In the coming year and beyond, my primary goal is to repair the roof of my house by replacing the old and rusty iron sheets. This will ensure the safety of my property and family members from the rain. Joining the merry-go-round group will help me fast-track the repair process due to the large sum of money I will receive at once. After completing the renovations, I plan to invest the money from the cash transfers into purchasing livestock. Currently, I have 45 goats and 45 hens, and I aim to grow the herd even more. In the future, I will be able to sell some livestock to address my most pressing needs. I am very grateful for the financial support, which is helping me achieve my goals, such as renovating my house and securing a stable income through livestock farming.

The roof covering my house is made of rusty, porous, and old iron sheets. Whenever it rains, water seeps through the holes into the house. As a peasant farmer, I cannot raise the amount needed to repair the entire roof. Farming, once a lucrative venture, is no longer profitable due to adverse climate changes. Thanks to the cash transfers, I have already purchased eight new iron sheets, with the hope of eventually acquiring the 25 needed to fully renovate the roof. Last month, I spent $14 on two more iron sheets. To fast-track the renovation, I joined a merry-go-round group with eight family members and close friends. Each month, we contribute $20, raising $160 that is split between two members. My plan is to use the money to purchase more iron sheets. I contributed $60 to the group. Additionally, I cleared a $14 school fee debt for my son, who is currently in Form Three, ensuring he stays in school. I also bought two hens for $14, hoping they will multiply and later be sold for a profit. I am very happy and appreciative of the financial support from the cash transfers, which are helping me take care of my family's needs.

My main focus for the upcoming year and beyond is to continue improving my home. I want to make sure it's a safe and comfortable space for my family, especially my grandchildren who stay with me. To achieve this, I plan to start renovating by adding new irons to prevent leaks and also adding another room. I aim to kick off this project by July, so we can enjoy the benefits of a more secure and spacious home as soon as possible. Additionally, one of my top priorities is to ensure that my daughter receives a good education. I'm determined to raise enough money to cover her school fees and support her throughout her studies. It's essential to me that she finishes her education and has the opportunity to pursue her dreams. These goals drive me forward, and I'm committed to making them a reality for the sake of my family's well-being and future success.

My brother's health had been a constant worry, a weight on my shoulders that only grew heavier with each passing day. When the cash transfer came through, it felt like a lifeline, an opportunity to finally provide him with the medical care he desperately needed. Rushing him to the hospital and ensuring he received the best treatment available brought a sense of relief I hadn't felt in ages. GiveDirectly's support not only saved his life but lifted a burden from my soul, reminding me that even in the darkest times, there can be rays of hope. Secondly, I turned my attention to securing our future. Investing in a goat felt like a practical decision, a tangible asset to rely on in times of crisis. As a farmer grappling with the unpredictability of agricultural income, having a fallback plan became essential. The goat represented stability and a source of reassurance amidst uncertainty. Finally, I prioritized securing my family's future by depositing $20 into my savings account. This act symbolized more than just financial prudence; it represented a commitment to long-term stability and the aspiration of homeownership. With each passing month, the cash from GiveDirectly provided a newfound sense of security, empowering me to plan for the future with confidence. As I looked towards renovating my leaking roof and expanding my home to accommodate my beloved grandchildren, I couldn't help but feel immense gratitude for the transformative impact.

As a livestock farmer, my goal is to continue with this venture, considering its positive impact on covering the school fees for my two children. I am thankful for the past transfers, which enabled me to acquire eight goats that I have been raising. Looking ahead, I hope to sustain this endeavor, provided the funds allow it in the coming months. Given my advanced age, where active work is challenging, rearing livestock emerges as a crucial and sustainable source of income for the years to come.

My wife and I have been facing challenges in sustaining our small business of selling sardines, which is our primary means of supporting our two children in their education. Due to low demand, especially with people obtaining indigenous vegetables from their farms after the rain, our business yields a maximum profit of $4.5 every two weeks. The cash transfers have proven instrumental in boosting our business by ensuring a consistent supply of stock. Typically, I allocate almost half of the cash transfers to restock the business. However, recently when the stock was sufficient, I diverted $14 from the transfer to purchase an iron sheet. Additionally, I saved $10 through a merry-go-round club and another $10 for the upcoming school fees for my daughter when schools resume in January. The iron sheets are intended for building a new house to replace the old one with a corroded roof that poses a risk of collapsing soon. Overall, the cash transfers have been a crucial support, primarily directed toward the education of my children, building a new house, and periodically restocking my business. I am very grateful.

My aspiration is to construct a brick-walled house that will serve as a long-term residence. Currently, my dwelling consists of walls made from mud and weakened building poles, necessitating frequent and costly repairs. However, I am optimistic that with the monthly transfers providing a financial boost, I will be able to achieve this goal by next August. The financial support I have received thus far has been incredibly fulfilling and has played a vital role in improving my circumstances. I am genuinely grateful for the assistance I have received and the positive impact it has had on my life.

I operate a small chicken-selling business during market days in our village. To invest in this venture, I used my August transfers to purchase hens. I bought six chicks for $34 and managed to sell them for $42, resulting in a profit of $8. I am extremely pleased with the financial support provided by Give Directly, especially since I have a daughter attending secondary school who relies on me for her education expenses. Before receiving these transfers, my daughter would often spend up to two weeks at home whenever she was sent back due to unpaid school fees. However, thanks to the money from the transfers, this situation has drastically changed. Now, she only stays at home for a maximum of two days before I can find a solution to send her back to school. This significant improvement is all thanks to the financial assistance I've received. Moreover, the transfers have given me the flexibility to borrow money from neighbors and relatives, knowing that I can repay these loans with the help of the funds I receive. This has been a tremendous relief during times of financial difficulty. I am immensely grateful that the transfers have not only addressed my immediate needs but have also provided stability and support for my family.

Next year, I have several goals that I would like to achieve. First and foremost, I plan to finish building the new room that will provide ample space for my four grandchildren. This way, my house will be able to comfortably accommodate all members of my family. Second, I would like to invest in livestock, particularly goats that can thrive in our harsh climatic conditions. As the goats multiply, I plan to sell some and use the proceeds to support my family's needs

In April, I used my transfers to buy building poles because my family has grown and the three-roomed mud walled house that I built ten years ago is too small to accommodate everyone. I now live with my four grandchildren, and we need an additional room to avoid feeling cramped. In the coming months, I plan to save more money from my transfers to buy other essential building materials such as stones and iron sheets. Along with the poles, I purchased one piece of iron sheet that I will use to build the new room. Additionally, I bought books for my younger son, who is a form one student, to provide him with a conducive learning environment. I am grateful for the financial support that has enabled me to provide for my family and undertake significant projects such as improving my house. My small business selling vegetables doesn't earn me much, so the funds I received are a massive financial boost.

First off, I would like to appreciate Give Directly for the continued support it provides us through cash transfers each month; our lives are transforming. My new plan is to renovate my house's tin roof, which has corroded over the last twenty years. It has these perforations that let water into the house whenever it rains, dampening the space and exposing my family to cold infections. Therefore, to   implement the renovations, I need to assemble at least 32 pieces of iron sheets, each of which costs roughly $10. In the short run, my aim is  to acquire two iron sheets through each of the upcoming monthly transfers until I have enough for the project.

Immediately I got the chance to receive the transfers from the organization, I decided to save up KES 1,500 in preparation for when the schools resume back in January so that I would have enough money to pay tuition for my son who is in high school. Afterwards I proceeded to use KES 1,000 and added some of my savings to it and purchased a goat which we were going to slaughter for Christmas celebrations. Lastly I spent the remaining balance of KES 900 on purchasing 3 kilograms of rice, a litre of cooking oil and one packet of wheat flour all in preparation for Christmas as well.

I work as a farmer and provide all of my family's income. It's challenging to provide for my family now that I no longer work on the farm due to the drought. Given that I didn't finish secondary school and don't have any academic credentials, finding other work is really challenging for me. I currently rely on manual labor to build houses, fetch water, and carry large amounts of stock to the market. This job pays so little that I cannot provide my family with multiple meals. We frequently have to go without food or, worse yet, sleep on an empty stomach in order to survive. I, therefore, spent the entire KES 3,000 on food for the family, so when I got my first transfer, I was ecstatic.

Give Directly is extremely helpful in providing cash aid to those in need. Furthermore, by allowing us to tailor our expenditures to our specific needs, the organization assists us in carrying out our projects to completion. Personally, the monthly KES 3,000 will assist in repaying a loan I intend to take for the current construction projects I have. 

Due to my advanced age, I am less involved in meeting the basic needs of the family, such as food, shelter, and clothing. My two sons, who sell clothes in an open-air market in Mombasa, are the sole breadwinners for the family. They had not sent money home to buy food or other supplies up to the day of the transfer. So I took advantage of the situation and used the transfer amount to purchase one bale of maize flour for KES 1,500. I spent KES 1,000 on new school uniforms for my grandson, who starts high school this week. I set aside KES 500 with the intention of using it to buy him shoes worth KES 1,200 to round out his outfit.

I felt at peace in my heart when I first received my transfer. On that day, I had woken up earlier than usual since I had a number of tasks at the chief’s office. I had been too busy, thus I could not check my phone as frequently as usual until late mid-morning when I learnt about the transfer. Since I have a number of people to support in my family, I knew that I would be able to buy some food. Actually the available food in the house then could not take us for more than two days. At home everyone was in a jovial mood because the good news of GD transfer was all over the village

The biggest difference in my life since I received my transfer is having adequate food in the house. Consequently, I have some peace of mind because my family meals are always catered for. I am also glad because whatever daily wages I earn, I am able to convert them to my business of buying and selling chicken in order to raise additional income. Through this business, I have been able to accumulate more profit which I shall use to buy some food when the current stock is depleted.

From my most recent transfer, I spent KES 2,500 on buying a bale of maize flour. We are a family of 9 and the food I bought will take us for a week. Prior to the transfer, I was relying on casual jobs such as digging for others at a fee. I have also been depending on a business dealing with buying and selling chicken. From this I am always able to raise up to KES 1,000. In addition, I added my wife KES 500 to top up on her transfer in order for us to buy a goat. I look forward to beginning to raise more goats after losing about 50 goats as a result of the drought.