"My goal for the coming years is to build a steady income through farming so I can secure my children's education. When I earn from the onions and beans, I plan to reinvest it in more crops, using crop rotation to keep the soil healthy and increase yields. By doing this, I aim to create a reliable source of income to cover school fees and other family needs. Ensuring my children stay in school is my priority, as I believe education is the foundation for a better future. I feel confident that with each season, I’ll be able to support them more steadily. Farming is challenging, but with this plan, I’m hopeful for a brighter future."

"I used $79 from my transfers to buy food for my family. I usually rely on casual jobs, working on other people's farms or tending livestock for pay. However, the harsh weather conditions in our village have made it very difficult to find steady work, making it challenging to meet the needs of my family of eight. The financial support allowed me to buy enough food to keep my family fed. I also spent $20 on building poles, as I currently have no proper house and sleep in a makeshift structure. This temporary shelter is poorly covered, so I have to endure cold nights. My goal is to continue purchasing building materials, such as poles and iron sheets, to eventually build a secure home where I can sleep comfortably. Additionally, I used $3 to pay school fees for my eldest daughter, allowing her to sit for her end-of-term exams. I am grateful that these transfers have empowered me to support my family and my daughter’s education."

"As a mother of two, my greatest joy is witnessing my children receive a quality education and improve their lives. To ensure they can attend a good school, I am pursuing a college education in tailoring. My goal is to start my own tailoring business after graduation, which I believe will provide a better income for my family. Thanks to GiveDirectly's support, I am able to cover my school fees. Once I finish my studies, I intend to launch my business, and I am confident that the income I generate, along with these transfers, will significantly assist in purchasing building materials, enabling us to construct our dream house. Currently, we live with my mother-in-law because my spouse and I got married when he didn't have a house. With over a year remaining in my college education, I am focused on opening my business afterward. Once my spouse and I manage to build our dream house, I plan to invest in livestock, particularly goats, to further secure our financial future."

"When I received the unconditional cash transfer, I immediately thought of the small plot of land I’ve been saving for. It's in a much safer area, one that doesn’t flood as often, so I’ve been making payments in small installments whenever I could. From the last transfer, I used $50 to pay towards the land, feeling a bit closer to securing a safer future for my family. Next, I prioritized my daughter’s education. She’s in Form Two, and there were some arrears that had been worrying us. I used $80 from the transfer to clear her school fees, and it was such a relief knowing she could continue her studies without any interruptions. I used $235 to buy 21 iron sheets, which will go towards building a house on that new piece of land. It’s a step towards a new beginning for us. I used the remaining amount to buy household food items. Our cupboards were nearly empty, and I wanted to ensure we had enough food to last us through the difficult period. Now, I feel a little more secure, knowing my family has both food and the hope of a new home."

"My goal for the years ahead is to buy a cow and ensure my grandson’s school fees are fully paid. Currently, I don’t own a cow, and it’s very important to me because it would provide milk for our household and a source of income. In our culture, having cows is also a sign of respect and status, so owning one would mean a great deal to me personally. Alongside this, I am determined to support my grandson’s education by making sure his school fees are paid, ensuring he can continue learning without interruptions. With the final transfer from GiveDirectly, I believe I’ll be able to achieve these goals, and the thought fills me with gratitude as I envision a better future and improved living standards for us."

"Life was hard for me, and I struggled every day to provide for my family. I depended on casual jobs, mostly burning charcoal, just to make ends meet. When I received the cash transfer, the first thing I did was use $105 to pay school fees for my children. This payment lifted such a burden from my shoulders, as I no longer had to worry about them being sent home for unpaid fees. Education is important to me, and knowing they could now stay in school without interruption was a huge relief. With $10, I decided to buy clothes for us. We had very few clothes, and most of them were worn out. This small purchase gave us something nice to wear when we needed to go somewhere important or attend a special occasion. It felt good to have clothes that made us feel confident and presentable, even though it was a simple gesture. For my family, it was a small step towards regaining dignity, and I was grateful for that. Lastly, I used the remaining amount of $65 to buy food. With six children to take care of, providing meals has been an ongoing challenge, especially after my husband passed away 12 years ago. I’ve grown used to tough times, sometimes selling firewood or even going hungry when there was no market. Living in a tent without a stable income has made life difficult, but this cash transfer brought us some stability and peace, if only for a while. I’m incredibly thankful for this support, as it’s given me a chance to focus on my children’s needs without as much stress."

"Given the current drought and the hunger we are facing, my plan for this year is to continue using part of my transfers to make sure my family has enough food to avoid going hungry. It is a struggle, but I will keep prioritizing our food needs, especially during these tough times. At the same time, with my grandchildren still in school, I am committed to using another portion of the funds to pay their school fees, ensuring they can stay in school and continue their education. Another big concern for me is the roof of my house. It is very old and rusty, and it desperately needs to be replaced. However, with the drought still ongoing, I cannot focus on the roofing just yet. So, I am waiting for the rains to come, hoping that we will farm and have a good harvest to sustain us for a long period. Once we have enough food stored, I will begin redirecting part of my GiveDirectly transfers from buying food to gradually buying iron sheets to replace the roof. It is a slow process, but I am determined to fix our home, step by step. The support I am receiving from GiveDirectly gives me hope that I can take care of my family and our needs, even in the face of so many challenges."

"I am optimistic that all my children will successfully finish their education. The assistance we've received from GiveDirectly has been essential in supporting our children's educational needs. A portion of the funds has also been used to buy food for our family due to our decreased food supplies. Unfortunately, our maize farm has suffered because of insufficient rainfall. Nonetheless, if we manage to harvest a substantial amount of maize in the coming season, I intend to use part of my transfer for our children's school fees. Additionally, I hope to acquire some livestock, specifically goats, as they can reproduce and provide extra income for our family's needs. Eventually, once the goats increase in number, I plan to trade them for cows, which can be more profitable. This is my focus, particularly as my older children are about to start secondary school. We do not have steady jobs, my spouse runs a small house construction business, and I assist him with farming, although this can be inconsistent due to unreliable rainfall. Because of this, we need to prepare by establishing an alternative source of income hence the reason why I want to invest part of my transfer in goat rearing. All in all I am grateful to GiveDirectly because since I began receiving these transfers, my financial stress has decreased, my children are receiving meals without going hungry, and I can pay their school fees on time."

"We never had the opportunity for an education, which has put us at a disadvantage for a long time. As I look at my children, I want to ensure they don’t face the same struggles we have experienced as their parents. We are determined for them to receive an education, and as I mentioned before, all my transfers will be directed towards their schooling. Additionally, I burn and sell charcoal to earn extra money to help my spouse support our family. With a large family like ours, it requires both of us to work extra hard so we can provide our children with their basic needs. Therefore, in the coming year and beyond, my spouse and I will concentrate on caring for our children, particularly making sure they receive the best education possible."

"Goats do very well in our area, and even though I don't own any yet, my plan is to buy three goats with my final transfer. I believe this will be a good investment because the goats will provide me with milk, helping to reduce the cost of buying it for my family. Additionally, having these goats will give me some financial security for the future. I can sell a few when the need arises, such as for covering school fees for my four children, whom I support alone. This plan not only supports my children's education but also ensures we have a steady source of nutrition at home."