"Building on the progress building a kitchen I have made with the previous transfers from GiveDirectly, my plan for this year is to focus on two key priorities: improving my living conditions and investing in livestock. First and foremost, I intend to use the transfers to purchase a bed and mattress. Currently, I am sleeping on an uncomfortable makeshift structure made of ropes, which has been challenging and detrimental to my well-being. By acquiring a proper bed and mattress, I can ensure a more comfortable and restful sleeping environment for myself and my family. Once I have addressed this immediate need, I will then allocate the remaining funds towards the purchase of goats. As I have done in the past, I am hopeful that these goats will multiply and increase in number over time. This investment in livestock will provide me with a sustainable source of income, which I can tap into when needed to support my family."

"Once I have completed the construction of our new three-bedroom house, I plan to utilize the remaining transfers from GiveDirectly to further secure my family's future. My primary focus will be on ensuring my children's education remains uninterrupted by consistently paying their school fees. Additionally, I intend to start a small shop business where I will sell household consumables. This entrepreneurial venture will provide me with a sustainable financial net, allowing me to reliably take care of my family's needs in the long run. By investing in both my children's education and my own small business, I am laying the foundation for a more prosperous and secure future. The transfers from GiveDirectly have been instrumental in enabling me to take these crucial steps towards achieving my goals."

"With the pooled funds from my merry-go-round group, I plan to purchase more goats. I am hopeful these goats will multiply, increasing in number and value over time. As my goat herd grows, I intend to eventually sell some of them and use the proceeds to purchase cows. Cows are often seen as a more valuable livestock asset, and I hope they will also multiply, further increasing my wealth and assets. One of my key priorities is ensuring my children can continue their education without interruption. This long-term investment in livestock farming could provide a sustainable source of income for my family in the future and secure education for my children"

"The GiveDirectly transfers have presented me with a remarkable opportunity to turn my long-held dream of becoming a livestock farmer into a reality. I am determined to utilize these funds to steadily build up my herd of goats, with the hope that they will multiply and increase in number over time. By investing in this livestock venture, I am laying the foundation for a sustainable source of income that I can rely on in the future. Whenever I am in need, I can sell the goats to help provide for myself and my grandchildren, with whom I currently reside. This livestock farming endeavor represents more than just a business venture for me; it is the fulfillment of a lifelong aspiration. The GiveDirectly transfers have empowered me to take the first steps towards realizing this dream, and I am filled with excitement and determination as I embark on this journey."

"My primary goal is to establish a successful livestock selling business, where I can purchase goats, rear them, and then sell them for a profit in the future. Currently, I have a herd of 10 goats, and I plan to expand this number using the incoming transfers I receive. By growing my goat herd, I aim to increase both the quantity and value of the livestock I can sell. The revenue generated from this business venture will be instrumental in covering my children's school fees and providing for the needs of my family. Through careful management and strategic investments, I am confident in transforming this dream into a thriving reality. The transfers I receive will be a crucial catalyst, enabling me to scale up my operations and build a sustainable source of income"

"My life is full of uncertainties, my hubby and I are not lucky to be in a stable job. Casual jobs are the main source of family income, with this job we earn about $3 a day which is not enough for us. We are therefore living a life of hand to mouth. With our meager family income, we are unable to pay school fees for our two sons which is heartbreaking. My two acre piece of land is now lying idle and uncultivated. We are hopeful that the only way out of this poverty is through farming. The only setback is that we do not have that financial muscle to venture into crop farming."

"Raising school fees for my children, Calvin and Deborah, has become increasingly challenging for me. As a casual laborer earning about $4 a day, I struggle to meet this financial responsibility of my family. Providing my sons with a quality education remains a distant dream with such limited income. Most of my earnings go towards buying food and meeting basic family needs, leaving nothing for savings or investments. The recent devastation of my crops by flash floods in the April 2024 tragedy has worsened our situation, making life incredibly difficult. Now, we rely on expensive market food supplies, often facing shortages that force us to skip meals."

"The scares of flash floods that occurred in our area are still fresh in our family. We had planted maize crop on our two-acre piece of land in April 2024. We were hopeful that our life will take a different turn and that we will live a better life. It is unfortunate that in the blink of an eye we had lost all of our investment. The flash floods swept through my village and destroyed all our crops and houses. Our dreams were shut down and we were left recounting losses. We are now struggling to rebuild our life and put food on the table."

"I stay in a small one-room house with my children. During bedtime, they put their bedding on the floor and sleep there. It’s very embarrassing, especially when I have a visitor, because there’s no space to sit and chat comfortably. Therefore, in the coming year and beyond, I am focusing on building a spacious three-room house that can comfortably accommodate my family. To achieve this dream, I plan to start saving the little income I get from my daily casual jobs. I am optimistic because my two children who are in secondary school are almost finishing their studies. Once they do, I will divert the $20 that I currently pay for their monthly rent towards this project."

"With food security ensured for my family after spending most of my time working on the farm, I am now working hard to ensure my children can go to school without the interruption of being sent home for fee balances. The little I get from doing casual jobs will be directed towards settling the substantial previous school fees debt accumulated by my seven children. I am exceedingly pleased with the financial support I've received, as it has significantly enhanced my capacity to provide for and support my family. Additionally, I wish to start raising poultry and sell them once they have multiplied to generate money for paying fees. I also plan to buy a goat and start goat-rearing projects. I know that once they multiply, I will sell some to raise money and pay fees for my children, even after these transfers come to an end."