"The prospect of acquiring a new bed means a lot to me. Sleeping on a sisal-roped bed has caused me discomfort and fatigue, and I see this as an opportunity to have a decent and comfortable sleeping space. Once I have acquired the bed, I plan to continue saving through the merry-go-round club for the education of my eldest child, who is currently in grade 5. In the next two years, he will be entering junior high school, and I anticipate that the educational expenses at that level will be considerably higher than what we can afford with our current income from casual jobs. Supporting his education is not only crucial for his future success but also a means of easing the financial burden on his father and me as we strive to provide for him and his siblings."

"My primary focus right now is to support the education of my son, Karisa. Two years ago, after he graduated from high school, it was a financial challenge for me to send him to college as I lacked the necessary funds. Initially, when I started receiving the cash transfers, I had to prioritize buying food because our family was constantly facing hunger. It was only when we had a good harvest recently that I began saving for my son's education. I'm happy that Karisa has now joined a plumbing college, and I am committed to supporting his education until he graduates in the next two years. While I would have liked to invest in buying goats and expanding my livestock holdings, my son's education is my top priority."

"My goal moving forward is to continue expanding my livestock holdings, especially with goats. I believe that goats are more resilient to the harsh climatic conditions in our region compared to cattle. As I continue buying these animals, I am confident that even after the cash transfers have ceased, the livestock I've acquired with the funds will provide ongoing financial support for my six children’s education."

"Looking forward, my goal is to acquire two bulls for plowing. Having bulls during the planting season is advantageous because they can cover a larger area than manual weeding with a hoe. This season, I had to hire bulls, which was expensive. I aim to have my bulls for future planting seasons. To accomplish this, I hope to channel most of the cash transfers towards acquiring the animals."

"After many years of drought, I am relieved that the current rainy season made farming possible. Therefore, with sufficient food available, my goal is to channel most of the cash transfers towards purchasing goats. I am happy that past cash transfers enabled me to acquire one goat, which has since given birth to a kid. I believe that by continuing to rear goats, I can build up assets that I can sell in the future to meet my needs. Given my age and occasional health issues, I cannot engage in strenuous work. Rearing livestock is a suitable livelihood option for me."

"The biggest difference in my life is that I was able to pay off the school fees arrears promptly, and my children didn't have to waste as much time as before. In the past, they used to stay home for weeks because I had to raise their fees through fundraising from well-wishers and relatives. This was because I solely rely on farming, which yields minimal profit due to the challenging climatic conditions."

"My aspiration is to establish my own tailoring shop, as I possess the necessary skills to operate one proficiently. My target is to kickstart this venture by January, as my current situation of working at someone else's place is not ideal for me. It has been challenging to maintain consistency in my work, as I often do not have the opportunity to fully apply my skills. To make my dream a reality, I am diligently planning to invest in a new sewing machine, which is estimated to cost around $100. I firmly believe that this investment will enable me to become self-employed and self-reliant. Operating my own tailoring shop will provide me with the independence to serve my own clientele and generate a stable income. I am excited about the prospect of putting my skills to practical use, as such opportunities are relatively scarce in our region. With this endeavor, I am not only pursuing financial stability but also fulfilling my passion and contributing positively to my community through my expertise in tailoring."

"I currently have two sons enrolled in high school, and it has been quite a challenge to meet their tuition fees. In the past, I struggled to pay their fees on time, which put them at risk of being discontinued from school. Unfortunately, I do not have any additional income that could have made it easier for me to cover their educational expenses. While my other children would have liked to assist, they also have their own families to support. My primary objective is to ensure that my children can continue their education despite my financial constraints. The monthly transfers I receive provide me with the assurance that I need to pay for my sons' education on time. This support is crucial for them to complete their high school education and ultimately achieve their educational goals. I depend on these transfers to make sure they can stay in school and have the opportunity for a brighter future."

"My current residence is quite small and lacks ample space. Currently, I am in the process of saving $20 each month with the goal of constructing a two-room extension, which will require a total of 18 iron sheets. So far, I have managed to purchase 14 iron sheets through the financial assistance I've received. I am sincerely grateful to GiveDirectly for making this possible through their generous transfers. I am optimistic that, as I continue to accumulate savings, I will be able to acquire the remaining iron sheets and the necessary building poles to commence construction. The prospect of having a more spacious house holds immense significance for me, as it means that my children will no longer have to seek shelter from neighbours at night."

"Having successfully achieved my objective of constructing a new house, my next plan involves utilizing my funds to acquire additional goats. I hold the belief that these goats will prove to be a valuable resource in times of financial uncertainty. As a subsistence farmer, my income is not stable or dependable, making livestock ownership a prudent investment choice. I can anticipate selling some of them and generating a supplementary income stream. Additionally, goats are easy to maintain and require less management, further solidifying their appeal as an investment option."