"GiveDirectly has truly opened up new horizons for me and my family, especially in terms of financial stability. One of the dreams I had but couldn't pursue due to financial constraints was starting a chicken farming venture. Now, with the support of GiveDirectly, I have the means to turn that dream into a reality, and I am profoundly grateful for this opportunity. Rearing chickens is not just a business venture for me; it's a long-held aspiration that I've nurtured over the years. I see it as a pathway to financial independence and a means to secure my family's future. With the funds I've received, I was able to build a spacious and secure chicken house to provide a comfortable environment for my feathered friends. Looking ahead, my goal is to further grow this chicken farming enterprise. I plan to invest in more chickens, improve their feed, and implement best practices for poultry management. By doing so, I hope to meet the needs of my family and also generate surplus eggs for sale, thereby boosting our income. The support from GiveDirectly has not only empowered me financially but has also instilled in me a sense of responsibility and determination to make the most of this opportunity."

"After receiving the second transfer from GiveDirectly, my spouse and I were determined to make the most of this final chance. We went to the nearby shopping center with a well-planned budget of $200. Our first investment was in a heifer, which we hoped would boost our milk production in the future. We also purchased a sheep for $30, with the idea of using it to generate income for us. Our ultimate goal was to acquire another cow, considering our successful history in cattle rearing. To diversify our income streams, we bought six chickens for $39. These chickens were already laying eggs and provided us with a steady source of income to cover our daily expenses. We also allocated $50 for new clothing, including a sweater, a dress, two shirts for my husband, and two pairs of trousers. With $210 left, we decided to save it for household goods, including food. Our family had dwindled to just the two of us, as our children had embarked on their own journeys. These investments and improvements have brought us a sense of security and stability, ensuring a brighter future for our small household."

"My primary goal is to construct a three-bedroom house for my family as our current residence is too small to accommodate us adequately. To accomplish this objective, I am committed to consistently saving my transfers through our savings club. Additionally, I plan to invest in goats and chickens, with the intention of selling them once they reproduce and their offspring reach maturity, thereby generating additional income for our family. I am grateful to Give Directly for giving my family this chance to change our lives."

"My goal is to expand the chicken-rearing project that I initiated with the cash transfers. Currently, my job as a community police officer does not provide a reliable income to support the education of my seven children, let alone cover their food expenses. I am happy that I already traded 15 chickens for a goat, which marked the beginning of my goat-rearing venture as well. I aim to acquire around 15 laying hens that will breed and increase the flock size. With a larger chicken flock, I can trade for more goats and expand my goat herd, which is another source of income I am eager to pursue."

"Given my paralysis in one leg, I am unable to engage in strenuous activities to generate an income. Therefore, livestock rearing remains my primary means of livelihood. My ultimate goal is to revive my livestock trading business, which was adversely affected by the drought. This drought led to the loss of vegetation and the death of some cattle and goats that I owned at that time. I aim to restart this venture as it represents my best opportunity for income generation. To achieve this, I have started by purchasing chickens, with plans to gradually expand to include goats and cows."

"My recent unconditional cash transfer brought a ray of hope into my life as a widow with four children. The first priority was our living conditions; my old house was on the brink of collapse. I used a substantial portion of the funds, around $300, to purchase all the necessary building materials like iron sheets, building poles, threads, and timber. For far too long, my family had endured living in a deteriorating structure, and I worried about their safety. Thanks to this financial assistance, we now have a new, safe, and pleasant home, and I can't express my gratitude enough to the organization that made it possible. I didn't stop there; I also invested in our future. I bought six chickens for $30, which I believe will multiply in number in a short time. This will provide a valuable source of income that I've never had before. Additionally, I used part of the funds to pay the school fees of $100 for my three children, two in secondary school and one in a lower grade. The constant struggle of keeping them in school had been a source of frustration for me as a parent, but now I see a brighter future ahead. With the remaining amount, I ensured that my family of four no longer goes without meals, alleviating a significant burden and bringing newfound stability to our lives."

"My son was diagnosed with a hernia at the beginning of this year, which necessitated quick medical treatment and surgery. Regrettably, I was unable to provide him with the essential treatment due to financial constraints. My husband and I are both teachers, but even with our combined wages, we were struggling to make ends meet, let alone afford the cost of surgery. I am delighted to report that, through this project, I was able to save $68 from the transfers, allowing us to schedule the hernia surgery for November. This gives us hope that our son will receive the critical treatment he requires. In addition, I set aside $14 to buy new school uniforms because the old ones were in poor condition and another $10 to cover their school tuition, ensuring that their education remains uninterrupted. Finally, I spent $10 on two chickens, which I intend to sell when they reach maturity, providing our family with a source of income."

"I recently ventured into turkey rearing as an extra source of income because they are less prone to diseases and sell at a better price compared to chickens despite the little difference in the time they take to mature. A 6-month old turkey can sell for approximately $30 while chicken of the same age would sell at $10. Chickens are also prone to diseases which quickly spreads whenever there is an outbreak in the village as many households rear chickens. After almost experiencing a loss from my chicken rearing business due to diseases, I decided to venture into turkey rearing which is less common within the village. I have only 4 turkeys at the moment but aims at increasing the number by using my transfers to purchase more of them at a young age then selling them when they mature. There is no ready market for turkeys within the village but I have identified a market where I will be selling them in town once they are ready. Once this turkey project is self sustainable, I will think of a new project that the transfers can help me to accomplish."

"One of my long-standing aspirations within my current chicken rearing project has been to diversify my livestock endeavors, specifically by expanding into goat rearing. My goal is to gradually achieve this by constructing an additional shed and acquiring a new goat every month. Given that the cost of a goat typically amounts to around $30, I plan to initiate this expansion starting next month. This endeavour will present an opportunity for increased income for my family in the long run."

"My primary goal is to transition from my current small, electricity-deprived tailoring stall to a permanent shop equipped with electricity, which would enable me to enhance the efficiency of my tailoring services by utilizing both manual and electric machines. Moreover, this transition would alleviate the constant worry of my machines being stolen during the nightly moves, providing a more secure work environment. To accomplish this, I am determined to save a portion of my earnings and explore additional income streams, such as selling some of the chickens I have, in order to accumulate the necessary funds for this significant improvement in my business infrastructure."