education."

"I am a widow with eight children, four of whom are married, leaving me to care for the other four. To provide for them, I do casual jobs such as charcoal burning and selling firewood. With my last three transfers totaling $102, I decided to make some important investments. I saved $40 at a local savings group, aiming to accumulate enough funds to renovate my house. The plan is to strengthen the house by adding pillars so that it can withstand the fierce winds we sometimes experience in our area. This is a priority for me because I want my children to have a safe home, regardless of the weather. After saving for the house, I spent $24 to buy food for my family, ensuring we had enough to eat. I also invested $13 in purchasing a young goat, which adds to my herd of three. Livestock is important for us, as it will help provide income in the future. Finally, I used $25 to pay school fees for my children. Education is a crucial part of their future, and I want to ensure they don’t miss out on their studies. These transfers have enabled me to meet our current needs while also planning for a better future."

"In the coming year and beyond, my goal is to buy more goats to secure my family's future, especially when it comes to my children's education. Goats are a valuable asset that can provide stability, and I believe that by steadily saving at least $10 every month, I can grow my herd. This investment will ensure that when school fees come up, I have the means to support my children without financial strain. By focusing on building this asset, I am setting a foundation for their future and ours as a family."

"I am a father of eight, working hard through casual jobs like charcoal burning to provide for my family. With my most recent three transfers, I had to prioritize my children's education, as their future is my greatest concern. I used $55 to pay their school fees, ensuring they could continue their studies without interruptions. It brings me peace knowing that despite the challenges we face, my children are still able to learn and grow towards a brighter future. Aside from education, I used $37 to buy food for my family. Feeding them all is not easy, and with this money, I was able to provide enough for everyone, ensuring we had balanced meals. Unfortunately, one of my children fell sick, so I had to spend $10 on medication. Thankfully, she is now recovering, and her health is improving. These transfers have given me the chance to meet urgent needs, and I am grateful for the support that keeps my family going during tough times."

"I am a widow with five children, and we depend on the support of my eldest son, who does casual jobs to help us get by. When I received the last three transfers from GiveDirectly, I decided first to address a long-standing personal need. I purchased a mattress for $45, as I had been sleeping on a sisal-roped bed for years, which left me waking up exhausted and sore every morning. This new mattress has brought me so much comfort; now I wake up refreshed and ready to face the day with more energy. It feels like a great relief after years of discomfort, and I am truly grateful for this change. After securing the mattress, I focused on my children's education. I spent $26 on their school fees because education is essential for a brighter future. I also wanted to plan ahead, so I saved $20 in a merry-go-round group, ensuring I had something set aside for future needs or emergencies. Lastly, I used $26 for food, ensuring my family had enough to eat. These transfers have not only provided immediate relief but have also allowed me to plan for a more secure and comfortable future for my family."

"I am a mother of nine children, and I work hard to provide for my family by running a small sisal-selling business. With my three most recent transfers totaling $102, I decided to invest in our future by expanding my poultry farm. I used $40 to buy seven more chickens, bringing my total to over 50. Raising chickens has been a steady source of income for me since I sell them every Friday, which is our market day. The money I earn from selling these chickens helps me buy goats, allowing me to diversify my investments and secure a better future for my family. In addition to growing my poultry business, I used $44 to pay school fees for my children. Education is the key to their success, and I want to ensure they have every opportunity to thrive. The remaining $18 went toward buying food for our household, making sure we had enough to eat. These transfers have made a big difference, allowing me to balance my family's immediate needs while also building a strong financial foundation through poultry farming and goat rearing."

"I joined a tailoring course to gain the skills needed to run my own business. Unfortunately, my baby fell ill, and I had to pause my studies to care for her. I plan to resume classes in January, as completing the course is essential, not just as a personal goal but as a crucial step toward securing a stable future for my family. I am optimistic that with the right training, I will find a job that is both fulfilling and supportive of my family’s needs. Beyond tailoring, I also plan to invest part of my transfers in livestock rearing, specifically in goats. Goats are well-suited to our climate, which often brings long droughts. This investment will help increase my income, as goats multiply quickly. My goal is to sell some of their offspring to help my spouse cover our children’s school fees and other essential family needs."

"My main source of income is charcoal burning, but due to the drought, I can no longer continue with this work. The water scarcity severely impacts our ability to cool down the charcoal, making the job impossible right now. For the time being, I am doing casual jobs whenever they are available to support my family. Life has become extremely difficult because we now have to buy everything, including vegetables that we once grew on our farm. I am deeply grateful for these transfers, as they are a tremendous help during this challenging drought season. In the coming year and beyond, I plan to invest in livestock, particularly goats, as this will provide an additional income to support my family and pay school fees for my children. Goat rearing is profitable and requires minimal capital to start and maintain, and the earnings from this venture will help cover food, school fees, and other essential expenses."

"I am a father of three, working hard through casual jobs to provide for my family. My three recent transfers, amounting to $102, were a great help in addressing some pressing needs. My priority was the health of my child, who has been unwell for a while and requires regular checkups. Each visit to the doctor costs $10, and over the last three months, I spent $30 on these medical expenses to ensure my child continues to receive the necessary care and medication. Health is everything, and seeing my child get better is worth every penny. In addition to medical needs, I am committed to building a better financial future for my family. Over the last three months, I saved $45 in a local savings group, setting aside $15 monthly. This growing savings will help us during emergencies or give us a chance to invest in something meaningful later on. I also used $15 to pay school fees for my child in primary school, as education is crucial for a better future. With the remaining $12, I bought food to keep us nourished and healthy. These transfers have been a blessing, helping me meet my family’s immediate needs while planning for the future."