Having initiated the rearing of one goat, my goal is set on expanding and cultivating a bigger herd in the future. The conducive environment for livestock farming, provided by the vast land with shrubs and thicket, is making this endeavor both instrumental and manageable. Leveraging the returns from my current involvement in charcoal farming and the surplus from subsistence farming, I am committed to consistently saving a portion of the proceeds. The objective is to strategically invest in the acquisition of more goats, further fortifying my livestock farming efforts. This approach not only aligns with the productive utilization of available resources but also lays the foundation for a sustainable and progressively growing herd.

I am grateful for the significant progress I have made since receiving the first transfer from GiveDirectly. The autonomy to spend on projects of my choice made it easier to appreciate the outcomes through diligent investment and monitoring from start to finish. GiveDirectly's smooth enrollment process, marked by fairness to everyone who had the opportunity to enroll, stands out compared to other aid experiences. Uniform amounts were distributed, and individuals have been working diligently to ensure the success of their unique decisions. So far, there haven't been any complaints, and the community uniformly appreciates the support received.

Living with my youngest daughter, she's been a great help in managing transfers and phone operations. For years, we endured a dilapidated hut built way back in 1993. When the first transfer arrived, constructing a new home became a priority, and part of that support went into purchasing construction materials. With the second transfer, I acquired 12 more iron sheets, timber, frames, and nails totaling $161. Construction labor cost $64, bringing us a better, leak-free space with sturdy walls. Transporting materials incurred a $10 cost. I invested $70 in a goat, planning to add more with the upcoming transfer. With my daughter, we spent $43 on foodstuff, sustaining us to date. Relying mostly on charcoal burning and farming for sustenance, this support has been crucial. We used remaining funds on household necessities, including a bed, and bedding. The impact has been transformative, offering us a more secure and comfortable living environment.

I was alone at home when I received a message from the service provider, and with a lot of excitement and anticipation, I could not wait to understand what the message was all about. However, I couldn't read the message myself due to my limited English literacy, so I had to patiently wait for my helper to return. When my helper finally arrived and read and confirmed the message, a wave of excitement was all over me. I couldn't wait to access the funds, so I made plans to withdraw the money from the nearby shopping center the following day. It was a moment of great joy and hope for a brighter future.

The biggest difference in my daily life since receiving the first payment from GiveDirectly is the newfound hope of constructing a new house. This sense of assurance has brought me immense peace, even though I haven't initiated the construction yet. With the prospect of the second transfer, I am confident that I will soon be able to replace the old, dilapidated structure, riddled with holes that allow unwanted animals to intrude and put my life at risk.

My house has seen better days; it is a tattered structure I have called home since 1993, when it was just me and my firstborn daughter. Over the years, I have watched my family grow to include four more children, who have all grown up and moved on to start their own families. When that first transfer from GiveDirectly arrived, it was like a glimmer of hope. I immediately invested $154 to purchase 14 iron sheets, and I am still saving up to buy 12 more, enough to construct a proper single-room house. The current hut I live in has walls made of mud and a roof of grass that's been blown away by the wind or pulled apart by wandering livestock countless times. With $32, I bought 50 kilograms of maize, which still serves as our main source of sustenance. I used the remaining amount to buy new pairs of clothes and some much-needed household goods. We had relied on charcoal burning and occasional casual labor for income, but those were unpredictable and often insufficient. Thanks to GiveDirectly, we no longer have to depend solely on farming, especially given the unpredictable weather conditions that have led to crop failures and financial losses in the past.