Since I require special care due to my hypertension condition, I have always wanted to ensure I have access to proper medication and nutritious food. Knowing that the support from this organization won't last forever, I’ve been thinking about having something reliable to support my well-being as a widow. Therefore, I have started saving $10 each month from the cash I receive, to buy goats in large numbers. The idea is to have enough goats so that, in the future, if I face any challenges, I can sell one or two to meet my needs. Additionally, having goats in my compound will also provide a sense of security, as it will make it easier for me to borrow cash from friends who will see I have assets to back me up.

I have been battling hypertension for many years, and to be honest, I have been confined indoors, as I have never been able to stand up on my own. This condition has been very stressful because I can no longer interact with my family as I used to, and I sometimes feel lonely. Therefore, when I receive the cash, I spend $12 on medication since I need to take it daily. I feel quite relaxed, even though I have not been able to walk or move out of bed on my own. Apart from that, I have been saving $30 intending to accumulate enough money to buy goats, as they could help me in the future. In case this program comes to an end, I will still have assets to rely on in emergencies. Finally, since I am on medication, I used around $44 to buy enough food so that I can eat well, as the doctors have advised me not to miss meals. I am thankful to this organization, as I no longer go to sleep without having at least one meal a day.

With my health deteriorating over the last two years, my goal is to save enough money to seek specialized medical treatment to identify the root cause of my health problems and find a lasting solution. Additionally, I plan to invest significantly in purchasing livestock. This investment will provide me with a sustainable source of income even beyond the five years of financial support. I am very happy and content with the financial support I have received so far.

In the past two years, my health has deteriorated significantly. I experience severe chest and body pains and frequently lose consciousness, with these incidents increasing over time. Due to my old age, I am unable to care for myself and rely heavily on my relatives for financial support to meet my immediate needs. Despite multiple hospital visits, my condition remains the same and continues to worsen. Recently, I fainted and awoke with a severe headache and chest pains. I spent $10 on over-the-counter drugs to suppress the pain and I am feeling much better now. I saved $30 with the intention of purchasing a goat, which will serve as a future investment. This way, I will have something to fall back on in case I need quick cash. I spent $45 on food, ensuring that I had enough to eat. Additionally, I bought a new pair of clothes to replace my worn-out ones. The remaining $8 I spent on soap and detergents to wash my garments. I am very grateful for the financial support from Give Directly. This support has allowed me to take care of my immediate needs without having to beg for food as I did before. My life has become much smoother since receiving the transfers, and I am very happy with the assistance provided.

As we embark on the new year, I have set specific goals to achieve in the forthcoming months. Firstly, I prioritize repairing the door of my house, which is currently in poor condition to prevent further deterioration. Furthermore, I aim to increase my savings for acquiring additional livestock and purchasing medication to manage my health condition. I am deeply thankful for the invaluable financial support I have received from Give Directly, as it has made a substantial difference in my life.

I set aside $20 in a savings group consisting of close relatives to ensure I have funds available to manage my recurring chronic illness. In another savings group, I saved an additional $30, which I used to purchase goats as a future investment. I am pleased to have acquired three goats through these savings and aim to expand my livestock holdings in the future. In November, I was hospitalized due to a hypertensive attack, and I allocated $22 from my transfers for treatment and medication. I am grateful for the improvement in my health condition, largely due to the financial assistance from the transfers. Additionally, I spent $16 on essential food supplies, including sugar, maize flour, and fresh fruits and vegetables, which have significantly enhanced my quality of life during my recovery period.

Given the prevalent poverty in my household, I have devised a plan to make substantial investments in livestock. This strategy presents a straightforward and accessible means for me to accumulate wealth for the future. By acquiring livestock, particularly those that are known for their reproductive capabilities, I can take advantage of their multiplication. When the time is right, I can sell them and utilize the funds to meet my essential needs, such as addressing my deteriorating health. Additionally, I intend to allocate some of the funds to purchase new clothes. Currently, I possess only a few worn-out garments, and acquiring new ones would greatly improve my quality of life. I am genuinely grateful for the transfers I have received, as they have played a crucial role in supporting me during this time of dependency. These financial resources have opened doors for me, enabling me to pursue opportunities that will lead to a more secure and comfortable future.

As an elderly individual, I find myself in need of constant care and support from my close relatives. Unfortunately, my old age comes with recurring challenges that require attention and assistance. One of these challenges is the involuntary passing of stool and urine, which I often do without even realizing it. Furthermore, my mental health has been declining in recent years, adding to the complexities of my situation. Recently, when I fell ill, it became necessary for me to utilize $14 from my August transfers to seek medical attention at the hospital. This medical checkup was crucial for my well-being, and I am grateful that I am now on the path to recovery, experiencing a slight improvement in my overall health. In an effort to secure my future and create a safety net for unforeseen circumstances, I have decided to save the remaining $20. My intention is to use this amount to purchase a goat in the coming days. This strategic addition serves as both an investment and a means of preparedness. If an emergency arises, I can sell the goat and utilize the funds to address the situation promptly. The financial assistance I have received brings me great happiness, as it lessens the burden on my relatives, who themselves earn meager incomes. With this support, I am able to address my needs independently, reducing my reliance on others.

In the coming years, I want to own more livestock than the four goats that I have so far obtained through previous transfers. As these livestock reproduce and increase in number, they will establish a reliable source of income in the future. I will be able to sell them and raise funds to buy food and pay for medication. In my old age, I constantly suffer from high blood pressure and asthma, which require constant medication to control.

My advanced age has come with so many ailments, such as high blood pressure and asthma, that always need medication to manage. I cannot work and my only son who used to support my needs passed away years ago. Since then, I have been relying on his wife, who handles casual tasks like burning charcoal to provide for her children’s needs as well as mine. The cash transfers presented a great chance to fend for myself, which I will eternally remain grateful for. Recently, my health has been a little bit stable, so I contributed $14 towards food instead of spending it on medication. Also, I bought a goat using the remaining $20. To date, I have acquired four goats through the transfers. The aim is to let them multiply and grow my wealth, as I could sell them in the future to cover my medical needs.

I am content with the help I am receiving from the organisation. The money has made it easier for me to take care of my health. If there had been no income, this would have been worse. However, I would implore the organization to ensure consistency in the monthly disbursement of funds, especially for recipients who are more vulnerable. I completely rely on these funds for my survival; whenever I don't get them, managing my condition is very difficult for me.

I used a significant portion of my November transfers to pay medical expenses related to my deteriorating health. Since I am a widow without children and am taken care of by my family, I am dependent upon them. I've been battling serious health issues for the past three months, which have led to symptoms like swollen legs, frequent fainting, and memory loss. My stepdaughter-in-law, who is in charge of looking after me, is a farmer. Because of the drought that is currently affecting our region, farming is no longer profitable. I'm very appreciative of the money because it helped me out financially and medically. Thanks to the transfers, my health has significantly improved. I used the remaining $10 to purchase food in addition to going to the doctor. Due to the challenging economic conditions that month, we hardly had any food. It is a huge improvement in my life that I never skipped or missed meals because of a lack of money.

I had no idea the transfers had been send out that day but my family members heard rumours going round that the Organization had rolled out the funds. Upon checking my phone, I was elated when my daughter in -law confirmed the rumours to be true. I was honestly a pleasant surprise especially since GiveDirectly had kept it's word.

Personally I am glad that through the transfers I was capable of affording a meal especially considering that starvation is almost the order of the day. The money has given me an opportunity to chip in with the needs at home unlike before where I depended on my family instead.

Due to my old age, making ends meet has been quite hard and I have had to depend on my daughter in-law to cater for my day to day needs. During the time the transfers were being rolled out, I was lucky enough to receive KES 1,200 since it was my first transaction. At the time there was barely any food in the house and therefore, I ended up spending the entire funds on nutrition by purchasing half a dozen packets of maize flour.