In the coming year and beyond, I aim to further improve my family's livelihood and secure a stable future. With the support I've received, I plan to expand my livestock holdings by acquiring a cow to complement my current 10 goats. Having a cow would not only provide my family with a sustainable source of milk but also offer the potential to generate additional income by selling the offspring when necessary. This step towards diversifying my assets will enhance our resilience to economic challenges and contribute to our long-term prosperity.

GiveDirectly excels in providing unconditional cash transfers, allowing recipients like me to use the money according to our most pressing needs. This flexibility is crucial because everyone's circumstances are different, and we know best what will benefit us the most. However, one area where GiveDirectly could improve is providing more guidance or resources for recipients to make informed decisions on how to invest or utilize the funds effectively. This could include financial literacy training or access to entrepreneurial resources, empowering individuals to make the most out of the assistance provided, and fostering long-term sustainability.

With the money I received, I made careful choices for the well-being of my family's future. Investing in two high-breed goats for $140 felt like a smart move, a step towards financial stability down the line. Being a widow with two sons working irregular jobs, I knew the importance of securing our food source. So, I used $50 to purchase a sack of maize, ensuring we had sustenance at home while they toiled in town. But my decisions weren't solely about finances; they were also about improving our quality of life. My differently-abled son deserved a comfortable house, so I allocated $168 towards building him a new one, complete with 14 iron sheets. Seeing the construction underway fills me with joy, knowing that soon he'll have a safe and pleasant space to call his own. Additionally, I invested in my well-being by purchasing a good bed and finally finding rest and comfort after nights of discomfort.

While I was at home with my grandchildren, who reside with me in the same compound, I received a notification on my phone with a loud ping. I handed the phone to one of my grandchildren to check and inform me of the notification. To my delight, they told me that I had received money from GiveDirectly. This news filled me with an immense sense of joy, unlike anything I had felt before. Immediately I asked my grandchild to call my helper who was in school to come home and assist me with the withdrawal of the money and executing my plans. My priority plan was to build myself a 2 roomed house because the one I was living in was small and leaking. With the rainy season ahead, a warm place to sleep is all I longed for.

The improvement in my living conditions brings me immense happiness, particularly as I now sleep in a warm and secure house. Previously, enduring nights in a cold and leaking dwelling had taken a toll on my health, especially considering my advanced age. This transformation has not only enhanced my physical well-being but also uplifted my spirits, allowing me to rest comfortably and peacefully

On receiving the 1st transfer, I allocated $300 of it to construct a comfortable and decent 2 roomed house to shelter me from the rain and cold during the rainy season. The existing house I had was small, leaking and on the verge of collapsing. As I am old and unemployed, I rely on my son to send me upkeep money which I utilize it to support myself and another son who I provide for and is mentally handicapped.Given his own financial responsibilities, I refrained from pressuring him to build me a house. Witnessing the completion of my new home fills me with profound satisfaction and I am immensely grateful to GiveDirectly for bestowing such a remarkable blessing upon me. Subsequently, I used $100 of the remaining transfer to buy 2 female goats, with hopes that they will reproduce and contribute to the family's livelihood through the sale of their offsprings. Lastly I used the remaining portion of the transfer to buy food because our farm yielded very little harvest, barely sufficient for sustenance.