"Food scarcity is the challenge I am currently facing with my family. I have a shop kiosk selling shop items on small scale. The business is down such that I can spend the whole day without selling anything. I depend on the profit for family consumption but when the contrary happen then the family goes without food. This has happened more often."

"After receiving the first payment of $200 from GiveDirectly, I decided to spend it to benefit my family. I spent the majority of the money, $152, to purchase essential food items. I bought a sack of dry maize grains, 20kg of beans, and sugar, ensuring that my family of three would have an ample food supply. This provision is crucial for our well-being and will hopefully sustain us for about a month before we need to restock. In addition,I spent $30 to clear the hospital bill for my son, who was unwell at the time. This amount covered the expenses for medication and the necessary check-ups. I am grateful that my son has now recovered and is in good health. The remaining $18 went to transportation costs, enabling us to travel to and from the hospital as well as make frequent visits to the nearby shopping center for various needs. Through these expenditures, I prioritized the immediate needs of my family, addressing both health concerns and essential provisions, ultimately bringing a sense of relief and contentment to our lives. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for the generous support, and looking forward to initiating new projects using the subsequent transfers."

"We want to buy a cow for milking because we are old and we can get what milk to drink for a healthy life"

"It's really difficult for me. I have nothing to support myself, not even a chicken. This means I must do menial jobs or burn charcoal to sustain myself. Getting food is always a nightmare for me. I am always worried about my next meal. When I get a casual job, it all goes to food. I depend on farm jobs such as planting, weeding, or harvesting. One is paid $2 for half a day of hard work. It's hard buying food due to the high cost of living."

"I am planning sell those pig and goat that I have bought to buy a cow which will give me manure and help me to sustain my daily life."

"Now that I completed my computer packages, my goal is to start a business selling vegetables to support myself financially before seeking further employment. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when schools were closed, I volunteered at a vegetable-selling kiosk and gained valuable skills from that experience. Furthermore, I have noticed that there is currently no one else in my village engaged in this type of business, presenting me with an opportunity to leverage the demand for vegetables. The profits generated from this venture will not only contribute to my income but will also support various household needs, particularly the payment of tuition fees for my six siblings."

"In terms of my long-term goals, I aspire to build a house for my six children and invest in goat rearing. Our current living arrangement of sharing a two-room structure is becoming increasingly challenging as the children grow. Providing them with a separate living space will ensure everyone enjoys their privacy and comfort. I envision a brick house with a tin roof, which will provide a secure and stable dwelling for my children. Additionally, raising goats will not only generate income but also contribute to funding my children's education. Am confident that saving part of my transfer amounts through a merry-go-round club, with help me accomplish these goals."

"I was happy when I finally bought my first goat through the recent cash transfer, and my dream is to expand the herd. My ultimate goal is to acquire more goats and utilize them as a means to finance the education of all eight of my children. I am fully dedicated to supporting their education until they reach college. I firmly believe that livestock rearing presents the best opportunity for me to achieve this goal and provide a brighter future for my children."

"As I continue to receive my transfer, I have a goal of adding more goats. They grow fast and will be beneficial to my family in the long run. Once I raise ten goats, I will prioritize selling them to buy a cow. So far, I do not have a single cow. I have never raised one in my lifetime due to my low income. I hope to realize that dream as I continue to receive my transfers."

"My goal is to focus on crop farming. I hope that if we succeed to realize a good harvest, my family will have sufficient food. As a result, I will be at liberty to spend my transfers not only on food, but also on other family projects. I aspire to start a small shop business within the village where I can realize family supplementary income. I know it can provide a regular source of income that will go a long way in improving our living standards."