"In the upcoming year and beyond, my main focus is to ensure my son's success in his university studies, where he is pursuing a Bachelor of Education. Every day, I dedicate myself to supporting his educational journey, from managing our budget to making sure he has all the resources he needs. I hope that by providing him with a stable foundation, he will excel in his studies. As he completes his degree, I envision him using his education to make a positive impact in our community, inspiring future generations."

"In the coming year and beyond, my greatest hope is to focus entirely on educating my three children. I believe that education is the key to unlocking a brighter future for them, so I am determined to provide them with the best opportunities I can. Starting now, I plan to set aside a portion of every transfer I receive to cover their school fees, buy their books, and ensure they have everything they need to succeed. As each month passes, I will work tirelessly to keep them in school, guiding them to reach their full potential. My ultimate goal is to see them graduate, stand on their own, and lead independent, successful lives. By dedicating myself to their education, I know I am paving the way for a better future not just for them, but for our entire family."

"In the upcoming year, my main goal is to renovate the roof of my house. Currently, the roof is leaking badly, making it difficult for me to sleep peacefully, especially during the rainy season. I dream of having a strong, secure roof over my head so I can rest easy, knowing I am safe and dry. To achieve this, I need 20 pieces of iron sheets, and each piece costs $12. I plan to buy at least two iron sheets every month, slowly but steadily gathering all the materials I need. By the end of next year, I aim to have a new roof that will protect me and give me peace of mind."

"My main goal for the upcoming year is to expand my livestock, particularly goats and sheep. These animals are a great fit for me because they are affordable, easy to care for, and can withstand harsh climatic conditions, which is important given the unpredictable weather in my area. Currently, I have five goats, and they have proven to be a valuable investment for my family. I plan to gradually grow my herd by acquiring more goats and sheep. I will allocate a portion of each monthly transfer I receive to gradually purchase these animals. In the years to come, I aim to have a sizable herd that can provide us with meat and generate income from selling some of them. Looking ahead, I envision a prosperous livestock business that will ensure a secure future for my family, enabling us to weather tough times and eventually explore other investment opportunities."

"My goal for the upcoming year is to buy more goats to secure my family's future. Currently, I have seven goats, and they have become a vital part of our livelihood. However, I realize that I need more goats to ensure that we have something to rely on even after the GiveDirectly program ends. By steadily increasing my herd, I can build a sustainable source of income and food for my family. Each month, I will save a little from what I receive to buy more goats, one at a time. With every new goat, I am taking a step toward self-sufficiency, ensuring that when the program is no longer there, my family won't struggle. I hope that, over time, this small investment will grow into a stable foundation for us, providing us with peace of mind and a better life long after the support has ended."

"When we received the unconditional cash transfer, my husband and I sat down to carefully plan how we would spend it. We prioritized household necessities, and the first thing we did was allocate $58 to buy a 3-seater sofa set. As a young family just starting out, we had been dreaming of replacing our plastic chairs with something more comfortable and welcoming. This sofa set was a significant upgrade for our living space. I then used $60 to purchase a bed and a mattress. This was particularly important for us because we often have siblings visit during the holidays. Having a proper bed for them ensures that they have a comfortable place to rest. After that, I spent $20 on a phone for my husband. This investment has been great in helping us stay connected, especially when he’s away for work. It has made communication between us much easier and more reliable. I used $10 to buy new utensils and $15 to purchase a table, which has made our daily meals more enjoyable. To ensure we had enough food, I spent $17 on half a bag of maize. I am glad that the money has greatly improved our quality of life and brought us a step closer to creating a comfortable and stable home environment."

"In the coming year and beyond, my primary focus is on building a spacious one-room house with a verandah. Our current house is quite small, and with two boys who are quickly approaching adulthood, it's becoming clear that they will soon need their own space and privacy, especially to have a room where they can relax and spend time with their friends. Right now, this isn't possible since we all share the same room. To make this dream a reality, I joined a merry-go-round savings group, where I diligently save $20 each month toward building this new house. I'm grateful that I’ve never missed a payment, thanks to the consistent support from GiveDirectly. I truly appreciate the financial assistance they’ve provided. Once the new house is built, my husband and I will move into it, leaving our current home for the boys. I'm optimistic that we will achieve this goal, especially with the strong support from my spouse."

"I am currently in college, and since this is my final year, I want to focus on my studies. I plan to use my transfers to gradually purchase the necessary items to ensure a seamless stay at school. I am confident that if I achieve good grades, I will likely secure a job. However, if that doesn’t happen, I also have the option to open my own carpentry workshop. Once I finish college, I aim to establish my own workshop, which will allow me to earn an income to support myself and my younger siblings who are still in school. Additionally, I am working towards building my own house and have already started buying iron sheets to achieve this goal. Each month, when I receive my transfer, I use part of it to buy iron sheets and the rest to support my stay in school. I am very grateful for the financial support from GiveDirectly."

"With the support from GiveDirectly's first transfer. I allocated $50 towards my son's school fees and $45 for my daughter's fees to reduce their arrears, which initially totaled about $500. Given that I had been depending on charcoal and crop farming for income, losing 2 acres of my 2.5-acre maize crop to floods was devastating. The remaining 0.5 acres are still being harvested, but I expect to get only about 3 bags of maize instead of the 80 bags I had hoped for, leaving me with a $300 loan. Additionally, I spent $64 on a bed and mattress for my children, as they had been sleeping on the floor, which was risky due to snakes. I used the remaining funds to buy food to sustain us for some time. Thank you, GiveDirectly."

"My phone was out of charge at the time of transfers and word was already out in the village that GiveDirectly has sent out money. Curious, I collected my phone early the next day and to my excitement I was among the beneficiaries. I happily headed to the market where I fulfilled my plan of purchasing 2 goats."