With the support I received from GiveDirectly, I have big dreams for the future. My goal is to venture into livestock farming, particularly raising goats, as a means of securing my future. To achieve this, I have devised a plan: I am saving $10 each month in a merry-go-round group, and by September 2024, it will be my turn to receive the accumulated funds. This money will serve as the capital to kickstart my goat farming endeavor. I have chosen goats because they are affordable to acquire and maintain, and there's a steady demand for them in the market. I am determined to turn this opportunity into a thriving business that will not only provide for my family but also create a sustainable source of income for years to come.

For the last two transfers, I made sure to allocate $40 for farming activities. I invested in farming supplies since I heavily rely on subsistence farming and charcoal making to make ends meet as a widow. Thanks to this investment, I'm grateful to say that I've had a successful harvest, providing me with food security for the foreseeable future. Additionally, I allocated $18 towards purchasing food during the farming period, ensuring that I had enough sustenance to keep me going during the hard work. Moreover, I made a conscious decision to save the remaining $10 by contributing it to a merry-go-round savings group, which consists of 22 members. My turn to receive the pooled funds will come in September. Being part of this saving group has provided me with a sense of financial security and community support, as we collectively pull resources monthly to help each other out in times of need. This prudent allocation of the cash transfer has not only improved my immediate circumstances but has also set me on a path toward long-term stability and resilience.

I have set a goal to invest in poultry birds, specifically focusing on hens. These birds have the advantage of multiplying rapidly, which leads to quick returns on investment. Once the hens have multiplied, I intend to sell them and utilize the proceeds to purchase goats. Goats have the advantage of being highly valuable and can be sold for a significant profit. By strategically transitioning from hens to goats, I aim to establish a sustainable source of income that will continue to support me even after the transfer period ends. This long-term plan ensures financial stability and growth beyond the initial investment.

Since last year, my house has collapsed due to its deteriorating condition. Consequently, I have been residing in my son's house, who works in Mombasa and rarely returns home. However, I have managed to save my previous transfers and allocated $20 to purchase building poles. Recently, I utilized the funds to pay a mason who fixed a door and applied mud to cover the walls of my new house. It brings me immense joy to finally have a place to call my own after a prolonged period of living in someone else's house. Additionally, I allocated $24 to purchase essential food items. As an elderly woman, I am no longer able to work, so this money was crucial in ensuring I had enough food to sustain myself and avoid going hungry. Furthermore, I made a wise investment by purchasing three hens for a total of $15. This investment holds the potential for multiplication, and in case of an emergency, I can sell some of the hens to provide for my needs. I am deeply grateful for the financial transfer, as it has alleviated the difficulties I have faced in the past. Previously, I was unable to afford food or build my own house, but now I have the means to accomplish these tasks independently. The support I have received has brought about positive changes in my life, and I am genuinely thankful for it.

My aspiration for the upcoming year is to have successfully built my own house. The years spent in my nephew's shelter have made me aware of the constant burden I place on him, especially when he visits from town. Thanks to the cash transfers, I have been able to accumulate building materials, and my goal is to continue acquiring more until I have enough to construct a two-room house with mud walls and a tin roof. Also, owning a house will enable me to pursue poultry farming, particularly raising chickens. The additional room in my house will serve as a suitable space for them. By engaging in chicken rearing, I can generate income by selling them and contributing towards covering our household expenses. This will reduce my reliance on my son as the sole provider.

When I receive my cash transfers, my top priority is purchasing building materials for constructing my own house. After my previous house collapsed years ago, I have been relying on the shelter provided by my nephew. Not to inconvenience him, whenever he visits the village, I have to seek alternative shelter. Additionally, sharing the space with his children feels like I am intruding on their privacy. Previously, I believed that building my own house would remain a distant dream due to financial constraints. My son, who is my sole provider, has been unable to support the construction financially due to his limited income from casual jobs. Gladly, with the recent cash transfers, I took a significant step towards realizing my goal. From the recent cash, I allocated $30 to purchase 30 building poles for the construction project. The prospect of finally having my own house, made possible by the cash transfers, fills me with happiness and gratitude. I allocated the remaining $4 towards purchasing additional food for the household.

I intend to use the funds to finance the construction of my own home. This is due to the fact that six years ago, after my house fell, my co-wife graciously invited me to share her home. This year, I'm hopeful that the transfers will allow me to eventually build my own house. Aside from that, I also intended to use the funds for nutrition-related needs because they have been a constant struggle due to the drought.

I took the opportunity to withdraw the money right away and my immediate thought was spending it on food-related expenses because the drought had made it difficult to put food on the table. Six sachets of maize flour and two kg of rice cost me KES 1,500. Apart from that, after my house fell a few years ago, I decided to spend the remaining KES 1,900 on some iron sheets in an effort to ultimately build myself a home.

I'm really happy with the help of the Organization especially with the funds because through them they have given me a form of stability. For instance I personally did not own a house for the past decade and right now I finally see a ray of hope when it comes to that situation.

After I receive the money and had the chance to go withdraw the money, my first instinct was that I should put some money aside because my house collapsed about a decade ago and. ended moving in with my son since I could not afford a new one. Therefore I ended up depositing an amount of KES 500 in my savings account. I then proceeded to use KES 600 in buying a pair of iron sheets for the house I anticipate to construct. Now considering the drought that is back here in the village and the challenges in nutrition, I decided to spend the KES 1,900 by acquiring a bag of maize flour that contained a dozen packets and made sure I had a meal.

The instant I noticed the donation had actually been sent out by the Organization I was really grateful because I did not expect it at all at that time. In that particular moment seeing the money arrive on my phone felt God sent.

In my opinion I would say being able to actually have some money left to leave in my savings account is quite encouraging. This is because I plan on using this money to finally renovate my house which has been part of my plans for the longest time now.

After realising the arrival of the transaction, I decided to use KES 600 by purchasing three packets of maize flour because I barely had any food in my house. I was left with a balance of KES 600 which I left it in my savings account since I plan to use the money to finally renovate my house because its old and the roofing leaks so it needs replacement.