"In the coming year and beyond, my primary focus is to invest in cattle rearing. Owning a cow is a great idea because it provides a significant source of income, which can be used for meaningful projects. I am pleased to share that I have already purchased a male cow with my previous savings. My goal now is to buy a female cow, as this will allow me to have a steady supply of milk and also benefit from the cow’s ability to reproduce. I enjoy rearing cows because they are relatively easy to manage and not overly expensive to maintain. I am truly grateful to GiveDirectly for enabling us to form a savings group, or "chama," which helps us save and share ideas that contribute to community development."

"My current house has mud walls, and despite my ongoing efforts to maintain it, the persistent rains have made it clear that frequent repairs are both challenging and costly. I’ve always wished to provide a stable and secure house for my family, which is why I’ve decided to save my transfers and begin building a new, more durable three-roomed house with a verandah. This decision fills me with optimism and excitement, knowing that this new permanent house will not only offer shelter but also comfort and stability for my loved ones. It’s a significant step toward a brighter future, and I’m eager to see my family thrive in our new house. To achieve this, I plan to save diligently, not only from my transfers but also from the profits of my broiler chicken business. I’ve also opened a bank account specifically to save for this goal. With careful planning and perseverance, I’m confident that we will soon enjoy the security and comfort of our new house."

"My goal in the coming year and beyond is to purchase a mattress. After successfully buying a wooden bed, I now want to get a mattress to improve my comfort. For a long time, I have been sleeping on the bare, uncarpeted floor on top of a sack, which has led to severe back pains and discomfort. To achieve this goal, I plan to save a portion of my transfers next month and use it to purchase the mattress. I am appreciative of the financial support that is helping me achieve my set goals in life."

"My goal in the coming year and beyond is to use my subsequent transfers to purchase livestock, particularly goats. I believe that rearing livestock can lead me to financial freedom, as goats have the ability to multiply quickly. This will allow me to grow my herd and eventually sell some in the future to generate income. With farming becoming increasingly unreliable due to harsh climatic conditions, I see livestock rearing as a more dependable path to financial stability. I am confident that this approach will help secure my financial future, even beyond the five years of financial support. I am truly appreciative of the financial assistance, which is helping me improve my life and work towards my goals."

"My house was partially destroyed by floods. Although some materials were salvageable, the house was in a poor state. Before receiving the transfers, we had lived in a temporary tent outside our compound for a month because we had no other option. Once I received the money, my priority was to secure better shelter for my family. I spent $40 on demolishing the damaged house and building a one-roomed, muddy-walled house where we now live. I’m grateful to GiveDirectly for this support. In addition to the house, I had lost all my maize crops to the floods at a farm; I was expecting more than 20 bags of maize. My farm was submerged, and water is still lying on it. With food being essential, obtaining it became almost a nightmare. My wife and I worked hard through charcoal production and casual jobs to meet the needs of our three children. I used part of the transfer to buy enough food, spending a total of $64 to ensure we had something to put on the table. Furthermore, most of our clothes were also destroyed in the floods, so I spent $60 to buy new clothes for everyone in my household. To ensure sustainability, I invested $13 in preparing and planting a kitchen garden with black nightshade. We have already started harvesting and selling from the garden, earning about $15 so far, which has helped with our daily needs."

"Using part of my first transfer to invest in crops has given me a sense of pride and empowerment as a woman. For many years, I depended on support from my husband, but now I’m taking steps to contribute on my own. After losing our maize crops, I look forward to harvesting the beans. The income from the harvest will not only help me reinvest in more crops but also provide for our needs and support my husband for once. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for giving me this opportunity"

"For the longest time, I had wanted a sofa but could never afford one. I admired sofas in other people’s homes, but my priorities and income never allowed me to save up for one. Now, I finally have it. During the day, when I’m tired, I can comfortably lie on my sofa. I still can’t believe I have it. Thank you, GiveDirectly!"

" I was at home with my husband, busy with my house duties, when I heard a message notification on my phone. I handed the phone to my husband to check, and he confirmed that we had received the transfer from GiveDirectly. We were so happy, but we didn’t rush into spending it. Instead, we decided to sit down the next day and carefully discuss how to use the money wisely."

"A few months ago, heavy rains caused flash floods that destroyed our children's sleeping room. Our main house also flooded, but it wasn’t damaged. My husband, our five children, and I had to sleep together in the main house. Having both boys and girls under one roof—especially with our oldest being 18 years old—was an uncomfortable situation. I used my first transfer to start building a new room for the boys. Though the house isn't complete yet, the transfer has given us hope and a clear path to better living conditions. We're still all together in the main house, but knowing that the new room is being built gives us a sense of relief and anticipation for the privacy and comfort it will bring once finished."

"Our area was severely flooded, causing extensive damage to my home and sweeping away my 5 hectares of maize and butternut. I felt deeply embarrassed and stressed, with no place to stay. I decided to relocate and rent a house at a nearby center. Life became very difficult, but receiving this unconditional cash gave me a glimmer of hope. Now, I have enough food at home, which has alleviated some of my stress. My son is comfortably attending school. Without GiveDirectly’s support, I fear I might have fallen into a deep depression, as I cannot bear seeing my children suffer while I have the ability to work and earn money. I am sincerely happy and thankful, and I feel close to overcoming poverty, especially when I receive the second transfer."