"Before receiving the transfer, I was doing poultry farming where I kept both layers and broilers. Since it was a drought season, I over-relied on the business to the extent it was collapsing. Upon receiving the transfer, it was a huge boost because I revived it. I bought 150 chicks for $150 and two sacks of starters to feed them for $100. Currently, the business is doing well and I am optimistic that it will enable me to cater to my family's basic needs. After that, I paid $200 in school fees for my six children. One of them is in college, two are in secondary school and three are in primary school. I am happy that I managed to settle the fee arrears that were giving me sleepless nights."

"My main concern is for my children's education because it is the best investment. In order to help them secure a successful life in the future, I want to make sure they receive a quality education. I shall be guaranteed to be taken care of in my old age if they are successful. They must be independent for this to be feasible, and education is the route to independence."

"Before withdrawing the money, my wife and I sat to deliberate on how we could use the transfer on. We subdivided the amount into three dockets that are; for the renovation of our house, boosting our business, and for agriculture. For the renovation, we used $180 to put a plywood ceiling into our house as well and did some painting. We are happy as a family that we now stay in a nice-looking house. Thereafter we spent $200 to buy more stock for our chemist business. We opted to do this because we were unable to meet most of our customers' demands since most medicines are expensive. Therefore using the stated amount, we were able to stock most of the drugs which have a higher demand. As of now, the business is doing well and our clients are certified. For the agricultural docket, we used $100 to construct a mini fishpond of 4 square meters. The aim of this was to grow some fish for family consumption. We bought 200 fingerlings which are now growing. For the remaining amount, we bought some food for the family."

"Over-relying on charcoal making and casual jobs makes me raise minimal income that cannot sustain the family unless I get external financial support. Therefore, for the rest of this year, I have developed a goal of keeping domestic fowl. I will be able to get free eggs from the flock, and I will be able to sell some when they're mature to supplement my income. In addition, I plan to purchase goats and possibly a cow. They are valuable live assets that go a long way in enhancing my living standard. In fact, with a herd of goats, I will not be worried about raising school fees for the children in the primary level of study."

"With my monthly transfer, I have developed a goal of capitalizing on livestock keeping. I consider this a long-term investment as well as an ideal saving plan. It can help my children in terms of raising their fees in the long run. This will help reduce my stress of raising my children's school fees as they progress with their studies since I have a dismal income. Although my parents were too poor to educate me, I always regret why I missed formal education. However, I would not wish my children to experience the same situations. Therefore I go out of my way to ensure that they get the advisory and other support a mother should give. Thanks to GD for the cash transfer that has awakened my dreams."

"I have desired to have food security for the family. Due to the climate change that has resulted in unpredictable rain patterns, providing for the basic needs of my family of six, like food, is a challenge for me. After receiving my recent transfer, I invested $200 in crop farming by leasing an acre of land where I grow maize for family use. Currently, I am glad to have harvested nine bags of maize, which are enough to feed the family for a year. In addition, I spent $200 on school fees for my four children, all of whom attend private school. I am relieved that they are no longer missing classes, as they were previously. Lastly, I used the remaining amount to construct a separate kitchen for the family. Earlier, we were preparing food in our small house, which also served as a bedroom, sitting room, and kitchen at the same time."

"I currently sell chicken and so far I am left with 20 chickens but unfortunately my chicken selling business is not really doing well. So I am planning to leave that business and start a new one that will earn me enough money to better my life and my families life.I want to save enough to open a new kiosk where I will be able to sell wheat and oil. I do not want to start my business at my village because there are not enough people there to support my business. To enable me make a sizable profit, I will create a space and offer them to my neighboring villages. Thank you GiveDirectly for making me believe good things can come"

"My goal for the upcoming year is to complete my present project, which is building a shelter, and then construct a latrine later because the one we currently have is outdated and unsafe."

"I have a son, Naka who is currently in form one. He is my second last born. He demonstrates a lot of commitment to his academic pursuit, and I am optimistic that he will make it in life. Due to his dedication, I developed a goal of focusing on supporting his educational needs even though I struggle to make it through in life. Therefore, throughout the year, I will be setting aside a portion of my transfer for his fee payment. Previously, I had difficulty raising his fees because I am a widow. In addition, I aim to be buying food for the family with the transfers because we are experiencing unusual famine."

"I currently have nine hens, but regrettably, I have not had much luck when it comes to purchasing goat. Therefore I want to buy myself a few farm animals, ideally goats and additional poultry with the money I will get this year in hopes that they would help me out financially in the long run. Apart from that, I have no one to take care of me, and personally I am too old to work to support myself, therefore I will spend the rest of the money on food."