"There's a big difference now in my life, I have a cow which I didn't have before. Having a mattress and blanket was a dream but cash received from give directly made it a reality."

"I bought a cow for $250 because i thought that it will help in coming years in getting manure for my crops and getting money from milk. My house was leaking, so I had to buy new roofings for $150 for improving that house . I bought school uniform for my children and mattress for 42$ because their clothes were old and we needed mattress at home."

"Due to the ongoing rains, my mud-walled house was leaning on one side, as they are susceptible to rainfall. Over the past few months, I hired someone to construct concrete pillars on the corners and reinforce the foundation of the walls. I am pleased with the progress as the structure now appears more stable. However, the work is not yet complete, as the foundation still needs attention. This is my priority until the end of the year. Once that is done, I plan to invest in more livestock to expand my two-cow herd. Specifically, I aim to start with chickens as they are more affordable and breed at a faster rate. Owning livestock will provide a stable source of wealth, and I can sell these animals to acquire funds for my needs."

"I bought a cow because I can get milk and get another one when it gives birth"

"Before receiving the transfer, I had already planned how to spend it. I acquired this knowledge from the civic education which we were taken through by the officers before registration. Upon receiving the transfer, I first bought a bale of maize flour for $24. I decided of buying some food to ensure that I have enough stock for my family of 6. Initially, I used to make charcoals for sale to cater to my children's education and food which was strenuous. Since I did not have a bed and I used to sleep on the floor using some empty boxes and sacks, I opted to buy a nice modern bed for $59 and two mattresses for $96. Since then, my children and I have been very happy sleeping well and comfortably, courtesy of GiveDirectly. In terms of investment, I saw it best to buy a cow for $275 and two goats for $65 which will serve as security in the future and can be converted into monetary value to sort some issues out if the need arises."

"I bought a cow to save my money for getting land."

"The transfers means so much to me because it will help me meet my most pressing needs. Firstly, I intend to use the money to buy food. I intend to purchase 30 kilograms of maize and 5 kilograms of beans at $30. For the remaining amount of the first transfer I intend to purchase 3 goats at $30 each. The second transfers will assist me in purchasing 2 cows. This is a great investment for me because I will be able to get milk to sell to my neighbours. For the third transfers I intend to fence my compound and farm. This will ensure that my animals are safe at night from wild animals. I believe that with the plans I've put in place my life will be transformed positively."

"I don't have a steady source of income because I lost all of my livestock owing to the prolonged drought in my village. I was completely dependent on livestock and sold milk to my neighbors to make ends meet. Fortunately, thanks to your transfers, I am slowly reestablishing my financial position and have been able buy a cow. I branched into subsistence farming so as to make additional income while getting food for everyday consumption. I spent $52 of my transfers on food for my family. I then spent $39 on my grandchildren's tuition and the balance on buying medication for myself since I fell ill."

"Receiving the first payment has brought about a remarkable transformation in my daily life, primarily due to the presence of a fully constructed fence. This fence has had a tremendous impact on my ability to closely monitor the movement of my cows and goats, providing me with a sense of security and peace of mind. I am immensely grateful for the generous support extended to me by GiveDirectly, and I eagerly anticipate the potential of achieving even more with the subsequent transfer."

"When GiveDirectly offered me financial assistance, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to transform my life. Despite yearning to own a cow for a long time, the financial burden of providing for food and basic necessities hindered my pursuit. In addition to my work as a cobbler, I took on odd jobs like water fetching for hotels near the Koriema shopping center. Unfortunately, due to my inability to pay for my wife's bride price, she had to return to her parent's home, leaving with my three children. With my initial transfer, I was able to purchase a cow valued at $70, an endeavor that held great promise. Tragically, the cow perished during transport to my home. Nonetheless, I wisely utilized the remaining funds to buy a bag of maize, beans, and other essential food items. I also managed to acquire a bed, providing much-needed comfort for my family. None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the transfer I received, and I am immensely grateful for the life-changing opportunity it brought us."