"In the coming year and beyond, my goal is to expand my livestock by purchasing more goats, as I currently have nine. This is a crucial step toward securing my family's future. I plan to save at least $10 each month from the GiveDirectly transfers to gradually build my savings for this investment. Having more goats will enable me to sell them when necessary, providing a steady source of income to cover my family's needs. Although it's a long-term plan, I am determined to achieve it and ensure financial stability for all of us."

"The biggest difference in my life from this support is the way I am now able to secure my family's future. By buying two sheep, I have invested in something that will help us for years to come, as they will reproduce and provide more resources. This long-term investment means that even after the support ends, I will still have something to rely on. Additionally, adding an extra room to our house has made a huge difference in our daily lives. My family of four no longer has to live in one small room, which has given us more privacy and dignity. This simple change has made our home more comfortable and has improved our overall well-being."

"When I received $450 from GiveDirectly, I felt incredibly thankful, as this support came just when I needed it most. After the devastating floods that swept away my mud house, my family and I were forced to seek shelter with a neighbor who lived on higher ground. With $250 of the transfer, I was able to buy building materials for a new house. I am grateful that the house is now complete, and my family feels safe and secure once again. I used the remaining $200 as a deposit toward purchasing land on higher ground. This decision is important to me because I want to protect my family from future floods. Once I finish the payments, which I plan to do with the next GiveDirectly transfer, I hope to build a permanent home there. The land where we currently live will then be used for farming, so we can stay safe while still making the most of our resources."

"My goal for this year and the years to come is to focus on farming to fully recover from the effects of the recent floods. With the support from GiveDirectly, I am committed to approaching farming differently by trying new crops like tomatoes and watermelons, which are in high demand and can generate more income in the market. Making this vision a reality fills me with happiness and hope. Challenges like floods and drought may come, but I am determined not to give up. I will keep trying, working toward a more stable and prosperous future for my family."

"I was at home when a message popped up on my phone. Since I can’t read, I asked my son to check it for me, and he confirmed that GiveDirectly had sent $180. I was overwhelmed with happiness and gratitude, and my first thought was to use it to buy food for our family."

"Going forward, after addressing the housing issue and adding the extra room, my primary goal is to return to farming. I plan to grow maize and beans, and this time, I aim to do even better than before. I will be farming on 3.5 acres of land, compared to the 1.5 acres I had previously. With the support from GiveDirectly, I now have more capital to invest in my farm, which will result in more income. The thought of getting back to farming after the devastating effects of the floods fills my heart with gratitude and hope for the future. I am excited about the possibilities and the chance to rebuild my life through farming."

"Upon receiving $450 from GiveDirectly, I felt happy and grateful, seeing it as a chance to address my most pressing needs. I have two children—one daughter in secondary school and a son in university. Covering their school fees has been a heavy burden, and I often rely on their older siblings for help, though they don’t have stable jobs either. So, I used $310 to pay for their school fees, which has brought me a huge relief, as I no longer feel the stress and pressure of unpaid fees. With that settled, I used $80 to buy two beds—one for my daughter and one for myself. Previously, we only had mattresses and were sleeping on the floor, but now we sleep comfortably, and it has also improved our privacy at home. Finally, I spent the remaining amount on food to meet our immediate needs, as it’s a constant struggle to provide food, often relying on casual labor to get by. This support from GiveDirectly has made a tremendous difference in easing my worries and improving our quality of life."

"When I recently received $450 from GiveDirectly, I felt both happy and deeply grateful to GiveDirectly and to God. I decided to invest $380 in buying a cow. I have always loved livestock keeping, and in our area, cattle thrive. I have wanted to own a cow for a long time, but I never had the means until now. This cow will be beneficial in many ways – it will provide milk to feed my family, and as it reproduces and grows into a larger herd, it can become a source of income. This investment makes the support I received feel long-lasting and meaningful. After buying the cow, I used $40 to purchase food for my family. I had no harvest this season because recent floods destroyed our crops, so it was important for us to stock up on food. This support from GiveDirectly means so much to me, especially in these difficult times, as it has brought hope when we felt hopeless. Now, my family can have enough food even without a harvest. With the remaining amount, I purchased essential daily household items to ensure I could meet our everyday needs without struggling. GiveDirectly’s support has truly made a difference in our lives, providing both immediate relief and hope for the future."

"The biggest difference in my life since I started receiving cash transfers from GiveDirectly has been the positive change in my family life and the addition of a one more goat. Seeing everyone in my family happy with something as simple as a new pair of clothes fills me with joy; they truly feel included in this support. On the other hand, owning a goat has given us something lasting to remember this help. This goat not only symbolizes the support we've received but also promises hope for the future by providing us with food and, eventually, an income source as it multiplies. Together, these changes have brought joy and optimism to our family."

"My plan is to grow my livestock by breeding the animals I currently have and using my monthly transfers from GiveDirectly to purchase more. This approach will help me generate income to support and educate my six school-going children. In the coming year, I intend to focus on expanding my sheep and goat rearing. Once they multiply, I can sell some to cover my children’s school fees. So far, I have purchased three sheep and five goats, and I am thankful for this progress. My spouse and I also burn and sell charcoal to support our family, but the income is minimal. This is why I decided to start a livestock project that will provide additional income in the future."