"In our household, our livestock hold a cherished place in our hearts. However, we face a significant challenge: the lack of proper storage for their feed. Currently, we store the feed on a bare floor, leaving it vulnerable to damage from rain and termites. This has led to inadequate livestock feeds, leading to losses, especially during the prevalent droughts in our area, particularly in the first three months of the year. For instance, we sadly lost around two livestock last year due to hunger. For the coming year, I am planning to sell maize from my one acre of land and use the proceeds to establish a proper storage facility. This will enable me to store the maize stalks after the harvest and feed my three cows during times of scarcity."

"I am aiming to launch a retail shop, despite uncertainties about where the capital will come from. I believe that somehow, by the grace of God, the necessary resources will be provided. This endeavour holds immense significance for me, as it's not just about starting a business; it's about securing a better future for my family. With children in school, the financial strain of their education weighs heavily on me, compounded by the fact that my husband earns through casual labour, which is inconsistent. Establishing this shop will not only enable me to contribute to their education but also ensure that our household needs are met more comfortably. It's a leap of faith, but I'm determined to make it happen, believing that where there's a will, there's a way."

"My current objective is to purchase livestock, especially goats, so that I can breed them and sell them to generate income. As a widow who mainly relies on subsistence farming, I currently have no source of income and believe that owning some goats will be a good investment for me. I currently own seven goats, but my focus is to buy more. My goal is to breed and let them multiply, and I can readily sell the offspring to generate income when I am in a dire financial need."

"Lack of reliable sources of income is the challenge I am currently facing in life. I do casual jobs earning little income that caters for food and school fees. The income is low such that my children sometimes miss classes due to lack of school fees. This has affected their performances."

"Housing is the challenge I am currently facing in life. I live in a one room house which also serves as the kitchen together with my wife. Children have a separate structure though it is not spacious. It has one room. I cannot even accommodate my visitors. Most of the time I seek shelter from neighbors so as to accommodate my visitors whenever they come."

"Life at home has become so tough due to financial constraints. This has made us live a miserable life that has lowered our social status. Looking at our house, it is very small and it can not accommodate us. In addition, getting our meals also has a challenge and sometimes, me might be forced to survive on two or one in a day. For this reason, I usually feel stressed and it is because of this challenge that makes my life harder."

"In the past 1 year, my life has never been the same because of stomach complications. In February 2024, the situation worsened and I was rushed to hospital where I was diagnosed with appendix problem. This forced me to undergo an operation that has made me inactive at work. Since I am a family man, I feel so much depressed to desperately watch my family at home. In addition, I am not supposed to actively engage myself in any activity for a period of eight months. What a stressful life! For this period, I have been depending on well-wishers and this makes my life so tough."

"I plan to continue saving with the savings group, aiming to accumulate enough funds by the end of the year to purchase a bull. This investment will not only aid me in plowing my farm but also potentially generate income by providing plowing services to others. I am immensely pleased with the progress I have achieved with the financial assistance from Give Directly. My quality of life has significantly improved since receiving the transfers."

"With the abundant rainfall, I am eager to expand my farming endeavors, particularly focusing on maize and other short-season crops for quicker returns. Leveraging our herd of over 50 goats, I plan to sell some and utilize the proceeds to rent additional land, thereby doubling our agricultural output in a single season. As a family, our goal is to produce enough food and surplus to cover the school fees for our three children. The empowerment we have experienced over the past three months has been transformative, fueling our belief in our ability to achieve more with adequate capital to support our ideas."

"I am not well, which hinders me from doing any work. So, the only option for me is to rear livestock such as goats. For me, goats are easier to handle in my situation because they do not need much physical energy, and it is easy to graze them around the field, something that I can manage. Rearing goats is the surest source of wealth that I believe will solidify my financial stability even after the cash transfers have ended. Right now, I already have three goats from the transfers. I have been saving $20 every month through a savings group in my community. At the end of the year, I wish to receive a lump sum to acquire as many goats as the funds can afford me to grow my herd."