In my journey to provide for my daughter and grandchildren, I currently rely on casual jobs and charcoal production as my main sources of income. However, I recognize the need for diversification to create a more sustainable future for my family. Therefore, I am planning to venture into livestock production, particularly focusing on goats and sheep. I intend to start with two of each, as this will not only help me establish a steady supply of milk but also allow me to sell the animals as they multiply. By making this transition, I hope to reduce my dependence on casual jobs and create a more stable financial situation for my family.

I truly appreciate how GiveDirectly conducts its operations. The officers show great respect at all stages of enrollment, including during follow-ups, and they exercise a commendable level of patience. I also love that the money is sent directly to us, along with education on security measures. This consistent reminder from the officers has greatly helped ensure that our funds are safe. The follow-up after the transfer motivates us to spend wisely. I would recommend that GiveDirectly consider increasing the amount of support we receive. Alternatively, if they could support more people using the same approach, that would also be beneficial.

Living in a muddy-walled house had become increasingly difficult for me, especially this year when the heavy rains caused extensive damage. The walls deteriorated further, creating several holes; as a result, we had to manage our small kitchen with my daughter and two grandchildren. After receiving my second transfer from GiveDirectly, I used $350 from the funds to build a one room iron-sheet house. Now, we live in a decent home, a transformation I am truly grateful for. In addition, we also lacked proper clothing, so I spent $45 on our clothes, as it was essential to ensure that we had decent attire. Furthermore, I allocated $35 to purchase a bag of maize, which helped sustain us for a while, and spent an additional $20 on other food items. I am thankful for this support.

It was a Sunday evening, and I was sitting outside my house enjoying my evening tea when a message popped up on my phone. Since I couldn’t check it myself, I asked my helper to look at it for me. She told me that I had received $180. My mood instantly changed, and I was filled with happiness. The first thing that came to my mind was to buy a bed and a mattress because I didn’t have one before, and I longed for more comfort in my sleep. The thought of finally sleeping comfortably made me even more excited.

The biggest difference in my life since receiving cash transfers from GiveDirectly is owning a proper mattress and finally enjoying good sleep. Before, I slept on a makeshift bedding that left me uncomfortable and tired every morning. Now, with a comfortable mattress, I sleep better, wake up refreshed, and feel energized throughout the day. This simple change has improved not only my physical well-being but also my mood and productivity. I start my day in a better state of mind, which makes me more focused and able to get more done. The impact of having good sleep has been life-changing for me.

Upon receiving $180 from GiveDirectly, I knew it was time to stick to my plan. I had always dreamed of buying a proper mattress. I spent $56 to finally replace the old makeshift bedding I had been using. Now, sleeping on a comfortable mattress has transformed my life. I sometimes even oversleep, but it has greatly improved my overall well-being and relationships. I wake up in a good mood, feeling energized and ready to work, which makes me more productive throughout the day, even if I start a bit later. I allocated $35 to buy food, as my family was going through a severe food crisis. Now, we have enough to eat, and this has given us the strength and energy we needed. With the rest of the money, I allocated $60 to buy construction materials. I plan to start building a new house with the second transfer from GiveDirectly, as our current home is old and no longer meets our needs. The risk of flooding in this area is high, so having a safer, more durable home is essential for my family of two. Lastly, I used the remaining money to buy chairs for us to sit on, which has brought comfort to our home and made life easier when we have visitors. This support from GiveDirectly has truly transformed our lives.