In the coming year and beyond, my goal is to invest in purchasing more livestock. I currently have two goats, bought with the money from the transfers. My aim is to expand this number and grow the herd. As the livestock multiply, I will have the opportunity to sell some if the need arises. Investing in livestock will help me become financially independent, reducing my reliance on my son for financial support. This will ease the burden on him and enable him to focus on his own needs. I am very grateful for the financial support I have received so far; it has made my life easier and provided me with a path toward greater self-sufficiency.

I am an elderly widow. With age catching up with me, I no longer have the energy to work and provide for myself. I heavily depend on my son, who works as a casual laborer in Mombasa town. Depending on him for financial support adds to the burden he already has of taking care of his own family. The cash transfers I receive from Give Directly have helped lessen this burden, as I often use the money to take care of my essential needs. Recently, I fell ill and visited the hospital for medical attention. I spent $12 on the medical bill, including transport to and from home and purchasing some medicines. I am happy that my health has improved, and I feel much better now. I also purchased a sweater to keep warm from the cold, which cost me $5, so I no longer have to endure the chilly weather at night. Additionally, I bought three hens for $9, hoping they would multiply so I could sell them at a profit. Unfortunately, they all died after being infested with Newcastle disease. I spent the bulk of the transfers, $75, on food purchases. This ensured that my entire family had enough to eat, especially now that we can no longer harvest any food from the farm due to climate changes. I am very happy and appreciative of the financial transfers, which help me take care of myself despite having no job and being unwell.

With my immediate need for a mattress and bedding now resolved, I'm channeling my full attention towards my passion for livestock farming. It's not just about buying chickens and goats with my transfers but about nurturing a dream, one that promises growth and sustainability for my family's future. Every purchase of a chicken or goat is a step towards building a thriving farm, where each animal holds the potential to multiply and expand our resources. It's a journey filled with anticipation and determination, knowing that with each addition to our livestock, we're laying the foundation for a more secure tomorrow. As I continue to invest in my livestock, I'm fueled by the belief that with dedication and perseverance, I can create a sustainable source of livelihood that will support us through any challenges that may arise. It's a journey worth embarking on, one that resonates with resilience, hope, and the unwavering determination to build a better future.

I've always harbored a deep desire to become a livestock farmer, and with each transfer received, I've been steadily investing in that dream. Upon receiving my latest transfer, I allocated $18 towards purchasing chickens, envisioning their growth and eventual contribution to my livelihood where they would multiply and be able to sell them when in need. With family responsibilities weighing heavily on my shoulders, I allocated $20 towards the school fees of my grandchildren, ensuring that they continue their education under my care. Education is paramount, and I'm committed to providing them with the necessary support to thrive academically. Addressing immediate needs, I allocated $35 towards purchasing food for my family. The thought of my loved ones going hungry pushed me into action, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to ensure their well-being, even in times of scarcity. Realizing the importance of personal comfort, especially during restful moments, I invested $900 in purchasing a bed linen for myself. It's a small luxury, but one that brings immense comfort and contentment, enhancing the quality of my sleep and overall well-being. However, life's challenges often present themselves unexpectedly. My son was involved in a car accident and faced mounting medical bills and I didn't hesitate to allocate $20 of the remaining transfers towards his treatment. Though the road to recovery may be long, seeing him out of immediate danger fills me with hope and gratitude.

We are fortunate to have an ample food supply to last the entire month. This allows me the flexibility to utilize my transfer to acquire additional goats. Currently, I own two goats and my intention is to expand my livestock by purchasing more goats, thereby increasing their numbers. These goats are a valuable asset that will serve as a resource in case of emergencies in the future. Additionally, I aim to purchase a new mattress to replace the worn-out one, ensuring a good night's sleep. I am deeply grateful for the assistance provided through the money transfer.

After completing their national exams in secondary school, three of my children required funds for their journey back home. I sent $10 to cover their transportation expenses and am delighted that they performed well in their exams. I fervently hope that they will excel in their results. Additionally, I acquired three hens and a goat, which recently gave birth, for a total of $44. I am thrilled that my $34 investment in the goat has already doubled through the birth of the young goat. I am eager to expand my livestock by purchasing more goats, which will provide me with the means to support myself once they are sold. A portion of my funds was allocated to purchase food for my family. My son, upon whom I rely, works as a casual laborer and unfortunately did not earn any money on that particular day. However, my contribution of $44 ensured that we had an ample food supply and did not go to bed hungry. I am sincerely grateful for the financial assistance provided by Give Directly.

In the past, I used some of the cash transfers to buy a goat, and I'm delighted that it has reproduced, expanding my livestock. The success of this venture has encouraged me to consider buying other goats to further develop my wealth. Rearing goats has proven to be a promising way to generate income, and I believe that by continuing to grow my herd, I will be able to secure a more stable financial future for myself and my family.

Supporting my children's education is a top priority for me. Recently, I used $10 of the cash transfer to pay school fees for my two children who are in high school. I was relieved to settle the fees promptly and prevent any disruptions to their studies. In secondary school, it's essential for them not to miss a day of learning, and I'm glad the transfers allow me to support their education. Another significant portion of the transfer, $24, was allocated toward purchasing food for the family. It's crucial to have enough food to sustain us, and I'm grateful that the transfers have made this possible. My son, who is the sole provider for our family, has been facing challenges with his income. To help him, I try to contribute and support him whenever I can. He's the only one I rely on right now, and I want to relieve some of the burden he carries.

Towards the end of the year, I wish to have bought four more goats through financial aid. Thanks to previous cash transfers, I acquired one goat. Owning more goats will certainly increase my sources of income, which I could trade in the future to raise money for my family’s basic needs like food. More so, this will reduce my dependence on my son even after the cash transfers come to an end.

Being advanced in age, I cannot actively contribute towards the needs of my family, who include my five grandchildren. Their father, who is my son, usually sends us money whenever he has had a successful day at his casual job. Not to entirely depend on him, I mostly spend the cash transfers on the household's basic needs like food and school fees for my grandchildren. When I received the recent cash transfer, three of them had been sent out of class to collect school fees. I used $10 to clear the balances and they resumed their studies. I used the remaining $24 to buy maize, which has lasted to date. Am happy to relieve the pressure off my son’s shoulders.

Due to my advanced age, I cannot actively contribute to the needs of my household. My son, who works from town, is the primary provider for the family of eight (two daughters-in-law and five grandchildren). However, whenever I get funds, I usually support him with the expenses because one finger cannot kill a louse. When I received the transfer, he had not sent anything home since it was only mid-month and his salary was not in. At that time, the household had run out of maize flour the previous night and my grandchildren had started crying from hunger. So, I used $10 to buy food and the children finally had supper after starving the whole day. Apart from food, I spent $800 on a blanket to replace the old one that was worn out and tattered over time. I also used $5 to buy a solar-charged lamp. This is because the solar system in my house posed a daily bill that was becoming hard to afford. So the lamp would be a better replacement. I have to say the money brought great relief. The food I bought lasted till my son’s next payday, I no longer worry about paying lighting bills, and I still have some change that helps with buying water and soap.

I commend the organization for the gracious gesture of helping by giving us the unconditional transfers. The transfers are essential in uplifting our lives from the jaws of poverty. I urge the organization to continue enrolling more people in the village so that they can benefit from the program.

I have two grandchildren who fully depend on me. Their father, who was their sole breadwinner, passed away three years ago. I am a casual laborer who earns a living from making and selling charcoal. In recent months I lost my business because there are no trees left to cut down and make the charcoal. I cannot work on the farm because of the drought. When I received my transfer, I bought twelve packets of 2 kg maize flour as food for my family. I decide to buy it in bulk so that my family (2 grandchildren, daughter-in-law and I) would not starve. Besides buying food for the family, I paid school fee arrears for my grandchildren so that they would remain in school and continue their education with minimal disruption.

I received the message on my phone during the morning hours. Since I cannot read, I patiently waited for my grandchildren who came home for lunch and asked them to read the message. To my utter surprise, they informed me I had received my first transfer. It filled me with mixed emotions and confused about whether to smile or cry. I indeed felt thrilled and murmured a small prayer, thanking the Lord for the miracle.

The biggest difference the funds have made in my life is to help buy food. Previously, I would spend three days without eating food. Lack of food has heavily affected my health negatively, as I often fall ill. Receiving the transfer ensured that I bought plenty of food and water and I do not have to sleep on an empty stomach again.

For the past two years, I have faced many challenges in finding clean water for my usage. All water sources have dried up, forcing me to buy water from the vendors at very high prices. The farm is no longer productive because of the drought, hence I have to buy all the food from the shop. To add salt to the injury, food prices have skyrocketed in the past few months. I have no stable source of income and depend on my casual job of making and selling charcoal. The poor state of the economy means I have few clients to sell to, hence earning very little. When I received my transfer, I spent it all on buying food and water, which I could not afford to buy due to lack of money.