In the coming year and beyond, my focus remains on improving our living conditions, starting with replacing the old and rusty iron sheets on our house's roof. Although there haven't been any leaks yet, I aim to preempt any potential issues by renovating it sooner rather than later. Thanks to the improved farming activities facilitated by better rains, I anticipate a good harvest in three months, providing food for my family of three and surplus proceeds to invest in the house renovation. I owe these goals to the support from GiveDirectly, which has empowered me to strive for improvements that I had not considered before receiving their cash support.

GiveDirectly has truly been a blessing to our community, bringing about a remarkable transformation and restoring people's independence. Without the cash transfers, many of us would still be struggling to find casual labor every day. However, GiveDirectly changed the narrative by providing us with the means to address our most pressing needs and invest in our own ideas, which are now flourishing. The concept of receiving cash support was a revelation to us, as we were accustomed to traditional forms of aid like food and material assistance. If other organizations could learn anything from GiveDirectly, it would be the effectiveness of providing cash directly to people. The feeling of empowerment and abundance we experienced when receiving the funds, whether in our accounts or in hand at the mobile money shops, was truly uplifting. I am deeply grateful for GiveDirectly's support and hope that this approach will be adopted by other organizations looking to make a positive impact. The diverse range of ideas and initiatives people have pursued with the cash support is inspiring, from constructing new houses to paying school fees, buying livestock, and reviving farming activities.

At my advanced age, I never imagined I wouldd be making significant changes in my household, as I always expected my children to take over and ensure I aged gracefully. However, the entry of GiveDirectly into our village seems to have rejuvenated me, allowing me to fulfill long-held aspirations with their financial support. After investing the first two transfers in various projects, I allocated $200 from the final transfer to obtain construction materials, including sand, 12 bags of cement, and transportation costs for renovating my house's dusty floors. Previously, cleaning was a challenge, often complicated by infestations of fleas from livestock and pets. Now, I am delighted that the house is clean and easy to maintain, with just a cloth and water. I also made several other improvements, such as purchasing a new mattress for $28, four plastic chairs for $28, and other household items totaling $37. Since then, I have enjoyed comfortable sleep on my new mattress and feel more confident hosting visitors with ample seating. Additionally, I used $25 to seek medical attention when unwell, purchased a sack of maize for $50 to sustain my family of three, bought a goat for $50 to add to my existing herd, and still managed to save $30 for future household needs. I am profoundly grateful for this generous support, which has significantly improved our lives and filled us with hope for the future.

Once I receive my last transfer, I will prioritize fencing of my compound. Lately, I have had a lot of intereference from goats whom we share the same compound and I feel that I should seclude them in their compound. I also look forward to purchasing a water tank and have access to clean drinking water. All these would only be possible where there is money. If I get enough or extra money I will be able to renovate my house by erecting a new roof. The current roof is leaking.

At my age, I now sleep well in a soft mattress on a bed. I also stay in a clean house with cemented floor making it easy to maintain. These are things that would have remained as just dreams were it not for GiveDirectly. I thank God that they made it unconditional for us to make the decisions we made.

I am so happy and grateful for what GiveDirectly money has been able to do in my life. I honestly feel that I would not have dared to do the things that I have done because I normally rely entirely on livestock keeping to make ends meet. I used $20 from my recent transfer to improve my house by buying cement and other building materials and cementing the floor of my house. It is now complete and free from dust that would always be problematic to us. I also bought chairs and mattress which costed me a total of $56. From the amount that remained I bought one goat worth $50 and the remainder has mainly been used to buy food for my family. I have enjoyed every coin that I received from GiveDirectly. My grandchild who stays with me has equally been happy about this.

The moment the first transfer arrived was quite unexpected and filled with a mix of emotions. To my surprise, my helper received the full amount on his phone while I didn't even receive a message on mine. Curiosity led me to check with other immediate households, and it turned out many elderly recipients were in the same situation. Concerned, we contacted the office, and the assurance that we would receive it soon provided relief. After three days, the celebration ensued as we all received the transfer. My helper, being the first to know, ensured I confirmed the news before anyone else. It was a moment of immense happiness and gratitude, knowing that I could finally accomplish all the plans I had in mind.

I am delighted with the significant strides I have made since the first transfer. Numerous transformations have made a substantial difference in my daily life. The acquisition of a spacious and secure chicken coop not only ensures the safety of my poultry but also contributes to the overall well-being of my household. Additionally, I am pleased that my children's herd includes my goat, which I just bought with lots of expectations as it matures and breeds to reproduce in the future. The first transfer played a crucial role in addressing my health concerns, and I am also grateful for the effective medication I received during my hospital visit. This support has not only impacted my health positively but has also elevated the overall quality of life for my family.

When I received the first transfer, I wasn't feeling well, and despite having plans, I prioritized a visit to the medical facility. I spent $25 on medical expenses, and I am grateful that the medication was effective in restoring my health and my lost strength. After recovering, I invested $80 in ordering a chicken coop, which now houses more than 15 chickens. With its leak-free and lockable design, the coop provides safety from predators and theft. This will support the expansion of the brood, contributing to covering household bills. Another $50 went into purchasing food, including maize and milk, for my family of two, which is crucial for me at my age when working on the farm is challenging. I also bought a goat worth $40 to add to my son's existing herd, hoping for future reproduction. The remaining $5 was used for household goods, including toiletries and necessary kitchen consumables. The first transfer had a significant impact on both my health and household well-being and am grateful to GiveDirectly for this generous support.