I have a goal of raising animals because I have been farming for survival for a long time. To supplement the goats I already own, I plan to purchase more. This is because after discovering that goats are inexpensive to maintain and have a ready market, I wish to invest in livestock. By doing this, since goats are easily convertible into money, I will have a reliable source of income.

From the beginning stages of enrollment through the final stages, the organization managed its activities flawlessly. Everyone was respectful and treated us with decency. From the beginning, we got the sense that they appreciated our feedback and gave us the best services they could.

Upon withdrawing the money, I opted to renovate my house by building some pillars to make it firmer because it could not withstand the whirlwind and rainy season. Therefore, I bought some hard corals for $1760 and eight bags of cement for $50. As of now, I am very happy and comfortable because the pillars were built and the house is very firm. I am confident in it. Thereafter, I bought a bed and a mattress though I cannot tell how much they cost since my daughter is the one who keeps the records for me. I opted for the bed and the mattress because I used to sleep on a small traditional bed using some worn-out mats. This was a pathetic situation and very exhaustive since I used to wake up very tired every morning. Currently, I am very happy because I got a nice bed and a mattress courtesy of GiveDirectly. I sleep well and comfortably unlike before. Lacking a defined and reliable source of income, and being a festive season, I opted to buy stock of some foodstuff and also kept the remaining amount for the family's upkeep.

Illiteracy delayed my happiness and the plans which I had for the promised transfer from GiveDirectly. I heard about the receipt of the transfer from our neighbors almost a month later. I did not realize I have the money in my account until my helper checked the Mpesa balance and saw the cash in it. I felt extremely happy for receiving the transfer since was sure that I would fulfill my dream of owning a better shelter.

The biggest difference in my life is that I own and live in a nice iron-roofed house like others in the village. I feel happy and more secure since I am no longer worried about our safety like before when my house was collapsing. Additionally, we can afford meals every day unlike before when we use to seeping hungry most of the time. I am very grateful for the transfer.

Owning a decent shelter for my family has always been my desire in life. The transfer from GiveDirectly came at an appropriate time when our house was almost collapsing. I spent $210 of the recent transfer to renovate it by purchasing the required building materials like iron sheets, and poles and paying the labor costs. At the moment, I am happy that we reside in a better shelter something that has restored our joy in life. Additionally, I used $30 to purchase one goat a future investment for the family. With the ongoing drought in our area, the remaining amount assisted me in acquiring enough food. The charcoal and firewood vending job that I depended on could not earn me sufficient money to feed the family and save for building a good house.