When I received my most recent cash transfer, I put the funds towards a long-planned home renovation project. The walls of my current house were made of mud, and I was determined to cement them to strengthen the structure and provide a more durable living environment. With the transfer, I spent $27 on three bags of cement, and an additional $2 on transportation costs. Previously, transfers had also contributed to the purchase of cement supplies. I am pleased to report that I have now completed approximately three-quarters of the cementing work. It is a relief, as the previous process of regularly smearing the walls with cow dung, is a laborious and inconvenient task.

In my opinion, GiveDirectly has positively transformed our way of life through its unconditional cash transfer program. The cash transfer model has been life-changing, empowering us to make strategic decisions that improve our livelihoods. The transparency and reliability of the program is commendable. These regular payments have enabled us to prioritize investments in our community. For example, some people in our village have used the funds to start raising goats and poultry, creating an additional source of income. I am also impressed by GiveDirectly's commitment to effective communication. It always alerts us if there are any delays in the transfer dates, and pro-actively informs us about potential fraudulent activities to watch out for. The organization's regular follow-ups are extremely helpful as well. There is nothing that GiveDirectly does not do well.

My primary goal at the moment is to focus on renovating my house, as this will save me from the constant hassle of re-plastering the mud walls. Once I have completed this project, my next aim is to begin raising livestock, specifically expanding my herd of livestock. Currently, I own four goats, but my long-term plan is to start raising cows as well. Cows will be beneficial as they will provide me with a steady supply of milk. I am confident that I can achieve this goal of building up my livestock by September of this year. This is because I estimate that I have about three more months left to complete the house renovation work. With the renovations nearly finished, I will then be able to direct my attention and resources towards acquiring some cows to complement my existing goats

In the past, my dream centered around building and renovating my house, specifically by plastering it. I am pleased to say that I diligently worked towards this goal, and the progress has been satisfying. However, my aspirations have shifted towards farming in the coming years. I will be allocating $40 to prepare and cultivate an acre of land. I am hopeful that through my efforts, I get crop yields that can sustain my family. It will significantly reduce our expenditure on food, as I anticipate being able to harvest at least three bags of maize from the farm. By prioritizing farming, I aim to ensure food security for my family and create a self-sufficient lifestyle.

Over the past four months, I spent my transfers 10 bags of cement for renovating my house. Each month, I was able to buy three bags, and as a result, I have already plastered a portion of the interior walls. I am delighted with the progress made, as cementing the walls has significantly improved the overall condition of my house. The renovation will ensure that my house remains stable and durable, serving me well in the long run. Moving forward, my plan is to extend the renovation by considering cementing the floors and the exterior walls. By gradually enhancing different aspects of my home, I am creating a more comfortable and sustainable living environment for myself and my family.

In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well in promoting our overall well-being through its direct cash transfers. These transfers have significantly eased the struggle of supporting my family, including my two children who also benefit from the program. Moreover, the impact of these transfers extends beyond financial support. People have been empowered to become self-reliant and have initiated various businesses and housing projects. I am particularly delighted to report that the enrollment of children in schools has greatly improved as a result of GiveDirectly's interventions. From my perspective, there is nothing that GiveDirectly does not do well.

Upon learning about the upcoming rainfall, I felt a strong motivation to maximize the monthly financial support I receive from GiveDirectly. With the $20 I recently received, I chose to allocate it towards agricultural endeavors. I designated $20 for renting a tractor to till the soil, getting it ready for planting maize. I also responsibly utilized the remaining $9 to meet our immediate requirements. I bought essential items such as sugar, cooking oil, and tea leaves, which I anticipate will sustain my two grandchildren and me for approximately three weeks.

In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well by providing us with monthly financial support that enables us to meet our basic needs. Additionally, what truly sets GiveDirectly apart is their commitment to understanding the real impact of their unconditional transfers on our daily lives. They don't just hand us money and disappear; they stay engaged through follow-up surveys, seeking to learn how their assistance affects us in the long run.

In the coming year and beyond, my primary focus is completing the construction of my house, a dream I have been nurturing for quite some time now. I have calculated that I will need approximately $550 to fix the doors and window panes, as well as to pay for labor services. To achieve this goal, I plan to save $20 from my subsequent monthly transfers and set aside $7 every month from the profits of my tailoring business.

Life has become so unbearable due to the high cost of living that affording three meals a day is difficult. To save for other days, we now eat only two meals per day; breakfast and supper. I used my most recent transfer to buy twelve two-kilogram cans of maize for $22 and spent the remaining $7 on sugar, cooking oil, and other groceries for my family of four to save us from going hungry. We have used the maize for three weeks and are still left with six kilograms, which I hope will last us another week. Having enough stock of maize and food has since saved me from incurring lots of expenses when buying food.

GiveDirectly does well by guaranteeing that its beneficiaries receive their monthly contributions on time, thereby allowing us to plan effectively and achieve our objectives. The transfers are secure, convenient, and confidential, making us feel safe whenever we receive them.

Because life has been so difficult for us, my main focus is now on food security. Next year, I intend to start a small-scale cereal business to supplement my income from my tailoring work to enable me to sufficiently provide for my family. I have set aside part of my earnings which I intend to top up with my subsequent transfers to reach the $50 target for this goal.

In July last year, I started to renovate a house I am currently living in and would still want to continue doing so this year. I intend to continue saving in our merry-go-round group to raise enough money to finish the remaining parts. I will top up the savings with the income from my tailoring business to enable me to actualize this goal.

My most recent transfers came at the right time, during the Christmas season. There are kinds of meals that we rarely eat because my income cannot allow me to but was privileged to buy them this time around using my transfers. I spent all the transfer to purchase foods that we consider special like beef, chapatis, and fries which we enjoyed during the festive season - this made the family happy.

GiveDirectly does well by sending me money every month even if it is a small amount. When the project began we used to receive our transfers in good time but nowadays they delay making it hard to plan well. I would, therefore, recommend that the transfer be sent early enough (between the fifth to twelfth of every month) to enable proper planning.