"Since my separation from my husband, I've shouldered the responsibility of caring for my six children, relying primarily on farming as our main income source. With the second transfer, my immediate focus was on improving our living conditions, particularly the leaky roof in our old house that posed challenges during the rainy season. Spending $254 for this purpose, I successfully constructed a decent and secure home for my family. Additionally, $86 went into purchasing a bed and mattress, contributing to an overall enhancement of our living conditions. Recognizing the need for asset diversification, I invested $40 in acquiring a goat. To address pressing needs, $50 was dedicated to school fees, alleviating previous financial constraints. The remaining funds were utilized to procure essential food items. The transfer has not only relieved financial burdens but has also fulfilled my long-standing dream of providing a better living environment for my family. I am truly grateful for this transformative opportunity."

"Amidst the current economic situation, I have ambitious plans for both the farm and the construction of a new house. These two endeavors are interconnected, as the proceeds from the farm will fund the purchase of construction materials. My plan is to commence construction in early January, leveraging the harvest of maize. Depending on the quality and quantity of the produce, I will determine the size of the house I can afford to build for my family of four. This strategic approach aligns my agricultural and housing goals, ensuring that the success of one venture contributes to the realization of the other, fostering the overall well-being of my family."

"Looking into the coming year and beyond, my aspiration is to delve further into cash crop farming, specifically focusing on fruits. Currently, I have taken the initial steps by planting 11 mango seedlings. The choice of mangoes is deliberate, considering their resilience in thriving even during dry seasons, and the substantial productivity they offer once they start bearing fruits. This venture into fruit farming aligns with my long-term goals, aiming for sustainable agricultural practices that contribute to both economic stability and the productivity of the land. I am optimistic that the cultivation of mangoes will prove to be a fruitful endeavor, providing a valuable source of income in the future."

"In the upcoming year, amid various responsibilities as a single mother, my primary goal is to venture into poultry farming as an additional source of income for my family. Despite a previous setback due to poor management practices, resulting in the loss of all the poultry, I have learned valuable lessons and identified the best breed for success. Despite the challenges, I remain committed to meeting all my obligations and ensuring that I provide for my children's education. Poultry farming presents a promising opportunity to enhance our financial stability, and I am determined to apply the lessons learned to make this venture successful for the benefit of my family's well-being and my children's education."

"Upon receiving the second transfer, my first priority was investing in construction materials for a new house, and I spent $150 on purchasing 15 iron sheets. The transportation cost incurred to bring them home from the shopping center amounted to $20. Anticipating the need for construction poles, I made an initial payment of $60 and am currently awaiting their delivery, understanding that it may take more than a week due to the distance. With the goal of expanding my farming activities in the upcoming year, I made a lease payment of $100 for an acre of land closer to the stream. This strategic location aims to enhance sustainability with the ongoing rainfall. Additionally, in preparation for furnishing the yet-to-be-constructed house, I spent $50 on furniture, acquiring 5 plastic chairs and a table. I used a sum of $16 on foodstuff, including maize and sugar, to sustain my current family of three. The remaining funds were used to purchase clothes and other household goods, preparing for the upcoming Christmas celebrations with my family."

"Currently, our reliance has been on subsistence farming, which is not consistently productive, and livestock farming to complement our practices, especially during harsh weather conditions. Looking ahead to the coming year, I have a grandchild preparing to transition to secondary school after completing the final primary school examination. With this in mind, my plan is to allocate a portion of the next transfer to cover the initial admission costs. Additionally, I aim to enhance my farming practices, capitalizing on the sufficient rainfall and utilizing irrigation from nearby seasonal streams to facilitate a better harvest. At the moment, I am focused on cultivating half an acre where I intend to plant maize, hoping for a substantial yield. The surplus from this harvest will be sold to cover subsequent school terms, ensuring continued support for my grandchild's education. This comprehensive approach reflects my commitment to both immediate and long-term needs within my family."

"Looking ahead, my primary goal is to address the inadequate and poorly conditioned kitchen structure. With its state, it allows water seepage during rain, creating a damp and inconvenient cooking environment. From our casual labors, my husband and I have not been able to obtain funds to construct a new structure, since what we get barely puts daily food on the table. Despite ongoing financial challenges, including school fees for my son, my plan involves initiating savings from the transfers to acquire building materials such as iron sheets and building poles for the construction of a more stable kitchen structure."

"My primary goal with the cash transfers is to invest in the education of my children. Two of them are currently in high school, and by the time the transfers conclude, they will have completed their high school education. Over the next three years, I plan to utilize the cash transfers primarily to cover their school fees. The income from my motorbike taxi business is insufficient to support the education of all seven children, making the cash transfers a crucial resource in sustaining their educational journey. I am extremely grateful to GiveDirectly for its impactful charity efforts, providing support that I have not witnessed elsewhere."

"My primary focus is to have built a house by the time the cash transfers conclude. Since my separation from my husband, I returned to my maternal home and have been staying in my brother's house. Throughout this period, generating sufficient funds through my charcoal-making business to build a house has been challenging. The cash transfers present an opportune moment to address this need. I have been saving the majority of the money to purchase building materials for a one-room house. Once the house is complete, I aspire to venture into livestock keeping, particularly goats. With a stable source of income lacking, selling the livestock in the future could provide financial support for my basic needs, such as food."

"My primary focus remains on buying and installing a water storage tank at home. This goal has been consistent since I began receiving cash transfers, and I've been diligently saving toward its realization whenever possible. Water scarcity has been a persistent issue in my household, especially during droughts, necessitating long walks to obtain water. Acquiring a water tank would be a sustainable solution to this problem. While my income from traditional medicine primarily covers basic needs, I am grateful that the cash transfers are bringing me closer to achieving this goal. Depending on the funds accumulated by mid-next year, I plan to purchase a water tank based on that amount."