In my elderly years, I find solace in simplicity, as my daily activities are limited. My primary aspiration revolves around preserving good health and dedicating my attention to the well-being of the three goats under my care. There's a heartfelt desire to witness their growth and reproduction. I want to ensure they have an abundant supply of nourishing feed and are in the best possible health to foster their reproduction, which can translate into a future source of income through the sale of their offspring.

GiveDirectly has made a significant positive impact by providing support through unconditional cash transfers. I am particularly pleased with the fairness of the enrollment process, appreciating that it did not discriminate based on age. I was fortunate enough to be selected as a recipient, and the financial assistance has proven invaluable. Since receiving the transfer, I have experienced a notable improvement in my well-being. The ability to purchase food has been a game-changer, especially considering my previous struggles to afford even a single meal per day. Relying on the support of only two children, who themselves face financial challenges, made my situation quite difficult. This contributed to a boost in my overall energy level, as I feel healthier and stronger. I am genuinely grateful for the positive impact this support has had on my life.

As a widow living alone, my life has been shaped by the challenges that come with old age, as I cannot perform any menial job, hence depending on my two grown children for support. However, I have also felt the weight of this reliance, considering their own financial constraints due to the demands of their families. The struggle has been real, and life has posed its difficulties. Upon receiving the third transfer, I allocated $180 towards food purchases as it is essential for my sustenance, ensuring that it will last me for a significant duration. This has brought a sense of assurance, alleviating the burden on my children and providing a measure of self-reliance. Additionally, I invested $170 in acquiring three goats. This decision is fueled by high hopes, as I anticipate their multiplication to become a valuable source of income through future sales, reducing dependence on external support. I also utilized $40 to purchase a 500-liter water storage tank to ease the stress of fetching water from a distant source, as I will be harvesting the water during the rainy season and storing it. Lastly, I have set aside the remaining amount as emergency money. This contingency fund serves as a safety net, providing peace of mind and a sense of control over unforeseen circumstances.

I have endured a protracted period of poverty. I can no longer perform laborious tasks like fetching water or performing some menial occupations because of my advanced age. As a result, I intend to invest in livestock farming, particularly the raising of goats. This is a fantastic investment since not only will the number grow quickly, but I will also receive milk that I can count on when I don't have any money for food. In addition, I will occasionally sell them to raise money for food purchases, primarily maize flour.

Alleviating someone from poverty is the greatest gift you can ever give to someone. GiveDirectly has been at the forefront of achieving this by sending unconditional cash transfers to people in different places. For now, I do not see anything that they did not do well.

I have always relied on my children to provide food because I am too old to perform any menial tasks. Due to a shortage of funds, I usually have to eat only one meal. I prioritized buying food and enhancing my means of subsistence with the money. As a result, I spent about $13 on food and $19 to expand a room in my former home that was smaller. Due to this, I currently eat well, enjoy my own privacy, and live in a spacious home that can house a large number of people. I also bought various home furnishings that I didn't already have, like a charcoal burner, a table, utensils, and a stand to keep utensils on.

I had suffered a lot due to hunger. With my age I can hardly do any odd casual jobs like I used to do before. I also have two grandchildren whom I take care of and getting this money was such a huge relief to me. When I received the money from GiveDirectly I felt so happy. It is my helper and my child Mary who came and confirmed to me that indeed we had received a sum amounting to $200 from GiveDirectly. I normally get support from my children who are still in a position to do casual work and farming as well. This was not just a relief to me but to them too.

The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving these transfers is the fact that I am now happier than I have ever been before. I had serious problems of hunger where I would have to go stay with one of my children so that at least I could get enough food. This used to disturb me a lot and I would fall sick over and over. Receiving this money changer everything and I got healed almost immediately. I gained independence and even more gained hope to keep pushing with a hope of a better tomorrow.

When I received my most recent transfer I used part of it-$50 to buy new clothes for my grandchildren who normally stay with me and help me with house chores and company. I felt that they had a right to feel happy too because of this blessing that we received as a family. I then used another $50 to buy my own clothes. I then used the remaining amount to buy food and other basic household needs that lasted me a couple of days before it got depleted. Getting enough money to buy all these things at a go was just a dream for me for all those days. GiveDirectly brought smiles to my entire family and I cannot thank them enough. I intend to use the second transfer to buy a water tank that will help me have access to clean drinking water and safe me from the danger of drinking dirty water and the shortages that we normally undergo especially during periods like these of long dry spells.