"When I was enrolled in this program, I knew my life had changed for the better as it was a chance that had never been given to me. And so, I started a cloth-selling business using the previous transfers that I received from GiveDirectly, and growing this business has always been my desire. Currently, my plan is to expand my clothing stock and include a wider variety of clothing as I currently only sell a specific type called leso, which is fast-moving as it is widely worn by many women in our region. To achieve this, I plan to continue investing a portion of my transfers into the business, allowing it to grow and increase my profits. In addition to my business, I own a plot of land that I purchased with previous transfers from GiveDirectly that I have been wanting to develop into something meaningful. Next year, I plan to build rental houses on this plot to create a reliable and sustainable source of income to support my family. For this to come in to realization, I intend to save the profits from my business, allocate a portion of my transfers, and also rely on my son's support to make this dream a reality. Once I accomplish this, I will be incredibly happy, as it has always been my aspiration."

"With my house in such a devastating state, I plan to use the transfers I will receive from GiveDirectly to gradually purchase building materials and eventually construct a new home for my family. This will help us escape the hardship of sleeping in the cold at night and eliminate the need to borrow a place to stay, especially during the rains. Once the house is built, I intend to use my transfers to buy goats, hoping they will multiply and increase in number and value. In the future, my goal is to trade these goats for cows, which will also multiply and provide me with a reliable source of income, particularly when this project comes to an end. I am truly grateful for the support that GiveDirectly is providing me."

"I took a solar light on credit that cost me around $160. To continue enjoying its benefits, I need to make monthly payments, and my plan this year is to repay this debt using the transfers I receive from GiveDirectly. I’m pleased to say that my house is now well-lit, which is a significant improvement. In addition to repaying the debt, I want to save another portion of my transfers in our savings group. Once those savings mature, I plan to use the funds to buy more goats. My hope is that these goats will multiply, increasing in number and value. Eventually, I aim to trade them for female cows, which will also multiply and increase in number and value, hence providing a good source of income, especially once this project comes to an end. I am optimistic that, in the future, I will have something valuable to rely on to support my family."

"I am currently navigating a challenging period in my life after the loss of my wife, who passed away when we had not had any children. Despite this, I have two key goals I want to accomplish. First, I plan to continue saving my transfers from GiveDirectly, along with the profits from my business in my local savings group and access a loan, and use these it as capital for starting a vegetable-selling business that I have always wanted to have. I believe this venture will be transformative, providing me with a daily income to support myself. Once I establish this business, my next goal is to keep saving my transfers, my profits, and my other income from my other hustles and eventually use the accumulated funds to build a house for myself. I envision having a beautiful home that I can take pride in and call my own."

"Ever since my house collapsed due to heavy rains, I have been living in a makeshift shelter, which has been quite disheartening. I often find myself dreaming of having a new home that is comfortable, just like other people in my neighborhood. To make that dream a reality, I've been gradually purchasing building materials using my transfers, with the goal of constructing a new house for my family. This year, I plan to continue buying materials using a portion of my transfers, and I’m excited about the progress I’ve made so far. It feels amazing to see my dream taking shape. Additionally, I intend to save another portion of my transfers in our local savings group. Once my savings mature, I hope to use that money to buy goats. My plan is to let these goats multiply and increase in number and value so that I may use them in the future to take care of my family's needs and also for educational purposes. Once this program comes to an end, I want to have something valuable that I can be proud of."

"I am struggling financially to fend for my family because I do not have any source of income I only depend on my small kitchen garden which is not doing well because people tend to take vegetables on debts and fail to pay back."

"I am struggling financially to cater for my family needs, I have 3/4 piece of land which a leased for five years so that I can get money to facilitate my 3 high school children education because I was not able to cultivate it on my own due to lack of finance. I depend on casual labour and charcoal burning to fend for my family which is not enough because of the high economy in our region."

"I had rented a one-acre plot of land, and after plowing, I got stuck because I didn't have money to complete the land preparation, buy seeds, and start planting. I was expecting some money I had borrowed from someone, but it was delayed, and I was scared of losing the money I had already spent on renting the land and the plowing. Receiving my first transfer from GiveDirectly brought me immense joy. I allocated $100 to finish the land preparation and plant my watermelon crop. Afterward, I received the loan, which helped me maintain the melons, and now they are doing well. My main aim for investing in this crop is to build a house for my family. Currently, we live in a small, one-room grass-thatched house that is not presentable. Additionally, I spent about $80 on food because putting food on the table was a challenge. Relying on casual jobs is difficult because they are inconsistent, and sometimes we went without food. With this money, I bought enough food to sustain us as we wait for our crops to mature. The rest of the money went to buying clothes for my children. Thank you, GiveDirectly."

"My greatest challenge is securing enough money to cover the fees for my two children: one studying at a university and the other in secondary school. The income from farming, which is unpredictable due to drought, isn't adequate to cover both the fees and provide enough food for my family of 6."

"I am going through a tough time right now. One of my biggest challenges is financial instability. Without completing my studies, I lack the certificates needed for formal employment. Instead, I rely on casual jobs where I might earn just $4 on a good day. Unfortunately, these opportunities are scarce, leaving me without income on many days. Three months ago, a flash flood destroyed my maize and tomato farm. I have not been able to recover financially to replant, and it hurts to see my land bare. I do not expect to earn the returns I used to in past years. It is a difficult situation, and I am trying to find a way forward despite these setbacks."