"The aspect that is making my life harder currently is sickness. Over the past few months I was diagnosed with typhoid and I have not recovered well despite the medicine that I received. This has been made worse by the lack of food in my house and since I have to work to eat I have been forced to go hungry without food. I have to struggle to walk for about 3 kilometers to where my daughter is married to get food to cook which is made worse by my current condition."

"My life is full of challenges because of my old age. However, the most pressing challenge I'm facing at the moment that is making my life harder is the lack of food. We have not had enough rains in the past three years which has led to the unproductivity of our farms. I have been forced to depend on food from the market which is quite expensive. Even though my children struggle to purchase food for me it might not be enough to feed me and my husband for many weeks. This has affected me psychologically since I feel if it were not for my age I would fend and provide for my family. At the moment I have to skip some meals which is very difficult."

"The aspect that makes my life harder recently is the lack of food. This has been prompted by the prolonged droughts which has taken about 3 years. This has led to my inability to harvest crops from my farm since it dries up due to lack of water. This affects me a great deal because I'm forced to go hungry sometimes and also not have enough food whenever I manage to eat. This saddens me so much since I take care of my grandchildren and I hate to see them going hungry."

"I am a Form 2 dropout and since I do not have the specific skills to get a job, I have remained a housewife for the last 7 years. Since I have a family of 5, it has added a burden on me and I mostly work as a casual laborer to get some cash. In addition, my husband is polygamous, and taking care of the two families challenges him. In a month, he usually sends me $20 for upkeep. Considering that I have 2 children in school, planning for this money requires a tough decision. Sometimes, I am forced to forfeit meals and support my children in school. For this reason, I have always been depressed. Hence, I consider financial instability as what stands out to be my biggest challenge."

"I deeply cherish and value the fact that Give Directly provides us with direct monetary assistance, bypassing intermediaries such as chiefs and other government entities. Involvement from these parties could have potentially complicated the process and hindered our ability to receive equal shares as we have seen before. It is truly a privilege to be entrusted with a substantial amount of money and to be given an opportunity to explore our individual financial potential, irrespective of our social status, educational background, or gender. This demonstrates a remarkable level of trust and allows us to chart our own path towards financial empowerment."

"Over the next two years, my main aspiration is to construct a better and more stable house for my family. Our current structure is unstable and due to the ongoing rains, I fear it may not withstand the rains much longer. To work towards this goal, I have been diligently saving a portion of the previous cash transfers, and I plan to continue doing so until I have accumulated enough funds to purchase the necessary building materials. Providing my children with a secure and comfortable living environment is of utmost importance to me. I also have a long-term goal of acquiring livestock such as cows and goats. These animals can serve as a valuable asset and a potential source of additional income for our family. If we encounter any financial challenges, such as a lack of school fees, I can consider selling some of the animals to cover these expenses and other needs that may arise."

"Initially, I had a strong desire to start my own vegetable-selling business. However, when my husband lost his job, it became difficult for us to gather the necessary funds to get the business off the ground. Additionally, with our main source of income disrupted, I have had to allocate the cash transfers we receive toward covering the basic needs of our household. Although the current circumstances have temporarily hindered this plan, I maintain hope and resilience in working toward achieving it. My ultimate goal is to see my children through all elementary levels of education and I believe that the proceeds from this venture will help fund the education of my children."

"My husband and I look forward to completing the purchase of two acres of land. The cost of one acre is $500, so acquiring two acres would require a total of $1,000. At present, our family is living on my uncle's compound, and we appreciate the support he has given us. However, my spouse and I have always held a dream of having our piece of land where our children can grow up and thrive. Once we have secured the land, our next step is to build a house for our children."

"If circumstances were different, and hunger was not a concern in my household, I had planned to use the cash transfers to invest in livestock and further accumulate my wealth that could help support my family. Through previous cash transfers, I have been able to set aside some funds and secured three goats, and I aim to expand my herd. The ongoing rains provide hope for a bountiful harvest, and I am pleased with this opportunity to utilize the cash transfers in securing additional goats. I believe that livestock rearing is a valuable asset that can contribute to the financial stability and well-being of my family."

"I aim to acquire livestock and support the education of my five children. I strongly believe that education is the key to their future, and I want them to excel academically. Witnessing them graduate with better qualifications would bring me immense happiness and pride. Supporting their education would also alleviate the pressure off my husband's shoulders. Working as an office assistant, his salary hardly covers all the household needs. So, am confident that as these animals reproduce, I could sell them to meet the needs of my family and improve our financial situation. I am truly grateful for the cash transfers, as they have made a significant difference in our lives and provided us with much-needed support."