Having food security for my family is the goal that I hope to accomplish in the coming year and beyond. I am planning to boost my crop farming by hiring a tractor that would assist me in preparing our firm on time. This will ensure that I have enough food for the family and will no longer have to go to bed without food.

In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well in sending money directly to mobile phones. The unconditional cash transfers have helped us to change our living conditions since there is a lot of development in the village. I wish they would return to see how our village life has improved and assist us more.

Since I got married more than 30 years ago, I had not had the privilege to own and sleep on proper modern bedding that is a bed and a mattress. The only time when I could enjoy that is when I visited our relatives in town. I had desired to own proper bedding since the old traditional thread-twisted bed and mat were uncomfortable. Every morning, I felt body pain all over which impacted my daily work negatively. I spent the recent transfer to acquire proper bedding and currently enjoying my night waking up fully re-energized. In addition, I spent part of the remaining amount seeking proper medical care for myself due to the backbone problem that had been disturbing me for a while. Also, I bought food and clothing with the remaining part because I was putting on old and torn clothes that were making me uncomfortable during community gatherings.

While relaxing at home, I received a message at around 8 am. I took the initiative of calling my grandchild who was around to check for me since I was not engaged in anything serious. When he confirmed that I had received the first transfer from GiveDirectly, my heart melted in joy and happiness. My mind felt a bigger relief since I knew that the plans I had were going to be successful.

The biggest difference that I have experienced since I received the GiveDirectly transfer is that initially I was just desiring to have livestock but I had no means of acquiring them as of now, I am a happy herder grazing and looking after my livestock enjoyable. I enjoy looking at them and ensuring that they are in good health knowing that one day if things are not working well, I can convert them into monetary value and sort myself out.

Since I desired to keep livestock at home like how my neighbors were, that was the first thing I did when I withdrew the money. I bought 9 goats for KES 31500.00 and 2 sheep for KES 8000.00. Buying this livestock is an investment because it can be converted to monetary value at any time need arises. I also paid KES 4000.00 school fees for my grandchild who is still in primary school. Thereafter, I used the remaining amount in buying some clothes and food for the family.