"During a challenging phase in my son's education, he faced frequent dismissals from school due to outstanding fees. My husband manages a modest enterprise vending local toothbrushes, generating insufficient income to meet our family's needs, particularly concerning our son's schooling expenses. Unfortunately, my health prohibits me from pursuing labor-intensive employment due to severe chest pains. Consequently, I invested $60 in acquiring a goat and $20 in six hens, anticipating their reproduction to yield funds for future school fees. Allocating $10 for tilling a portion of my two-acre plot in preparation for the upcoming rains, I set aside $5 in a savings collective for potential emergencies. The remaining $41 was utilized to procure essential provisions and detergents for our household, ensuring we never go hungry. I am profoundly grateful for the financial assistance, which has enabled my son to sustain uninterrupted education."

"Livestock holds a special place in my heart, as they offer opportunities for earning income. With my upcoming transfers, I intend to invest in goats, recognizing their potential for multiplying and generating revenue. My plan is to expand my livestock holdings and eventually exchange some goats for an additional bull. Having two bulls will significantly enhance my income-generating capacity, as I can offer plowing services to others in the community. This diversification of income sources marks a significant shift from my previous reliance solely on my son for financial support. I am immensely grateful for the financial assistance provided by the transfers, as they have empowered me to pursue economic opportunities and achieve greater financial independence. This newfound ability to earn money brings me great joy and satisfaction, reflecting the positive impact of the transfers on my life."

"In the coming year and beyond, my primary focus will be on maximizing my farming efforts by ensuring I have all the necessary inputs and conducting timely farming activities to enhance productivity. This is because my son, who is currently in grade seven will be transitioning to high school soon, and that means more money for school fees. So, I need to plan carefully. To secure the funds required for my son's education, I intend to leverage the proceeds from my farming to invest in goat farming. Currently, I already own three goats, which I purchased using the initial transfer. The venture has proven promising, with two of the goats already giving birth. Our warm climatic conditions are good for their multiplication as they reproduce faster, and they have shown resilience even during drought. By expanding my goat farming, I aim to generate sufficient income through their sale to cover my son's school fees."

"I have seen livestock farming doing well in our area specifically for goats, so I opted to borrow ideas from a neighbor who was balancing her priorities well. Instead of receiving money and concentrating on food, I opted to start an investment which by the end of this year I would like to account for it. Therefore, I plan to start goat raring. I chose goats because they are affordable in terms of the cash I receive from GiveDirectly and also they do not require much attention. Their ability to survive in a drought-prone area also encouraged me to invest in them knowing that I will not have a tough time looking after them. I now have 2 goats with hopes that when they multiply they will act as my financial security."

"As a small-scale farmer, I've been carefully planning how to use the quarterly transfers from GiveDirectly to improve my life. With $30, I bought 3 iron sheets, laying the foundation for the house I dream of building; currently, I endure the discomfort of a leaking grass-thatched house. Allocating $4 for a hoe will ensure I'll be ready for the upcoming season, as farming is my main source of livelihood. Investing $15 in 3 hens holds promise for the future; I hope to sell their offspring and eventually purchase a goat, providing financial security. Another $20 went into preparing my land for farming, tilling it with an ox plough in anticipation of the next season's crops. With the remainder, I bought food to sustain myself, as I am alone without a family to support me. As both a subsistence farmer and a casual worker, earning a meager income from charcoal burning, these transfers are a vital lifeline in my journey towards a better future."

"I have got big plans for the goat I am planning to buy and rear. It is going to keep me busy, and I am counting on it to multiply so I can sell them in the future. That will come in handy when my grandchildren need help with school fees or other expenses. As an elderly woman, I cannot work, so these goats and my chili farming are my main hopes. Even though my chili nursery did not produce any sprouts this year, I am not giving up. I still have hopes in the next year when I prepare another nursery and I am happy that my life is now getting a good direction"

"Upon receiving my final transfer, I paid school fees for my grandchild, who lives with me worth $250. Together with her parents, we support each other financially. As a small-scale farmer, my primary sources of income are from selling goats and engaging in crop farming. To sustain my farming activities, I invested $100 in plowing and planting maize, and I regularly irrigate the crops to mitigate the impact of frequent droughts. Additionally, I spent $11 on new clothes for my granddaughter and myself since our old clothes were worn out. With the remaining $89, I bought a sack of maize and other food items to ensure we had enough food in the house. Thank you GiveDirectly."

"Our household's primary source of income comes from surplus produce from our subsistence farming efforts, which helps cover a portion of my four children's school fees and other household expenses. During times of low harvest, GiveDirectly transfers provide a critical safety net, ensuring we can meet our basic needs and educational expenses. Currently, I am saving $10 monthly in an informal group with nine other members, to accumulate funds to purchase a new bed and mattress in the coming year. Achieving my initial goal of acquiring a goat within less than a year has motivated me to invest in improving our bedding situation. Our current bedding is in poor condition, with old and worn-out items that no longer provide adequate comfort. Acquiring new bedding will significantly enhance our quality of life and ensure better rest for our family. I am deeply grateful for the financial assistance from GiveDirectly, as it has positively transformed our lives in various ways and enabled us to pursue important goals that improve our living conditions. This support has been instrumental in allowing us to plan more effectively for the future and address immediate needs with greater confidence."

"Achieving a tangible asset without saving can be challenging, which is why I allocated $60 to our merry-go-round group for savings towards acquiring a goat for rearing. I am optimistic about starting a goat-rearing project because it will serve as financial security for my family in the future. With the remaining amount of $42 from my transfer, I used it to buy food for my family's consumption, ensuring we have enough to meet our daily needs. Investing in livestock like goats not only provides a stable financial foundation but also offers a source of sustainable income through breeding and selling. I believe that this project will yield significant benefits for my family's financial security and overall well-being. By carefully managing my resources, I aim to create a sustainable path towards achieving our long-term goals and securing a better future for my loved ones."

"For the past decade, I've earned a living by selling local toothbrushes, a job that has supported my family's needs. Currently, my wife and I are actively cultivating maize on our two-acre farm, hoping for plentiful rains and a bumper harvest. A successful harvest will not only ensure food security but also provide financial resources to enhance our quality of life. Recently, I invested in livestock by purchasing a goat for $45, supplementing the cost with earnings from my business. With this addition, I now own six goats, all acquired using funds from the transfers. These animals will serve as valuable assets for the future, offering security and potential income. In addition to supporting my immediate family, I assisted my son in paying $34 in school fees for my six grandchildren. They had been sent home due to outstanding fees, but with the financial assistance, they were able to return to school, complete the term, and sit for their exams. Furthermore, when my son's house collapsed earlier this year due to heavy winds, I contributed $34 towards purchasing building poles to help him set up a new home. I am relieved that he now has a safe and comfortable dwelling, protected from the elements. I am grateful for the financial support provided by Give Directly, as it has enabled me to fulfill my responsibilities to my family and improve our overall quality of life."