"When I received the final batch of the three transfers, I was battling with my health, but thankfully, I managed to use part of the funds to access the necessary medication costing $50, which helped restore my well-being. With $100 allocated for food, I purchased essential items like a sack of dry maize grains, 10 kg of beans, rice, and milk, ensuring sustenance for my family of three, which sometimes expands when my grandchildren visit. Subsistence farming has become increasingly challenging due to recurrent droughts, prompting us to explore alternative sources of income, including sporadic casual labor opportunities and goat farming, which has become our mainstay. Currently, I oversee a herd of 20 goats, some of which belong to my children. Despite initially intending to purchase three additional goats with $300 from the last transfer, I opted to wait for a potential drop in prices, anticipating that many parents will sell their livestock to cover school fees expenses. Goats, renowned for their resilience and ability to thrive on minimal resources, remain our preferred investment choice, serving as a symbol of gratitude for the support received from GiveDirectly. I am thankful for the assistance and remain optimistic that our plans will materialize as planned."

"After receiving the cash transfer, my biggest dream is to finally build a house of my own. Currently, I share living space with my grandmother, but I long for the freedom and independence that having my own home would bring. To achieve this goal, I've devised a plan where I participate in a merry-go-round with three others, depositing $15 each time I receive my share. This steady saving allows me to accumulate enough money to buy all the necessary building materials at once from the hardware store. With determination and patience, I believe that in the coming year or beyond, I will be able to turn my dream of owning a home into a reality, providing myself with security and a place to call my own."

"For too long, I've been relying on my brother's hospitality for a place to sleep, and it hasn't been easy. But now, with a clear plan in mind, I'm determined to build my own house before the year ends. I've already made some progress. I've managed to save up 12 pieces of iron sheets and 30 building poles. My goal was to gather 14 iron sheets and 40 building poles, and I'm not far off. With hard work and perseverance, I believe I can achieve my dream of having a place to call my own, where I can finally find peace of mind and independence."

"Looking ahead, my goal is to expand my investments by increasing the number of goats I keep. Right now, I have four goats, but I aim to add five more by the end of this year. With a solid savings plan in place, I am confident that I can turn this dream into a reality. By growing my goat herd, I hope to secure a better future for myself and my family, ensuring financial stability and independence in the long run."

"Looking ahead to the coming year, my main goal is to make my home stable and secure. The walls were weakened by the last heavy rain, and it's been a constant worry for me. By June, I aim to renovate the house, strengthening its structure and ensuring it can withstand any future storms. I've started a saving plan, putting aside $15 each month, which I believe will accumulate enough to cover the renovation costs. This project is my top priority, as having a safe and stable home is essential for my family's well-being and peace of mind."

"My goal for the coming year and beyond is to become a successful goat farmer. I'm taking steps toward this dream by starting with chicken farming, knowing that five grown chickens can be exchanged for a goat. Right now, I have two goats, but by the end of this year, I aim to increase my herd by adding three more. With determination and careful planning, I believe I can achieve my dream of expanding my livestock and building a sustainable livelihood through goat farming."

"With the support I received from GiveDirectly, I have big dreams for the future. My goal is to venture into livestock farming, particularly raising goats, as a means of securing my future. To achieve this, I have devised a plan: I am saving $10 each month in a merry-go-round group, and by September 2024, it will be my turn to receive the accumulated funds. This money will serve as the capital to kickstart my goat farming endeavor. I have chosen goats because they are affordable to acquire and maintain, and there's a steady demand for them in the market. I am determined to turn this opportunity into a thriving business that will not only provide for my family but also create a sustainable source of income for years to come."

"I am deeply thankful for the support that has improved my life in old age. This was unexpected since I had never received an unconditional transfer throughout my entire life. Everything went smoothly, and I received all the money as promised by the GiveDirectly staff. I did not encounter any issues or shortcomings in the process."

"I was at home taking an afternoon nap with my 5 children around 3pm when a message arrived. Checking my phone, I discovered that GiveDirectly had sent me money. Overwhelmed with joy, I was ecstatic as this was an unprecedented event in my life. Among my 6 children, 5 are in primary school, and one desires to join college in another town. I am currently unemployed, while my husband works as a tailor away from home but frequently visits us. Immediately, I called my husband to share the good news, and he too was delighted, expressing his eagerness to come home over the weekend to celebrate together. We reside in a two-roomed house, which is insufficient for all of us, especially since all the children share one room. This arrangement becomes uncomfortable for them as they grow older and seek privacy. Unfortunately, my husband's limited earnings are inadequate to build an additional room for our children, causing us mental distress as we anticipate the need for separate sleeping quarters for them. My initial idea was to expand our house with an extra room, allowing the boys and girls to sleep separately. This adjustment would afford them the privacy and independence they require for personal activities."

"We live in a leaky one-roomed house with my husband and 4 children, which is not enough for all of us. Consequently, 4 of my children sleep at their grandmother's house, while I share a space with the youngest, who still breastfeeds. My long-held wish has been for us to sleep together under one roof as a family, but due to space constraints and the children's growing age, it has been challenging. Therefore, I allocated $500 of the transfer towards building a two-bedroom house, fulfilling my dream of having us all together under one roof. Building this house marks a significant achievement for me, and this makes me so proud and confident even when I engage with my fellow parents in the village. Additionally, I used $30 to cover my children's school fees. With schools reopening in January and insufficient savings from the December holidays, this payment was crucial. Now that the fees are settled, I can redirect my earnings towards savings for future needs. As the funds arrived during the holiday season, I designated $20 for buying food and clothing for my children to enjoy Christmas and the New Year. Having new clothes for these occasions is a cherished desire for every child, and it brought them immense joy, lighting up their faces with beautiful smiles."