"My plan is to grow my livestock by breeding the animals I currently have and using my monthly transfers from GiveDirectly to purchase more. This approach will help me generate income to support and educate my six school-going children. In the coming year, I intend to focus on expanding my sheep and goat rearing. Once they multiply, I can sell some to cover my children’s school fees. So far, I have purchased three sheep and five goats, and I am thankful for this progress. My spouse and I also burn and sell charcoal to support our family, but the income is minimal. This is why I decided to start a livestock project that will provide additional income in the future."

"My family and I currently live close to River Perkerra, and every rainy season, the river breaks banks and it floods, making it a constant worry for us. We’re always afraid of losing what little we have to the floods. So, when I got the money, I used $400 to buy half an acre of land in an area that doesn’t flood. It felt like a huge step towards a safer, more stable future for my family. Now we have a place where we can eventually build a secure home and leave behind the anxiety that comes with each rainy season. After setting aside money for the land, I spent the rest on food. We were running low on basic household supplies, and it had been a struggle to make meals stretch. This money gave us the chance to stock up on essentials. It’s a relief to have enough food for everyone, and it makes our days easier, knowing there’s enough to eat without worrying about the next meal."

"I used $350 to buy quality tomato seedlings to plant on an acre of land I had prepared. Tomatoes thrive in this region, and with a little care, they can bring in a good price. I’d heard that an acre of tomatoes can bring in up to $5,000, so I saw this as a perfect chance to recover some of the losses I had faced recently and secure a better future for my family. The floods earlier this season had devastated my maize crop on four acres, leaving us without a harvest. I used the remaining $100 from the cash transfer to buy food and household supplies. It was a relief to have the money to do that, as our stores were empty, and I was unsure how I’d support my family until the next harvest. With the food we bought, we managed for about a month and a half, just enough time to focus on the tomatoes and ensure they were thriving."

"My spouse and I agreed to purchase a motorbike on loan. Although it was second-hand, we bought it for $500. My spouse operates the motorbike, and the earnings he makes, combined with a portion of my transfer, go toward repaying the loan. This business also helps cover our family's basic needs. We also have a hotel business that has become more stable thanks to these transfers, so while I’m still caring for our newborn, my spouse is running it. Our top priority for the coming year is to fully repay this loan. Once my child is old enough for me to bring to the hotel, I plan to focus on expanding the business by adding more stock. I intend to use my transfers to make this possible so that when the transfers eventually end, the business will be able to sustain itself through its profits, supporting both my family’s needs and my own."

"I haven’t fully recovered from my chest pain, which started years ago. As a casual laborer supporting my family, it’s difficult to avoid heavy work, especially since that’s mostly what’s available here in the village. To help solve this challenge, I’ve decided to invest in livestock. My goal is to raise goats at home, which I plan to eventually trade for a dairy cow. The cow will provide a steady income, helping me become more self-reliant. Thanks to these transfers, I’ve started buying goats and already have four. To achieve my dream of owning a cow, I’ll keep buying goats and, as they multiply, trade them for a cow. Cows are expensive, so purchasing one all at once is not easy. Additionally, once I have my cow, I’ll sell some of its offspring when it multiplies and use the earnings to start a small shop. I’m confident that if I can bring these plans to life, I’ll achieve financial stability and be able to support my family with ease."

"Now that most of my pressing needs are met and my farming is going well, with plans to expand shortly, my next goal is to restore the household items that were swept away by the floods. I plan to use the final GiveDirectly transfer to buy essential household utensils and furniture, including chairs and a sofa set. The thought of having these items again brings me so much happiness, as it means I will have fully recovered from the recent flooding. Having a complete home once more, with comfortable furniture and the basic items we need, feels like a big step toward a fresh start for my family."

"My plan for this year, and in the years to come, is to invest more in agribusiness, focusing on both crop farming and livestock keeping. By growing this venture, I aim to establish a consistent source of income that will allow me to improve my household’s standard of living. This income will help me cover essential needs like school fees, food, and other immediate household expenses. I intend to use the remaining GiveDirectly transfer to make this dream a reality. Building a meaningful business that can provide stable income fills me with satisfaction and hope. I look forward to the day when I’ll be able to support my family with this venture and continue improving our quality of life."

"This year was not lucky for me as a farmer. My entire maize crop was destroyed when floods completely covered my farm, leaving me with nothing and causing a severe food shortage. As a result, I had to rely on producing charcoal to sustain my family, which has been both exhausting and environmentally damaging. Now that the water has receded, I plan to give crop farming another try. With the final transfer I am set to receive, I will plant beans, and if it succeeds, I hope to stop the tedious charcoal production that I am currently relying on."

"The biggest difference in my life after receiving the transfer is that my children can now sleep comfortably on a mattress. Before, it was a constant worry for me, knowing they were sleeping on a hard wooden bed with no mattress, which made their nights uncomfortable. While I was able to manage other basic needs, the mattress was something I couldn’t afford, and it caused me a lot of stress. Now, seeing my children happy and resting well at night brings me great relief. They wake up refreshed, and I feel peace knowing they have something comfortable to sleep on. This change has made our home feel much warmer and more complete, and I am grateful every day for this simple yet essential improvement."

"I aim to open a shop in the coming year and beyond to fully support my family through the income generated from selling goods. This idea arose from noticing a market gap in our village, where residents often travel long distances to find shops that may not stock what they need. I intend to use the upcoming monthly transfer along with my job savings to establish a large shop that will offer most essential items. I've received guidance from friends in business, and I have a strong passion for managing a shop, which tends to succeed despite challenges. Our area has very few shops, and those that exist have limited selections. As I have three younger siblings and my parents are unemployed and dealing with health issues, all responsibilities rest on my shoulders. Generating extra income from the shop will help alleviate my financial burdens, allowing me to marry and start my own family."