"The recent floods caused a lot of destruction in my family because my two grass hatched houses was partially destroyed and my 2 acre piece of land which I cultivated this season was swept away completely. I am now relying on casual labour to pay school fees for my 2 secondary school children and also cater their basic needs which is not enough. My biggest worries is for the one in the final year because I have huge school fees arears."

"Recently, our area was hit hard by floods, which has been devastating for me. The floodwaters destroyed my 2-acre maize farm, and it feels like I've lost all the progress I had made in my life. Financially, I'm unable to replant crops due to the damage. Even attempts at charcoal burning were thwarted by the persistently wet ground. Now, I find myself depending on casual labor on other farms where owners are able to replant."

"I have always had a strong desire to pursue my education. After completing form four, financial constraints prevented me from further studies. Nevertheless, I aim to set an example in my community that education yields success. Currently, I support myself through casual labor and farming. Unfortunately, recent floods washed away much of my hard-earned progress. Despite this setback, I remain hopeful that with the upcoming financial support, I can finally achieve my dreams."

"In my old age, I rely on my elderly children to provide for me finances to venture into agriculture in my 2 acre farm. I was happy when I had planted maize in my farm and was hopeful that I would be able to get some food and also money to cater for other basic needs in the house. When floods hit our village, I unfortunately lost all maize crops. Life is currently difficult because I don't know how I will be able to be food secure in the coming months as we all lost our only source of income to the floods."

"My current living conditions are very bad because I live in a one roomed old and broken-down grass-thatched house. During the rainy seasons, the roof leaks and makes our home very uncomfortable. My family knows we need a better place to live, so we are determined to build a stronger and better house. To reach this goal, we have been saving part of our monthly transfers. So far, we have managed to buy 10 iron sheets, which is an important step in building a stronger home. We need a total of 20 iron sheets and are working very hard to make this dream come true."

"In the coming year and beyond, I aim to save enough to buy dairy cow. I am currently saving $20 every month to reach this goal. I chose cattle rearing because, in addition to multiplying over time, they will also provide me with milk. Since I have school-going children, I plan to sell some of the milk to generate money for their school fees. Additionally, having milk for family consumption will improve our health. These transfers have been a great help, enabling me to provide for my family when my spouse's tailoring job is not sufficient, as there are times when work is scarce. This financial support allows us to maintain stability and work towards a better future."

"When the floods hit my village Longewan, they swept away our maize farm along the shores of the river Perkerra. With farming as our sole source of income for our family of six, I had to shift our cultivation to our compound to ensure we could still provide food for everyone.Now, the challenge we face is irrigating this new farm. The water channels are quite far, so I need to use a water pump. I already own one, but the problem is the high cost of fuel. In a typical month, I have to irrigate five times, which adds up to $40 in fuel expenses. This is a significant burden because I have to take on casual jobs on other farms to raise this money, and those jobs are hard to come by. Sometimes, I even resort to charcoal burning just to make ends meet. It is a tough situation, but I am hopeful that with some adjustments and support, we can navigate through this difficult time and ensure our family's food security without compromising our financial stability."

"I have always dreamed of owning cows for milk production and to help plow my farm. To turn this aspiration into reality, I plan to strategically allocate a portion of my GiveDirectly cash transfers. My first step is to use some of the funds to purchase additional chickens. I will allow these chickens to multiply, increasing their number and value over time. When the flock has grown sufficiently, I intend to trade the chickens for goats. Similarly, I will use transfers to buy more goats, let them multiply, further expanding my livestock holdings. Once I have accumulated a substantial number of goats, I will trade them for cows. Owning cows is crucial to my long-term goals. Not only will I have cows that provide milk to support my family's nutrition and generate income when sold, but also have cows that will help plow my farm. This will greatly improve my agricultural productivity and food security. After acquiring the cows, I plan to save a portion of my future transfers to purchase an ox-drawn plough, which typically costs around $80. This investment will further enhance my ability to cultivate my land efficiently. Achieving this livestock farming dream will be a significant milestone, filling me with immense joy and pride."

"This year, my primary goal is to establish a thriving goat-rearing business. To achieve this, I plan to strategically utilize the GiveDirectly cash transfers to acquire and grow my livestock holdings. I intend to use a portion of the transfers to purchase more chickens and goats. My plan is to allow these animals to multiply and increase in number and value over time. As the chicken flock grows, I will trade them for additional goats. This will allow me to steadily build up a substantial herd of goats, which will serve as the foundation of my livestock farming enterprise. The goats will provide a reliable source of income, as I plan to sell them when needed. This revenue will be used to fund my children's education and support the overall well-being of my family. I am deeply grateful to GiveDirectly for providing me with this transformative opportunity. The cash transfers have empowered me to break the cycle of poverty and create a better future for my family. By prioritizing my children's education and building a sustainable livestock business, I am confident that I can equip them with the tools they need to thrive in the years to come. Through this strategic approach to livestock farming, I am excited about the prospects that lie ahead. The GiveDirectly support has given me the means to turn my aspirations into a reality, paving the way for a more prosperous and secure future for my family."

"As a small business owner, I previously operated a kiosk selling sugar and sardines. However, when I fell ill, the business suffered due to a lack of responsible management in my absence. Upon my return, I found the kiosk on the verge of collapse. While I am still running the kiosk, my focus has now shifted towards a new goal - becoming a livestock farmer. To achieve this, I plan to strategically use my GiveDirectly cash transfers to purchase goats. My strategy is to allow the goats to multiply and increase in number and value over time. Once I have built up a substantial herd, I will then trade the goats for cows. These cows, in turn, will be able to multiply, providing me with a reliable source of milk, offspring, and income when sold. By transitioning towards livestock farming, I am diversifying my income streams and building a more sustainable livelihood. The cows, in particular, will serve as a valuable asset that can be leveraged when needed, offering a safety net for my family"