Now that I've fenced my land, my goal is to cultivate maize and sorghum, ensuring food security for both myself and my orphan grandson. To make this dream a reality, I plan on selling a few hens, being optimistic that the proceeds will sustain us with enough food from this endeavor.

I am deeply thankful for the support that has improved my life in old age. This was unexpected since I had never received an unconditional transfer throughout my entire life. Everything went smoothly, and I received all the money as promised by the GiveDirectly staff. I did not encounter any issues or shortcomings in the process.

I live with my grandson, relying on my children for support as I am no longer able to work due to my age. Additionally, my small poultry project, managed by my grandson, contributes to our livelihood. Upon receiving my third transfer, I allocated funds to ensure an adequate supply of food in our home, spending $150. Previously, financial constraints limited us to one meal a day, but now we can afford more. I also invested $300 to fence our land, protecting our farm from goat intrusion. I am grateful for having enough to eat and securing our farm.

In the coming year, my main goal is to erect a perimeter fence around my piece of land along the footpath, where livestock frequently pass by. This project is essential, as it will enable me to plant and manage the growth of my crops without any interference from wandering livestock. To achieve this, I plan to sell some of my livestock and use the proceeds to source the necessary fencing materials. It's a significant undertaking, but I'm determined to make it happen to secure my farming efforts and ensure a successful harvest in the future.

GiveDirectly has been a remarkable source of support and hope in our community. What stands out most is their unwavering commitment to fairness and equality. They treat every person with the same level of respect and dignity, without any bias. I personally experienced this when the team visited me. There were no strings attached, and I did not know anyone on the team, yet they served me with the utmost respect, provided clear information, and enrolled me willingly without any pressure or persuasion. This approach should be a model for organizations everywhere, especially in the arid regions where people often face immense struggles to make ends meet. GiveDirectly has truly set a high standard for how support should be provided to those in need.

With $213 of my second transfer, I bought essential foodstuffs like dry maize grains, sugar, cooking oil, rice, and milk. These provisions sustain my current family of five and are a great help when my grandchildren come to visit. Additionally, I invested $63 in purchasing two pieces of wire mesh to secure my compound against wild animals and stray livestock from the neighborhood. Allocating $8 to other household consumables like toiletries and utensils ensured our day-to-day comfort in our home. I also spent $86 on acquiring two goats, an investment that I hope to breed and provide us with offspring we can sell to meet various household financial needs. Furthermore, I allocated $41 to purchase farm fertilizer, which significantly boosted the yield of my maize field. The remaining $46 was spent on other basic requirements, which included $16 on new clothes to replace old and tattered ones and $30 set aside to address any unexpected household expenses. This unconditional cash transfer has not only met our immediate needs but also empowered us to plan for a better future.

When the first transfer arrived from GiveDirectly, my daughter, Janet, happened to have my phone in her possession. The news filled me with great excitement, as we had been eagerly anticipating its arrival to address our immediate household needs. Being familiar with operating the phone, Janet took complete responsibility for the transfer and made sure to promptly collect the funds. She used the money to purchase essential items for our household, including food supplies and other necessary provisions.

The biggest difference in my daily life is the abundance of diverse food options made possible by utilizing a portion of the $65 from my initial transfer for purchasing groceries. As an elderly individual, I am immensely appreciative of GiveDirectly's timely and generous support, especially considering my inability to work towards earning a sufficient income to afford such choices.

Immediately after receiving the initial transfer from GiveDirectly, I had a list of tasks in mind that I was eager to accomplish. However, my top priority was addressing the issue of food scarcity, which has affected me for quite some time. With no consistent source of income to rely on, I have been living from hand to mouth. Consequently, I instructed my daughter, Janet, who was responsible for handling the transfer, to purchase essential food items such as maize, beans, rice, sugar, and cooking oil, amounting to $65. Since then, I am delighted to have been able to enjoy nutritious meals. Moreover, I allocated $30 towards acquiring three iron sheets, intending to construct a new kitchen. Cooking with a makeshift three-stone setup at my doorstep has always been affected by unfavorable weather conditions. Additionally, I invested in two plastic chairs at $6 each, bought my granddaughter a new set of clothes worth $8, and saved the remaining amount to cover the daily purchase of sour milk that I pair with ugali, as consuming green vegetables tends to upset my stomach. As an elderly individual with limited earning capacity, I am profoundly grateful for the timely support provided by GiveDirectly.