"Here in our community, where subsistence farming is the backbone of survival, I've set my sights on something different. I dream of owning a plowing bull, a simple yet significant step toward stability and progress. With it, I can provide a service, plowing fields for others for a fee. It's a small business idea, but it holds the promise of transforming my life and the lives of those around me. To make this dream a reality, I've committed myself to saving $20 every month. It's not much, but every dollar saved is a step closer to my goal. Beyond the coming year, I see a future where I am not just a subsistence farmer, but a small entrepreneur."

"In the coming year and beyond, my biggest dream is to finally sleep like a king in my own home. Every night, I wrestle with discomfort on a small, creaky traditional bed that leaves me more tired than rested come morning. But now, with the support from GiveDirectly and the savings I've diligently tucked away, I'm on the brink of transforming my sleeping situation entirely. My goal is to buy a modern standard bed and a mattress that will cradle me in comfort and provide the rest I've longed for. It's not just about upgrading my sleeping arrangements; it's about reclaiming my energy, my vitality, and my zest for life. With this newfound comfort, I know I'll wake up each day refreshed, ready to tackle whatever challenges come my way, and finally able to dream without the weight of exhaustion dragging me down."

"As a mother of four children, my biggest challenge has been ensuring that they receive a quality education. Three of my children, aged 4, 5, and 9, have not been able to enroll in nursery school because I have struggled to raise enough funds to support them. The passing of my husband earlier this year in March 2024 has only compounded our difficulties. Now, I find myself needing to work extra hard to provide for our basic needs at home, leaving little to no funds for schooling. My main source of income comes from selling pebbles, but at only $0.4 per bucket, it requires me to gather 4 or 5 buckets just to meet our daily financial needs of $2. This constant physical strain is taking a toll on my health."

"I was at home in the evening, relaxing after spending most of my day on the farm when I overheard my neighbours talking about receiving money from GiveDirectly. When I asked them if this was true, they told me to check my phone. Since I couldn't read the messages, I remembered that GiveDirectly officers had instructed me that only my helper should check for me. I called my helper and gave her the phone to check the messages and confirm if I had also received the money. She informed me that I had indeed received my first transfer, and I was overjoyed when she handed the phone back to me. All I wanted was to build a house for my younger children, who had been struggling to find a place to sleep and seek shelter from their friends at night. I was concerned that they might end up in the wrong company."

"As a single mother raising two children, my most pressing challenge is the impact of unemployment on providing for my family's needs. Since January 2024, I have been unable to secure employment, making it increasingly difficult to afford my children's education, including their school fees. Previously, I worked as a teacher at the Madeteni Nursery School, which unfortunately closed due to low enrollment and the financial constraints of parents. This closure significantly affected my ability to provide for my children's education. I am required to pay $30 every term for school fees and $4 daily for food and other essential daily needs for my children, and this has become increasingly challenging due to my unemployment."

"My 4 children are yet to report to school, a week after the opening date. Moreover, my first born daughter failed to join secondary school in January this year, due to lack of finances to pay their fee. $70 would change this hardship but I am jobless. The $20 I earn from charcoal burning in a month can barely sustain my family of 7 with food, let alone other basic necessities and education."

"I want to express my gratitude to Give Directly for the financial support that helped me buy a motorbike. Now, I'm self-employed and feeling grateful. The daily income from my work brings me peace of mind because I can provide for my family. I took a loan for the motorbike and now pay it back in small installments every month from my Give Directly transfers. Before Give directly ,life used to be tough when I had no steady income and had to rely on unreliable casual jobs. I still owe $80 on the loan, so in the upcoming year and beyond, my main focus will be on paying it off."

"From as far back as I can recall, my ultimate dream has been to build a home. The sight of my modest house, close to collapse, served as a powerful drive for action. Fueled by determination, I embarked on a journey of saving every penny from my transfers, methodically acquiring building materials bit by bit. It's been a journey defined by unwavering commitment and relentless perseverance, and the joy of witnessing tangible progress towards realizing my lifelong aspiration knows no bounds. As the final touches are placed on my new home, I'm filled with a profound sense of accomplishment and gratitude. It's a testament to the power of persistence and the belief that dreams, no matter how difficult, are within reach with dedication and hard work. With the foundation of my home firmly laid, I'm already looking ahead to the next chapter. Livestock farming beckons, and I envision investing in goats with the hope of their multiplication The plan to eventually trade goats for bulls, essential for farming activities, represents a strategic move towards financial stability and self-sufficiency. This isn't just about raising animals; it's about securing a sustainable source of income for my family."

"As a businesswoman, the profits generated from my business endeavors are dedicated solely to meeting our family's daily needs. This division of resources allows for a structured approach: business earnings for immediate requirements and transfers for long-term investments. This strategy aims to establish a solid foundation for our family's prosperity, with education expenses for our children also factored into the equation. Utilizing my initial savings from the merry-go-round, I made a significant investment by purchasing a cow. This is just the beginning; my intention is to continue saving and gradually acquire more cows. I hold a positive outlook, believing that these cows will not only multiply but also become a sustainable source of income for my family. Whether through selling them or utilizing bulls for land ploughing services, I envision a future where our livelihood is bolstered by the success of our livestock ventures, ensuring financial stability. There's a sense of determination and hope driving these decisions, rooted in the desire to secure a better future for our family"

"Embarking on livestock farming, particularly raising goats, has been a lifelong aspiration of mine. Currently, I've taken the first steps by acquiring some goats and initiating a poultry venture with the chickens I purchased, in hopes that the chickens will multiply and I can trade them for goats. In my eyes, goats represent more than just livestock; they're akin to a form of financial security. Like a savings account, they offer a safety net for unforeseen expenses. Knowing that I can rely on them in times of need brings a sense of reassurance for my family's future.The upcoming transfers will be strategically allocated towards acquiring additional goats, further solidifying our position in livestock farming. This investment isn't just about accumulating assets; it's about safeguarding our family's well-being and ensuring a smooth journey for my grandchildren through their education."