Despite the setback of my house collapsing, my long-standing goal of owning livestock remains a burning desire. Initially, I had been saving towards this goal every month, but I had to redirect this savings to build a new house after the collapse. Now that the house is completed, with only a few things like concrete skirting remaining to reinforce the walls, my focus is shifting back to realizing my dream of owning goats. I believe that, given my advanced age and inability to work strenuous jobs, owning livestock is the surest way for me to build wealth in the future. By saving to buy goats, I aim to create a sustainable source of income. I envision that selling the goats in the future will allow me to contribute to various needs, such as food, and ease the burden on my son's shoulders.

I faced a significant setback when my house collapsed due to the recent heavy rains. This left me in a state of frustration as I had no place to stay, and I had to seek shelter with a relative until I could arrange for a new house. Fortunately, before the incident occurred, I had been saving $15 from the monthly cash transfers to buy livestock. However, I had to redirect these funds as I used the entire savings along with the recent two cash transfers, totaling $68, to construct the new house. While the house is not completed to the standard I initially wanted, it is now habitable, and I recently moved into it. I am extremely grateful to GiveDirectly for their support. Being advanced in age, it would have been challenging for me to work and generate money for the house. Moreover, my son, who is the primary breadwinner, relies on casual house construction jobs, and his earnings alone would not have been sufficient to support this project. The assistance from GiveDirectly has been a lifeline for me, allowing me to have a place to live despite the unexpected circumstances.

I have set my sights on using my future transfers to invest in livestock as a means of growing my money. By purchasing livestock, I anticipate their numbers to multiply within a short period, thereby increasing the value of my initial investment. This strategic move will provide me with a valuable asset that can be utilized in times of emergency. If the need arises, I can sell the livestock and utilize the funds to fulfill my various requirements. The prospect of having a safety net and the potential for financial growth brings me great satisfaction and gratitude towards Give Directly for their ongoing financial support.

I took responsibility for paying the school fees of my granddaughter, who is currently attending primary school. This ensured that she could remain in school and continue her education. Due to her father's unemployment, it was challenging for him to support her financially and clear the school fee debt of $15. Witnessing her return to school and witnessing her dedication to her studies fills me with great joy. Recently, following a successful harvest, I decided to allocate $12 towards purchasing new clothing. This investment has greatly improved my appearance, making me feel more respectable and presentable. Prior to the bumper harvest, I relied on purchasing all my food from the store. However, with more than $75 at my disposal, I was able to acquire maize flour, which was priced at more than $2 for a 2kg packet. Despite the difficult economic circumstances, I managed to meet my needs and provide meals for myself and my family. The positive changes brought about by the financial support have greatly impacted my life, enabling me to fulfill essential requirements that were previously out of reach.

Looking ahead, my goal is to acquire a decent sleeping space. Currently, I sleep on a sisal-twined bed with sacks as makeshift bedding, which does not provide a comfortable sleeping experience. Therefore, I aspire to purchase a new mattress to replace the sacks and improve the quality of my sleep. Give Directly’s cash transfers have played a vital role in improving my living conditions and empowering me to pursue self-sufficiency. I am grateful for the opportunities they have afforded me and remain determined to utilize them wisely to achieve my goals.

I utilized $27 from the cash transfers to purchase a goat. Since it is a female, I anticipate that it will reproduce, allowing me to sell the offspring and generate income. Being advanced in age, I cannot engage in physical work for income, so, the goats will provide a sustainable source of funds. The remaining amount was allocated towards purchasing food, ensuring that my household had an adequate supply. I am grateful that, with the assistance of the cash transfers, my family has been able to consistently meet our food needs. Also, the ownership of four goats, made possible through cash transfers, is a significant achievement for me, considering my previous financial constraints. It grants me a sense of independence and reduces my reliance on my son, who works as a casual laborer in house construction.

My small tiny, one-room iron sheet shelter is about to fall apart. The house's support poles are deteriorating with each passing day. I'm worried that if nothing is done soon, the house will fall apart. I intend to use the money to buy cement, sand, and building stones throughout this year to build the house and stop it from completely collapsing. This will strengthen the house by constructing sturdy pillars around each of its four corners. When the repairs to my house are finished, I will be happy to see it in good shape.

Our village is experiencing a drought-like climate, which is wreaking havoc and making life challenging for us. I am a subsistence farmer, and the lack of rain prevents me from growing crops on my farm. As a result, I've been forced to sell charcoal as a secondary source of income. I make a very small profit because each bag sells for around $3. The sum is insufficient, and I am unable to cover my daily expenses, which include paying for my three grand children's school fees as well as their food, clothing, and medication. I spent $6 on food after I got my January transfers. I was unable to sell any bags of charcoal for more than two weeks, which left me without the funds necessary to purchase food. Moreover, I spent $28 on a goat. In the future, once the herd has increased and I can sell some of them and use the proceeds to take care of my immediate needs, I hope to be able to look back on my goat purchase with a smile.

In my opinion, Givedirectly did well in sending the cash transfer to the poor people in society and enrolling me in the program. Through the transfers, I am happy that I was able to boost goat rearing as a future investment. I do not see anything that they did not do well.

Boosting my goat farming has always been the longing that I had for almost a year now. This is a very profitable venture and it is easy to operate compared to cattle which are prone to harsh weather conditions. I spent $27 of the most recent transfers to acquire one goat. Currently, I own two goats that I would sell they reproduce to support me financially whenever I face any challenge in the future. I also used the remaining amount to acquire food and water for myself since we are experiencing drought at the moment.

At nine o'clock at night, my granddaughter and I were having dinner at home. My granddaughter read a text message I had received on my phone. She grinned and told me I'd gotten my first transfer. I was ecstatic and couldn't stop grinning. I gave her a firm embrace before starting to dance with her to enjoy the joyful occasion.

I'm happy that the transfer really improved my life. I had had a long-held desire to raise animals. I didn't have the money to purchase the cattle, therefore it was difficult to make the idea a reality. I am quite thankful that I am on the verge of realizing my long-term desire, which will make me financially dependent, thanks to the unconditional transfer.

I spent a sizable portion of my money on a goat. I used to rely on farming to make a living, but this is no longer the case. We haven't been able to work on our fields for more than three years due to the drought. My sons presently provide for all of my basic necessities by working as casual workers building houses. I don't work anymore because of my advanced age, so I lay in the compound all day. The purchase of the goat is a prudent and long-term investment. The goat will multiply in a few months, which will mark the beginning of wealth production. I will be solid financially and able to meet my demands after I have amassed a sufficient amount of wealth. My sons will no longer have to struggle to support me and their families while also caring for me.