Looking towards the end of this year and beyond, my primary goal is to utilize the monthly transfers I receive to pursue superior medical treatment at a reputable hospital. Such treatment entails substantial expenses, and I am optimistic that these funds will serve as a significant financial aid. With improved health, I will regain the ability to support and provide for my family, as I will be able to engage in work once again.

Since the start of June, my health has been declining rapidly. I frequently experience unconsciousness and memory lapses. My body has grown weak, rendering me incapable of carrying out even the simplest tasks independently. I heavily rely on the assistance of my two wives to bathe me, feed me, and transport me to the hospital. Unfortunately, my prolonged illness has severely depleted my financial resources, as I was compelled to sell all the assets I had accumulated in the past. Upon receiving my transfers for the month of June, I allocated the entire sum towards purchasing over-the-counter medication and covering some of the hospital expenses incurred during my treatment visits. I am sincerely grateful for the financial support I receive through these monthly transfers. My two wives, being peasant farmers, earn meager incomes that are insufficient to meet the financial demands of my medical needs.

My next objective is to get a mattress after getting a bed. I'll have a comfortable night's sleep, which will significantly lessen the chronic back pain I've been experiencing. Additionally, I would adore getting new clothes and shoes. The pairs I own are ripped with very large patches and worn out. Investing in new clothing will make me look better. Finally, I'll buy foods that are incredibly nutritious in order to further my health improvement.

I am grateful to the organization for providing me with financial assistance in light of the final few months of last year and my current state of health. My health had seriously declined to the point where I was no longer able to remember anything after losing my memory. The majority of the time, I was laying on the bed. My body was weak, and my health was deteriorating, so I was unable to move around on my own. My wife had to carry me to the bathroom, feed me with a spoon, and frequently take me to the hospital. My previous transfers were used to pay medical bills and for the purchase of medications that have helped me get healthier. I'm glad my health has gotten better. It's a huge improvement for me that I can now walk, albeit not very far. When I got my February transfers, I spent $20 on a wooden bed. The bed is crucial to ensuring that I can sleep comfortably and relieve me of the back pain I've been experiencing. I stocked up on fresh produce, fruits, and maize flour, which helped me regain my energy after dehydration caused me to lose a lot of water from my body. Finally, I spent $4 on prescription medications that helped me get better.

With my subsequent transfers for this year, my goal is to renovate my house. Its iron roof is old and rusty, and it leaks when there are heavy rains. As a result, it deprives me of comfort, a situation that will cease once it is repaired. Because I am advanced in age and unable to do any work, I also plan to use a portion of y transfer on food. Lastly, due to an old-age-associated illness, I am unable to move out. I plan to be spending the rest of my transfers on my medication. I cannot work to support myself owing to my current condition. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for the financial support.

My life fell apart after I lost my job due to the Corona pandemic two years ago. To begin a new life, I returned to the village. A few months later, I became seriously ill. I am currently bedridden and completely dependent on my wife to look after the family. Six of my children attend primary school. Since she doesn't have a steady job, my wife must rely on odd jobs like selling charcoal and having to carry people's water to make ends meet. She does not make enough money from these jobs to support the entire family. I spent a total of $28 on a goat when I received my transfer as a result. This was influenced by the fact that I have children who will eventually need me to pay for their school expenses. The goat is a significant investment because it will grow over time and increase my initial investment. I'll sell some of them and use the proceeds to pay for my daughters' tuition if they need it. I then used the remaining money to purchase a packet of maize flour to feed my family, who were going hungry due to a lack of funds to purchase food.

Give Directly has a smart idea of giving us unconditional transfers. I use the funds to take care of the most pressing needs I have at the moment, unlike when one buys you food and you have other problems. I would like to recommend an increase in the monthly stipend from the organization so that I can cope with the rising prices of essential commodities.  

Three years ago a dog bit me and that changed my life for the worst. I cannot do manual jobs because of the recurring pain in my leg. As a result, I mostly depend on my son who works in Kizingo as a mason building houses for people. Because of the scarce job opportunities available, he cannot send me money to cater to my needs (food, shelter, and medical attention) back at home. I keep myself busy weaving mats and baskets, but face an immense challenge in selling them due to a lack of customers. Therefore, when I received my transfer of KES 3000, I purchased a goat. The goat is the beginning of a smart investment by owning livestock when they multiply later in the future. I will sell some and use the money to attend to my most pressing needs.

I was sitting outside my house when my grandchild, who is my helper, came running towards me while holding my phone. He broke the good news that I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I felt so much joy in my heart as tears freely flowed down my heart.

Buying the blanket is the biggest difference that the funds have made in my life. For the past three months, I put up with the chilly weather which has affected my health. I am happy that after buying the fresh blanket I now sleep peacefully.

The blanket that I have been using for the past three months got torn and I was left with nothing to cover myself during the night. I have had to put up with the chilly weather that has heavily affected my health. I am of old age and can no longer work. My wife and my daughter, who work as casual laborers selling charcoal, are the breadwinners of the family (wife and six children). Their earnings are too little to support all my family’s needs (school fees, food, and clothing). Therefore, when I received my first transfer, I spent KES 600 to buy a fresh blanket after failing to buy one due to lack of funds. Besides buying the blanket, I spent KES 300 on buying a hen as a future investment for my family.