"The house we currently live in is in dire condition, with the structure nearly collapsing due to its age and the heavy rainfall we've been experiencing, causing the pillars to rot. This poses a serious danger to my family, and I constantly worry, especially at night while we're sleeping. To address this urgent situation, I am considering selling one of my cows to raise funds for purchasing building materials, supplementing this with my monthly transfers from GiveDirectly. I plan to gradually buy these materials every month upon receiving the transfer. However, completion may take time given my responsibilities with my children and reliance on unreliable casual jobs to support my family. Despite the challenges, I am encouraged and empowered by GiveDirectly's support, which gives me hope and determination to secure a safer living environment for my family."

"My goal remains to keep buying goats and grow my herd from the six I already acquired through previous transfers so that I may be able to exchange them for cows in future. Since food is not a concern at the moment due to our maize harvest, I intend to allocate most of the cash transfers toward buying goats. My ultimate objective is to accumulate enough wealth through livestock so that when the transfers eventually cease, I will have a source of income to contribute to the household's needs, such as food, without relying solely on my son."

"In the coming few months, I want to fix up my old house with a falling roof. It's tough living at my parents' place it's not my own space. Once I get my house sorted, I have this dream of buying a cow. Sounds strange, I know, but it's like a financial safety net for me. I've been working casual jobs, and I'm saving up from that, not touching my transfers. I've also started saving through this group called the Silk Group. So, step by step, I'm hoping to make my living situation more stable and comfortable."

"In the next few months and years, my main focus is on supporting my son as he finishes school. Once he's done, I'm counting on him and my daughter, Abigael, to join forces with me to achieve my dream of building our own house. Right now, living with my parents is not ideal, but it's necessary as I've been prioritizing my children's education. Once they're independent, we can work together towards our shared goal of having a place to call our own, where we can all feel comfortable and secure."

"When the third transfer came through, my spouse and I sat down to plan how to use it wisely. We agreed to allocate $200 towards paying the school fees for our son, who is currently in Form 2 for this coming term, to make his secondary education journey smoother without interruption. This brought us a sense of relief, knowing that we could have enough time to look for money to cover the fees for the other terms through maize farming on our two-acre plot and from my wife's food hawking business savings. Another $30 went towards restocking food supplies for my wife's business, which is crucial in meeting the daily needs of our family of eleven. She prepares and delivers cooked food to farm workers at the Perkerra irrigation scheme. Additionally, we decided to invest $120 in purchasing two sheep. We expect them to multiply and provide us with offspring that we can sell to support our children's education down the line. We aim to ensure that all our nine children complete their education. I allocated $50 to facilitate irrigation on our two-acre maize farm, ensuring it remains well-watered for optimal growth. Lastly, I used the remaining to purchase a sack of maize. This ensures that we have enough food, especially during this April holiday when all our children are at home because their schools are closed."

"As I look ahead to the coming months and years, I'm hopeful to achieve a simple yet meaningful goal: expanding my flock of goats. I've been diligently saving through my SILC account, banking on the promise that when these savings mature, I'll be able to use the savings to purchase even more. This venture represents a path to financial independence and security for me and my family. With each addition to my herd, I'm not just growing a business; I'm nurturing a future where we can sustain ourselves with dignity and pride."

"I desire to build a new house for my family. Right now, we're living in a broken-down place since it got destroyed by a big storm. It's not safe or comfortable. I hope to build a two-room house where we can all live comfortably, including my co-wife who doesn't have a job. I'm counting on my job transfer and my savings to get all the materials we need to start building. It'll make me so happy to finally have a solid roof over our heads."

"In the near future, I'm aiming to buy a goat. It might seem small, but if they multiply, I could sell some and handle financial emergencies better. Right now, I rely on a future transfer, but it's tied up with paying school fees for my three kids. It's a tough choice to divert that money to buying goats, but I'm hopeful it'll pay off in the long run."

"Following a successful harvest that I believe will sustain my family until next year, I am now focusing on addressing other previously challenging needs, particularly related to education. My main objective is to actively support the education of our four children, thus alleviating some financial burdens from my husband, who works as a casual laborer. To achieve this, I contribute $5 monthly to our merry-go-round group, which I believe is a promising initiative. With the help of cash transfers, I am confident that I will be able to save effectively and ensure that my children receive the best education, allowing them to concentrate fully on their studies without worries."

"I have two children in the upper classes, and my eldest is soon joining secondary school, requiring careful financial planning for a smooth transition. Currently, I am managing previous term fees arrears with the help of GiveDirectly transfers, significantly easing my financial burden. The difference is profound compared to before I received these transfers; my children are no longer sent home for fee balances because the teachers know I receive support from GD, and I am able to contribute consistently. My family relies on casual jobs for income, but the last season was challenging, leaving us in a situation where we are struggling to afford basic necessities and school fees. I am compelled to allocate the limited income from casual jobs to both essential needs and educational expenses, highlighting the importance of additional financial support to maintain stability and ensure my children's education continues uninterrupted."