the next few months, my goal is to build up a flock of goats. I've got this plan where every two months, whenever I get the monthly transfers, I'm going to use it to buy another goat. I figure if I keep doing this, my flock will grow pretty fast. And when it gets bigger, I can sell some of the goats if I ever run into money problems. Plus, having all those goats around will mean I'll have a little extra income coming in too. It's like having a safety net that also helps me make some extra money.

In December, I used $34 of the transfers for a joyful Christmas and New Year celebration with my loved ones, buying plenty of food to share since we were all together. Then, in January, I invested $28 in a goat, thinking it could serve as a safety net for financial emergencies. The leftover money went towards personal needs like soap. February's transfer went towards clothes and buying three jembes at $12 for the upcoming digging season, with $12 left for personal use. As a small-scale businessman and farmer, earning about $12 a month from selling sisal, I rely on this income to support my family by buying essentials like relish and bread. Although my son works at a hotel in Watamu and helps with food, I also contribute what I can afford.

I have a plan to expand my goat holdings, anticipating that their multiplication will serve as a reliable source of income for my financial requirements. In my elderly years, I lack the physical strength to work, relying on the support of my sons and their families. In times of urgent financial needs, I'm confident that selling some of the goats will provide a solution. Additionally, I'm looking forward to purchasing a new mattress and bed to replace the ones I've been using for years. With a substantial amount already saved, my aim is to continue saving, ensuring I achieve this goal and secure a more comfortable sleep arrangement.

I utilized $30 from the recent transfers to acquire a goat, bringing my total to three goats. These livestock assets provide a sense of security for me in times of financial need, especially given my elderly status and homebound lifestyle. Currently, goat-rearing stands as my sole confidently managed investment. During the same period when I was tending to my acreage, I allocated $20 to hire a pair of oxen for plowing. This strategic investment resulted in a bountiful harvest, ensuring an ample food supply for my family and resolving any previous concerns about food scarcity. The remaining funds have been set aside with the intention of procuring a new bed and mattress. The existing bedding, which has been in use for several years, no longer provides restful sleep. Considering my advanced age, a comfortable sleeping arrangement is essential for maintaining stable health. I am on the verge of realizing this long-standing desire by soon replacing the worn-out bedding.

I've had this plan for a long time, but the lack of funds held me back in the past. By the end of this year, I want to increase my herd of three goats. My goal is to use the next transfers to get more goats and expand the group. As these animals grow, I can sell them to raise money and support our household needs. Being older, I believe that raising livestock is the best way for me to help my family and reduce my dependence on my son.

Hunger has always plagued my household, particularly due to the enduring drought. My son, the main provider, works as a motorcycle rider to support our family's needs, especially food. However, the scarcity of customers results in insufficient earnings to provide daily sustenance for his wife, three children, and myself. In fact, we had run out of food just the day before the transfers arrived. I made it a priority to spend $10 on purchasing food, which lasted a few days. Afterward, I allocated an additional $19 for more maize flour. The remaining $6 allowed me to buy new clothing for myself, as my old garments were worn-out. Now, I can step outside our home with confidence, free from shame and discomfort, knowing that I have decent attire.

It's been my desire to own more goats which to me is financial security for the family. Thus, my current goal is to add more goats so that I can be assured of good future because goats can be easily converted into monetary value because of their ready market. I believe that once the goats reproduce and increase in number, I can readily sell them to cater to my financial needs.

I spent my most recent transfers on purchasing a goat at $20. Having livestock is one of the best investments that I can boast of currently. Owning the goats is a saving for the future and I can readily rely on them in case of financial need. Before I already had one goat, so I count growth to managing to get a second one. I am also grateful because since receiving my recent transfers, I have been able to buy food daily for my family. I did enough shopping for maize flour for the remaining $14 to ensure that my children enjoy three meals a day.

My transfer of $20 went largely toward food purchases. Being elderly, I rely on my son to take care of my needs as well as provide for my financial needs. My son works as a "boda boda" (motorcycle taxi) for a living. Due to the high cost of fuel and the scarcity of customers, he earns a very meager living from his work. When he doesn't send me money, I have to choose between going to bed hungry or getting by on just one meal a day. I'm relieved that I have access to a lot of food and that my son no longer has to work so hard to take care of me. I used the remaining funds to purchase clothes in addition to food. I have been wearing shabby and tattered clothing for the past year because I have prioritized buying food, which is my most pressing need. I'll look presentable again with the new clothes after a while.

In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well in coming up with the cash transfer program. Sending unconditional cash directly to our phones has reduced fraud and theft cases of the transfer that might have occurred. In addition, the organization is doing follow up to get to know how our lives have been transformed by the transfer which is a nice thing. Having done all this, I feel there is nothing that they did not do well.

Being a casual laborer vending sisal ropes to get food to sustain my family. Life has been very tough nowadays due to the persistent drought condition. Obtaining food has been a great challenge since most of the villagers had reduced the construction of mud houses due to the high cost of living. After receiving my transfer, I spent KES 1500 to purchase sufficient foodstuffs for my family. In addition, I spent KES 1000 to purchase new clothes for myself. Previously, I was wearing old and torn ones which were very embarrassing whenever I attended community gatherings. I am planning to use the next transfer to start livestock rearing especially goats as my reliable income for the family.

I immersed my mind in thoughts of where my next meal would come from. A few minutes later, I received a notification on my phone. I called my grandchild, who read the message and informed me I had received my first transfer. I could not believe it as tears of joy rolled down my chubby cheeks in excitement.

Buying food is the biggest difference I have had since I started receiving the transfer. For a while now I have coped with many challenges, including sleeping hungry and sometimes surviving on water only. I am happy that the situation is different and I eat more regularly unlike before I received the funds.

Being of age is a disadvantage to me since I cannot work and I fully depend on my sons who work in Mombasa as casual laborers. Their jobs are temporary, meaning they do not work daily. They don't send me money when they are not working, so I don't lack food and I end up sleeping hungry. When I lack food, I always opt to buy food on credit. When I received my transfer, I spent it all on buying 8 packets of maize flour, 2kgs of beans, and 2kgs of sugar. With the stock of food, I am assured of having something to eat for the next three weeks.