Now that I have moved into my new house, my next goal is to install a door to keep my belongings and myself safe. I also plan to build stone pillars for added durability, which will help the house withstand strong winds and heavy rains. Over the next year, I will save a portion from each transfer, and once I have enough, I’ll work toward these improvements. I am very grateful for this support, which has made it possible for me to enjoy a better quality of life.

When my son fell seriously ill, I had to step in to help cover his large hospital bill, contributing $20 toward the total. Thankfully, he has now been discharged, and his health has improved significantly. I also spent $32 on food. Due to the harsh weather, farming in our village has been impossible, so we’re unable to harvest anything from the land. To get by, I have been purchasing food from the shop, where prices are very high. I’m grateful for the financial support that allows me to buy food for my family. In addition, I bought a new mattress for $50. My previous bed, made of sisal twine, was very uncomfortable and often left me with back pain. Now, I am finally able to sleep comfortably, which I hope will put an end to those aches. I am truly appreciative of the support I’ve received, which has helped transform my life.

Now that I have finished constructing my house, my next big dream is to buy a pair of oxen. With the additional transfers yet to come, I hope this dream will soon become a reality. Once I manage to purchase the oxen, I can plough my farm with ease, eliminating the struggles I previously faced. This will lead to a more productive farming season, allowing me to grow plenty of food for my family. I am confident that these steps will significantly improve our living conditions and provide us with greater stability and comfort in the years to come. With hard work and determination, I am ready to transform my aspirations into tangible achievements.

Upon receiving the transfers, I utilized about $34 in materials for completing my house, which I had started constructing using the previous transfers. Now that the house is complete, I am delighted to be sleeping in a very good environment, unlike before, when the house was small, poorly constructed, and on the verge of collapsing. The stability and comfort of my new home bring me peace of mind and a sense of security that I have long yearned for. Additionally, I purchased a new mattress. The old one had worn out and caused me significant pain, often leaving me too exhausted to perform my daily chores. The new mattress has made a substantial difference in my health and well-being, allowing me to wake up refreshed and ready to tackle the day. Moreover, I gave my grandchildren $20 to clear their school fees, as their exams were fast approaching. Ensuring their education is paramount, and being able to support them in this way fills me with pride and relief. With the remaining amount, I bought food for $14, as being a widow with no reliable source of income and various health issues has made it challenging to provide for myself consistently. The abundance of food has alleviated much of my stress and allowed me to focus on improving my health. This transfer has been a lifeline, transforming my living conditions and providing much-needed support for my family.

Fortunately, the foundation of a two-roomed house has been laid, marking significant progress. However, the final touches necessitate the acquisition of iron sheets and timber to fortify the structure. With determination, I am committed to saving from subsequent financial transfers to afford these materials. I am profoundly appreciative of the support extended thus far, which has brought me closer to realizing this vital goal.

For the past two decades, my livelihood has revolved around laborious tasks such as uprooting tree stumps and producing charcoal by hand. Regrettably, this line of work has taken a toll on my health, resulting in severe chest and joint pains. The repercussions of these taxing jobs are persistent illness and medical expenses. Recently, I had to allocate $15 for medical bills and $3 for transportation to and from the hospital. With only $19 left, I had to invest it in medicinal drugs to alleviate my ailments. Despite grappling with declining health, I allocated $34 towards purchasing building poles and engaging a mason to kick-start construction. My current dwelling is in a precarious state, on the brink of collapse, endangering both my safety and that of my daughter, with whom I reside. Recognizing this urgency, I also invested $25 in acquiring a goat, foreseeing its potential to multiply and yield profits upon future sale. During the Christmas holiday, I allotted $9 to purchase food, which my daughter and I shared with our visiting grandsons. Grateful for the financial assistance received, which has enabled me to procure essential medication, I am eager to express my gratitude.

Unfortunately, the recent rains in August brought both blessings and challenges. The heavy downpour caused the mud walls of my house to collapse, leaving behind large holes that I have temporarily covered with old clothes and polythene bags. However, I plan to utilize my next transfer to repair the house, allowing me to live in a more comfortable environment away from the chilly night weather. I am immensely grateful for the financial support I have received as it has been of tremendous help to me.

With the approaching rains, I took the initiative to prepare my land for farming. I hired bulls to plow the land, planted seeds, and eagerly await the arrival of the anticipated rainfall. I am grateful for the successful maize harvest from my previous season, and I remain optimistic that this upcoming harvest will be equally fruitful. In addition, I managed to pay the school fees for my two grandchildren who were previously expelled due to outstanding balances. After clearing the arrears and paying a total of $23, they were able to continue their studies. As a casual laborer, my main sources of income are subsistence farming and selling firewood. To sustain my daughter and myself during times of financial hardship, I allocated $30 towards purchasing food. Furthermore, I invested $34 in a goat, considering it as a valuable asset for the future. I anticipate that once the goat multiplies, my initial investment will also double. Overall, I am delighted with the financial support that has significantly improved my life.

After securing enough food from the bumper harvest, my primary aim is to make significant investments in acquiring various types of livestock, including goats and hens. This decision serves both as a future investment and a potential income source. In the event of unforeseen emergencies, I can sell some of the livestock to address the challenges that arise. As these animals breed and multiply, I can further expand my income by selling some of the offspring.

After a wait of over six years, the long-awaited rain has finally arrived. This prompted me to allocate $20 towards preparing my one-acre plot of land for farming. With the assistance of hired bulls, the land was tilled and cleared of thickets and bushes, rendering it suitable for cultivation. I have diligently planted maize, beans, and various vegetables, all while fervently praying and hoping for consistent rainfall. A bountiful harvest would not only ensure my food security but also sustain me for an extended period. Out of the remaining $14, I utilized the funds to purchase food. As a widow and the sole provider for my small family, which consists of my two dependent grandchildren, meeting our financial needs is a constant challenge. Despite my modest income from selling silver cyprinid, it falls short of fulfilling all our necessities, such as paying school fees and acquiring sufficient food and clothing for both myself and my grandchildren. The financial support I have received is profoundly appreciated as it has enabled me to address some of the pressing needs that were previously unattainable due to limited resources.

My house's roof has been in bad shape for quite some time, and I have not been able to renovate it. I did not have enough money to facilitate this. My plan to rebuild the roof was revived when I received the transfers. As of now, I have managed to buy 4 pieces of iron sheets, and my objective is to buy at least 15 pieces. My goal now is to buy two iron sheets every month through the transfer in order to renovate the house.

I spent my most recent transfers on purchasing four pieces of iron sheets, two goats, and foodstuffs. My house's roof is old and weak, and I fear it might be blown away by the wind, leaving me in the cold. It is also leaking uncontrollably, thus not at peace when it rains. I could not afford to buy the iron sheets, but since I will be receiving the transfers, I will be buying the iron sheets every month. I am targeting 15 pieces of iron sheets, and once I have them, I will renovate the roof. I am also now the owner of five goats because of the transfers. These are assets to me because, upon reproducing and increasing in number, I can sell them to cater to my financial needs. Lastly, I purchased enough foodstuffs, such as maize and vegetables which ensured that my family does not lack food daily.

I largely congratulate the organization for their ongoing efforts to assist the poorer villagers. Our lives in the village are very difficult as a result of the difficult times we are going through, coupled with climatic changes and financial challenges. We are able to deal with the situation and live better lives thanks to the money from the transfer.

I've struggled with a severe chest infection for the past two years, which results in severe chest pains. I am unable to perform physically demanding tasks like working on the farm, making charcoal, or fetching water because of these chest pains. I make very little money from my small business selling "Omena," on which I rely heavily. There is nothing left over that I can save or use to cover medical costs because the profit I make is only enough to cover one meal per day. I spent $5 to buy prescription medication from a pharmacy when I got my transfer to ease the pain in my chest. Finally, I used the $25 I had left to purchase a goat. Owning livestock, which in our culture is a symbol of wealth, has long been a dream of mine. Owning one was very difficult for me due to a lack of money, but I'm glad I've now realized a long-held dream.

The money came in in the evening and if I'm being honest in minute I saw had received that money I literally just did a couple of jumps due to all the excitement I felt at that moment.

Nutrition was our biggest challenge during that time and I was honestly very glad that I finally had enough money to buy food and did not have to worry when our next meal was going to be.

Trying not to starve has one has been one of our biggest priorities and that is why as soon as I received the money I decided to settle that issue. That is why I went ahead and used KES 2,500 on ten packets of maize flour, a kilogram of sugar and a kilogram of beans. Afterwards I used the remaining KES 500 and bought two hens with the intentions of investing in poultry farming.