"We are a family of 6, all our 4 children are school going. It is an uphill task fending for them mostly raising school fees. We are people of little means who try to make a living by doing menial jobs that is hardly sufficient to meet even the basic of our needs. We have sold nearly all the cows we had, recently we sold the only one which was still remaining. It has been a huge problem.The schools are opening in two weeks time and that means we will be required to pay the third term school, it gives us headache and sleepless nights since we have no idea where the school fees will come from."

"In the coming years and beyond, my primary goal is to persist in expanding my cow herd. I foresee a promising future in this endeavor. Beyond aiding us in meeting educational expenses, it will also serve as a source of income during our later years, allowing my spouse and me to retire from the demanding task of charcoal burning. This shift towards cattle rearing carries the potential for greater financial security and a more comfortable retirement."

"Upon receiving my first cash transfer, I promptly allocated $156 to construct proper shelters for my goats. This involved purchasing posts, chain links, and covering labor costs. The previous shelter was in poor condition, plagued by ant infestations and structural weaknesses that endangered the safety of the young goats. Additionally, there was a risk of them straying and falling prey to wild animals during the night. This improvement has brought me peace of mind, allowing me to sleep soundly knowing that my goats are safe and secure. To support my spouse's personal needs, I gave him $200, and I'm pleasantly surprised that he used it to buy a goat and clothing. I used the remaining funds to secure food for myself and my spouse since our kids are grown, independent adults with families. Ensuring a stable food supply is essential, as my income from selling tomatoes in the village is unreliable and barely covers our necessities. This investment in food guarantees our sustenance and prevents hunger"

"In my opinion, GiveDirectly has made a positive impact by providing substantial transfers that allow us to undertake significant projects with the potential for good rewards, such as farming, business ventures, and livestock rearing. The transfers have significantly elevated our living standards as a village, transforming our lives for the better."

"Having achieved the goal of building a house and acquiring proper bedding with the help of previous cash transfers, my next focus is on acquiring livestock. Specifically, I am aiming to buy a female goat, as I believe it will reproduce and help expand my wealth. In the past, I could not save up for livestock because I was prioritizing building the house and meeting other immediate household needs like food and school fees. Now that the house is complete and we have a harvest coming in from our farms, I see an opportunity to invest in goats. I am hoping to buy at least three goats and let them reproduce."

"My immediate goals are to establish a business and acquire a goat. Currently, I possess two goats, and I aim to increase this number to at least four. I also aspire to launch a vegetable-selling venture. This business would not only contribute to the household income but also provide a sustainable source of revenue even after the cash transfers cease. Given my current financial constraints, I am optimistic that by consistently saving from the transfer funds, I can turn these aspirations into realities. With the savings, I hope to gather the necessary resources to achieve these goals."

"Upon the arrival of my transfer, I deliberated on utilizing the funds to obtain a goat, a prudent choice that not only secures the money but also offers an appreciating investment. As a result, I invested $38 in acquiring a goat and spent $92 funds towards purchasing building materials, aimed at constructing a more durable house to replace the grass thatched one I had been residing in. Financial limitations had previously posed obstacles to achieving this. My livelihood primarily relies on casual labor, harvesting honey, and vending charcoal. Being single, my financial responsibilities are solely my own. I am sincerely thankful that I am now the owner of a goat, marking a meaningful step forward."

"Currently, my focus is on expanding my goat herd and continuing with rearing. I have already managed to acquire three goats through previous transfers. While I would have loved to start a business that could generate income even after the cash transfers end, my time is mostly occupied with tending to my livestock in the field and other household tasks. My primary aim is to grow my goat herd and build more wealth. I hope that by doing so, I can sell these animals in the future to cover various household needs, including supporting the education of my five grandchildren."

"I aspire to build a better and more dignified living space for my family. Currently, our house has a grass-thatched roof, and I would like to upgrade it to a structure with a tin roof. I have concerns about the long-term durability of the grass-thatched roof on my house, which could potentially lead to leakage issues. This is why I aspire to own a house with iron sheets, as they are more reliable and less prone to deterioration over time. And, this would greatly improve our living conditions. To achieve this goal, I am focusing on my chicken-rearing efforts. I currently have three breeding chickens, and once their chicks mature, I plan to sell them to obtain funds for building materials to improve our home."

"Upon discovering that GiveDirectly would be providing me with funds, I recognized the potential for this to be the most advantageous investment for my family and myself. My livelihood relies on a combination of farming and raising goats to meet our needs. Although I am blessed with four children, my wife resides in a different location where I also own land. Consequently, I made the decision to prioritize the acquisition of four goats, aiming to multiply them for increased profits. This strategic move led me to spend $210 towards their purchase. Subsequently, I directed $100 towards school fees, and the remaining funds were dedicated to procuring food supplies, a luxury that was previously inaccessible due to financial constraints. The feelings of joy and gratitude are overwhelming as we have witnessed the assistance significantly elevate our living standards within a remarkably short timeframe."