"In the coming months, I have two major goals I want to accomplish once I finish repaying the loan I borrowed. First, I aim to build a new house because the one we currently live in is almost collapsing, and the constant fear of being left homeless is overwhelming. My second goal is to buy bulls that will significantly help with our family activities, as I have been relying solely on my own hands, which is incredibly tiring. Achieving these goals will be a huge relief and improve our quality of life. To make this possible, I plan to use the monthly transfers I receive and my savings from the chapati business I operate. With careful planning and determination, I believe I can turn these aspirations into reality and secure a better future for my family."

"In the coming year and beyond, my primary goal is to start a business of buying and selling goats and chickens once my health is fully restored, as I was unwell some time ago. I plan to use the monthly transfers I receive and seek additional support to get this business off the ground. This new venture will help me address food insecurity, ensuring that I have a stable source of income and nourishment. The thought of no longer having to worry about where my next meal will come from fills me with hope and determination. By the time the support from GiveDirectly ends, I am confident that my business will be thriving, providing me with the security I need. This plan is my pathway to a more stable and prosperous future for my family."

"My goal for the coming year is to utilize the forthcoming transfers and my husband's support to further expand my goat farming. Currently, I have five goats, and I aim to increase their number significantly. As the herd grows, I plan to sell some goats and use the proceeds to purchase a bull, which is essential for ploughing my farm during the rainy season. Having bulls will alleviate the physical strain of ploughing, ensuring that my farm is well-prepared for planting. Also, with the bulls, I am confident that my farm will yield better harvests, providing us with more food and income. This expansion promises a more sustainable future for our family and helps me contribute more effectively to our overall well-being. I believe we can achieve a stable and prosperous future by working hard and staying focused on this plan."

"Crop farming is our main source of livelihood. It is unfortunate that the April flash floods destroyed our farms and crops. The tragedy came with a fair share of challenges, my five acres maize plantation was swept away by the floods. I am now making every effort to put food on the table as well as paying school fees for my two sons in secondary school. I am now relying on charcoal burning to support my loved ones."

"Financial constraints are a real challenge for us right now. As a family of three, we rely on casual jobs like weeding, tomato picking, and charcoal burning just to make ends meet. The $4 we earn daily goes straight towards covering our household expenses such as food and clothing, leaving nothing left over to save. I have been really eager to invest in farming, but our current financial situation makes it difficult to move forward with that dream."

"We were living in a grass-thatch house which was completely destroyed by the flash floods in April 2024. The tragedy left us hopeless and homeless, we are now being hosted by our neighbor. This has affected our daily activities and ability to work for a living. Our life is difficult, we sometimes skip meals or use less preferred food like porridge. Since the tragic incident of flash floods, I have been in and out of hospital. The area is invaded by mosquitoes and therefore malaria is now rampant. It is sad that I have been hospitalized three times in less than two months."

"The recent flooding has presented significant challenges, particularly in accessing essential services. My 2-acre bean farm has been adversely affected, resulting in lower productivity despite salvaging some crops. This setback has also impacted my plan to acquire 3 acres of land in a less flood-prone area. Currently, all roads leading to my home are submerged, necessitating navigation through flooded areas to reach nearby markets."

"My husband and I used to depend on poultry farming to earn a living but the floods that happened about two months ago put us on a loss. We had seventy chicken and all died after being swept away by raging flood water. I had borrowed USD 70 to purchase the chicken but all in vain as I still have the debts to pay and raising that amount is difficult."

"My house was destroyed by the floods, leaving me in an unsafe, dilapidated dwelling that is particularly hazardous during rainy weather. The $2 my daughter earns daily from casual labor on farms is inadequate to cover our family's food and other expenses. Additionally, managing my tuberculosis has become challenging as I sometimes skip medication due to financial constraints, including the cost of transportation and paying for medical services."

"I had used the money from a previous transfer to lease two acres of land. I planted maize for both personal consumption and sale. The entire process cost me about $400, covering the leasing fee, land preparation, planting, and weeding. I was optimistic about a good harvest, but unfortunately, heavy floods destroyed all my crops. This was a big blow as I rely on the crops to support my family of five. Despite this setback, I remained hopeful. With the third transfer, I leased another half-acre on higher ground for $50. I spent $40 preparing the land and planted beans, which should be ready for harvest in two months. I also spent $360 on buying water pipes to draw water from the river to my farm. This will ensure that I can comfortably farm my land without worrying about drought, as we usually experience limited rainfall. It also means that I will not have to spend money on leasing land near the river for farming."