"My primary goal right now is to buy more goats to keep on my homestead. Currently, I have three goats, but I aim to build a larger herd so that, as they reproduce, I can grow my assets. As I get older, I recognize the importance of having reliable resources, especially for the future when this support may end. I plan to save at least $10 from my monthly transfers to accumulate enough funds to purchase more goats. This dream is very achievable, and I am determined and focused on achieving it. Once I reach this goal, even if it takes several months, I feel hopeful about my future, as I will have assets I can sell to support both my husband and myself."

"First, I bought two goats for $100 to add to the six I already had. Goats are easy to maintain, and they’ll multiply over time, which means more assets for my family. I see this as an investment that will continue to provide for us in the years to come, giving us a reliable source of income and even milk for the children. I then used $60 to buy two bags of maize. Harvest season had come, but I had nothing to show for it since the crops I had planted were swept away by heavy rains. This way, I won’t have to worry about feeding my family, and we can keep going until the next planting season, hopefully with better luck. With the money left, I bought some new clothes for my three children. Their clothes were worn out, and I wanted them to have something decent to wear. It felt good to see them look happy and confident in their new clothes. They deserve to feel good about themselves, just like any other children. Knowing that I used this money to meet both our immediate needs and to plan for the future gives me peace."

"In the upcoming year and beyond, my goals are centered around ensuring a secure future for my family by making prudent investments in goats. These animals serve as a safeguard against unpredictability and offer the potential for financial stability. Given their relatively low upkeep costs and the availability of a steady market, goats are a sustainable asset that will help protect our future. By increasing my goat herd through my monthly transfers, I strive to build a strong foundation of economic stability. Additionally, I have the responsibility of covering school fees for my children, as I want them to receive an education that will enable them to support +themselves in the future. To achieve this, I plan to allocate a portion of my transfers towards this goal, along with the limited income I earn from my casual jobs."

"With the ongoing drought and the hunger we are facing, my current plan is to continue using a portion of my transfers to buy food and water for my family, ensuring we do not go hungry. Also, to buy water for my livestock to keep them healthy. I will keep doing this until the rains come, and we are able to harvest enough food to sustain ourselves and have water in our watering points that we can fully rely on. It is a difficult time, but I am determined to keep my family fed and safe. At the same time, I am focused on securing our future. I plan to keep saving part of my transfers in our local savings group with the goal of buying more goats. My hope is that these goats will multiply, increasing in both number and value. In the long run, they will become valuable assets that I can rely on, especially when this support program comes to an end. I am incredibly grateful for the help I have been receiving, and I am committed to using it wisely to not only survive today but to build a more secure future for my family."

"As the festive season approaches, there is nothing more satisfying for me than putting a smile on my family's face. This time of year is special, and I want to make sure my family feels just as happy and blessed as others do. For the next few months, I plan to save a portion of my transfers so I can buy my family new Christmas clothes. This is something I have always wanted to do for them because, during Christmas, getting new clothes is a big joy, and I want them to feel as good as the other children around us. In addition to making them happy during the holidays, my children’s education is a top priority for me. I am committed to continuing to use a portion of my transfers to pay for their school fees, ensuring they can keep attending school and building a brighter future for themselves. Lastly, I am determined to secure our financial future. To do that, I plan to keep saving another part of my transfers, and once enough funds have accumulated, I will invest in buying more goats. My goal is for these goats to multiply and grow in both number and value, becoming valuable assets that we can rely on in the future. I am incredibly grateful for the support I have received. It has made a real difference in our lives, and I am determined to use it wisely to create a better, more secure future for my family. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for making this possible."

"This year and in the years ahead, my main goal is to complete building my house. Thankfully, I already have all the necessary building materials, so my plan is to use part of my transfers to hire labor and get the construction finished. Once the house is complete, I will use another portion of my transfers to buy a bed and a mattress. Right now, I sleep on a mat, and it is uncomfortable, so having a proper bed would make a huge difference for my rest and well-being. Additionally, I really need to buy new clothes. My current clothes are worn out and very few, so I will use some of the transfers to get what I need and feel more presentable. I also plan to buy a big metal box to store my clothes properly, which will help keep everything neat and organized. I want my home to be a comfortable, presentable place, and I want to feel good about myself as well. Additionally, with the ongoing dry spell, I will continue to use a portion of my transfers to help my mother support our family with food, because it is important that we stay strong through these difficult times. Lastly, I plan to use another part of my transfers to buy goats. I believe this will be an investment for the future. My plan is to raise them and hope that they multiply so that I will have something valuable to rely on when this support program eventually comes to an end. I am incredibly grateful for the support that GiveDirectly has given me and my family."

"My house is small, just one room with limited space, and it’s not enough to accommodate visitors comfortably. When I received my first cash transfer, I decided to use $135 to buy 10 iron sheets, planning to use part of my final transfer to purchase the remaining materials and build a bigger house. We only had four plastic chairs, which were not very durable, so I bought a three seater sofa set for $55 to improve our seating situation. At night, we didn’t have enough lighting, so I paid a deposit of $35 for a solar panel, with a daily subscription of $7 to keep it running. I also bought a sound speaker for $80 to entertain us at home and help us to tune in to radio stations for news, as we did not have a television or a radio. Since we lost our crops to floods this year and rely on casual jobs, food has not been easy to come by, as casual work is unreliable. I spent $30 on a bag of maize and $22 on other essentials like sugar, which saved us the stress of worrying about our next meal. My daughter in elementary school had $40 in arrears for school fees, which I was able to clear with the transfer to prevent further accumulation. Lastly, because most of our clothes were destroyed by the flood, surviving with just a few worn pairs was not ideal. I used $60 to buy new clothes for my husband, daughter, and myself, restoring a bit of normalcy after the disaster. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for the support."

"We are crop farmers, and early this year, when the rains came, we didn’t have enough money for planting. We borrowed $400, hoping to get a good harvest from our acre of maize. Unfortunately, heavy floods destroyed all our crops, leaving us in debt. We managed to pay back $300 of the loan, leaving a balance of $100. When I received my first cash transfer, I immediately decided to clear the remaining debt. Additionally, my husband and I wanted to make an investment that would serve as both a reminder of GiveDirectly's help and a way to secure our future. So, we bought two goats with the remaining amount. These goats will supply us with milk, and as they multiply, we will sell, especially the males, and use the money to address arising needs. This way, we are building a sustainable source of income for the future. Thank you, GiveDirectly."

"I am planning to renovate my house's roof by replacing the old, damaged iron sheets with new ones. The existing roof leaks during rain, which has compromised the walls of the house. To solve this problem, my top priority is to buy new iron sheets. I've been saving money and have already purchased fifteen sheets so far. I aim to acquire about 20 to 28 sheets since my house is quite large, although I have yet to consult a builder for a precise estimate. I am satisfied with my progress and confident that I will achieve my goal soon. My primary aim is to create a stable and secure house where I can live peacefully with my four children, without the constant concern of leaks when it rains. After completing this project, I plan to venture into livestock keeping, specifically by purchasing goats. I will redirect my transfer funds to buy goats so that I can establish a financial investment to support my family in the future when these transfers come to an end."

"In the coming year, my goal is to use future transfers to continue purchasing food and possibly add more hens. The persistent harsh weather conditions make it difficult to grow crops, so buying food from the shop is essential to ensure I have enough to eat. I also plan to grow my flock of hens, selling some as they mature to cover my other needs. I will set aside a portion of each transfer toward these goals, and I am truly thankful for the support, which is helping me create a better life."