After many years of drought, I am relieved that the current rainy season made farming possible. Therefore, with sufficient food available, my goal is to channel most of the cash transfers towards purchasing goats. I am happy that past cash transfers enabled me to acquire one goat, which has since given birth to a kid. I believe that by continuing to rear goats, I can build up assets that I can sell in the future to meet my needs. Given my age and occasional health issues, I cannot engage in strenuous work. Rearing livestock is a suitable livelihood option for me.

As a widow, I rely on my daughter, Salama, who depends on casual jobs like hawking boiled maize to provide for our family, including the two children who live with us in the village. Her income can barely put daily meals on the table, let alone cover other needs other than food. The cash transfers have made a significant impact on my life, allowing me to accomplish things that would have been difficult before. I joined a group of ten people where we each contribute $11 every month, and the total amount is given to one member in a merry-go-round arrangement. With these funds, I was able to construct a kitchen structure. I used to double my sleeping space as a cooking spot which was not convenient. Not only did I obtain a cooking space, but I also built a storage area for the farm produce to protect it from the rain.

My primary goal is to acquire goats so that once the cash assistance from Give Directly ceases, I can rely on selling the animals to generate a stable income. To achieve this, I am committed to saving at least $11 each month through a self-help group. By consistently setting aside these funds, I will accumulate enough money to purchase the goats and build wealth that could improve the financial stability of my household. 

I allocated $25 to hire a tractor and plow my 1-acre land in preparation for planting. This investment was crucial for me as I previously lacked the necessary funds to hire the tractor. And, even though my two sons occasionally offer support, they rely on casual jobs that do not provide substantial income to meet the family's needs as well as support other agricultural activities. Therefore, this has made me rely on cash transfers as a major income stream to support these needs. I am pleased that the plowing process was successful, enabling me to utilize the entire land for planting. In addition, I used $7 to purchase maize seeds, ensuring that I had sufficient resources for the planting season. The remaining amount was allocated toward purchasing food. 

I want to purchase at least four goats this year to raise them, and I'm already setting out $10 each month in a savings group to do so. Although I run a modest business, I don't earn enough money from it to provide for the requirements of the four of us. I am caring for my daughter's two kids and her. Her husband passed away in an accident a few years ago, but I decided to care for the kids because she was unable to support them financially. Goats multiply, making them more profitable, as a result, I may sell some of them in the future to help pay for the grand kids' tuition. Aside from that, I want to finish building the kitchen, which is already under construction, so I can have a pleasant location to cook and prevent smoke from damaging my belongings.

In the community, seven of us started a savings group where we each contribute $10 monthly and distribute it to another member on a rotating basis. Every member should strive to buy two goats whenever they receive their shares. I saved $30 with the transactions during the previous three months. I don't have a kitchen, either. I could first cook outside, but I stopped since it was uncomfortable owing to the winds. The smoke again damaged my house, including the roof, so I went to cook in the main house. My modest business, which primarily provides meals for our family, generates very little profit. I was unable to pay for the cost of building a kitchen as a result. Thank God for the recurring payment, since I have been taking $10 from it each month to help with the building of a new kitchen and am relieved that it is almost finished. I used $39 of the remaining $49 to buy food for my family and $5 to settle a debt I owed the neighborhood grocer. I owe GiveDirectly for making it bearable for me to provide for the requirements of my family.

As soon as they realized I had received money from the organization I was definitely excited. I immediately went and we do the funds and I ended up saving KES 1,000 because I was hoping that eventually I would have enough money for me to buy a couple of goats. Afterwards I decided to spend KES 400 in purchasing a hen because I was investing in poultry farming as well for commercial gain. I further went ahead and spent KES 600 into my business where I sold tobacco the comfort of my home. I proceeded to use KES 800 by acquiring four packets of maize flour, half a kilogram of beans and cooking oil because I barely had any food left in the house. Lastly I used the remaining balance of KES 200 by purchasing stationery for my two kids.

In my view, GiveDirectly as an NGO does well in giving unconditional cash to the neediest communities. For instance, all the beneficiaries from my community have registered a positive change in their living standards courtesy of the transfers. Personally, when I received the transfer, I prioritized building a kitchen as well as planning to buy goats. This will increase my livestock asset thus contributing to my positive progress. In my opinion, all GD does is good and I can not see any fault in it.

I used KES 600 from my recent transfer to continue working on my kitchen construction. Initially, I was just cooking outside of the house, where there is usually a lot of wind, or inside the house, where the smoke affects us. I also invested KES 800 to improve the performance of my livestock selling business. I am delighted to see that things are looking up. Finally, I spent KES 1,000 on increasing my savings, which will enable me to purchase additional food for the rest of my family before I get the next transfer.

I was asleep when the funds were sent. I heard the message alert but I chose to ignore it as I thought that it was the normal promotional messages from safaricom. I was also unwell at the time. The next day, when I woke up, I prepared myself and went out ready to walk to the hospital. A neighbor of mine approached me and asked if I had received funds from give directly, I told her I didn't. But to be sure, I asked my daughter to check. She confirmed that indeed I had received too. I felt overwhelmingly blessed. I had planned to trek from my home area to the infirmary, which is about a 3-hour walk. So, I called for a motorcyclist who drove me to the hospital and I was treated then headed back home.

I have four children, two male, and two females. The male ones have already taken in wives and lived in their own houses. As for the females, they were once married, unfortunately, their husbands died. One was due to a hit and run accident and the other was due to a gunshot by armed robbers. So, they moved back with me. Just recently one of my daughters moved out so she could start working to take her 4 children to school. The other one still lives with me together with 2 of her children. We often would share expenses but it has been challenging for us to meet most of our needs as my tobacco selling business does not earn me much as it did before. Ever since I started receiving funds from give directly, our financial situation has changed for the best. First and foremost, through the funds, I was able to get some medications for my ailment. Using my next transfers, I plan on finishing up the construction of my kitchen, I still need six more iron sheets to complete it. After which, I will buy 5 goats, then, later on, build my house and leave the one I currently live in for my daughters.

For days, I had been sick and I did not have the funds to go to the hospital. I opted to walk to the hospital for some treatment. I thereby woke up very early, got ready, and when I went out a neighbor asked me if I had received some funds. I told my daughter to check and she confirmed it was so. I instead went on a motorcycle and used part of the transfer to pay for my transport and medicines. Whatever amounts remained, I invested in my tobacco selling business that has been the source of my livelihood ever since the passing away of my husband.