In the upcoming year, my aspiration is to venture into dairy farming by acquiring a dairy cow. This new addition to our family will serve as a means of income generation through the sale of milk. At present, I do not have a cow, but I am determined to make this dream a reality. To acquire a suitable crossbreed cow for this purpose, I have estimated the cost at $200. In order to raise this capital, I will sell my goats. While these goats have been a part of our livelihood, I see the potential in investing their value in a dairy cow, a decision that I believe will provide a more stable and consistent source of income through milk sales. The prospect of owning a dairy cow represents not just a financial opportunity but also a step towards securing a better future for my family. I envision this investment as a means to enhance our income and ensure a more sustainable livelihood.

GiveDirectly's impact on our community has been profound. With their support, children have been able to access education, paving the way for a brighter future. The construction of houses has elevated living standards, providing comfort and security to families like mine. Personally, through the transfers, I am elated that my family had consistent access to food, bridging gaps during challenging times. It is a direct and effective approach that has made a tangible difference in our lives. Seeing these positive changes has ignited a belief that this model of assistance should be replicated in other areas. The ripple effects of such aid extend far beyond immediate needs, fostering long-term improvements in various aspects of life. Emulating this approach in different communities could undoubtedly bring about similar positive transformations, empowering more families to thrive and progress.

Receiving my transfers was a pivotal moment that allowed me to transform my living situation completely. I decided to invest the entirety of the funds in constructing a new two-room house for myself. Before this, I lived in an outdated, grass-thatched house, and I yearned for a better quality of life. Farming is my primary source of income, and while it sustains me, it does not always leave room for substantial savings or allocate funds for this new house. However, the impact of those transfers cannot be overstated. They were the catalyst for a life-changing improvement. The ability to move from an outdated dwelling to a new, more comfortable home is a testament to the significance of that support. I am immensely grateful that those transfers came at a crucial time and made a lasting difference in improving the quality of life for me and my family.

I have a deep passion for farming, and it brings me great joy to work on the land. Looking ahead to the coming years and beyond, I plan to expand my farming activities by increasing the number of sheep in my herd. Additionally, I intend to shift from maize farming to cultivating more drought-resistant crops such as millet and green grams. My aim is to achieve a bountiful harvest to meet our household needs and sell any surplus to continue supporting the children's education.

The presence of GiveDirectly in our village has brought about significant economic and social progress. Every recipient, regardless of age, gender, or social status, was entrusted with the responsibility to utilize the cash wisely. This approach sparked innovation and empowerment within our community, motivating everyone to strive diligently toward their financial goals. I am glad the transfer enabled me to build myself a good house.

As I mentioned earlier during my enrollment`, I plan to relocate to my father's farm in a remote village. This decision was prompted by the sale of my current land, which I sold to cover the high school fees of my three nieces and a nephew, whom I've been taking care of since they were young. I returned to my father's home after my marriage ended because I could not have children of my own, and I have been caring for these children ever since. I decided to sell the land on which I currently live, as it is considered prime due to its proximity to the road. This decision was made to ensure that the children could stay in school, as I do not have any other source of income besides farming, which has been unproductive for the last two years due to a lack of rain. I am grateful that the transfer came in and enabled me to build a new house, allowing me to move out soon and relieving me of the pressure from the buyer, who has been urging me to vacate. I used the entire $450 from the transfer to purchase building materials and pay for labor to construct a two-bedroom house made of iron sheets. I am pleased to report that the house is nearly complete, with only the installation of doors and windows left. Thank you, GD, for coming in at a time when I needed it most.

It was around 3:00 pm, and I was in my shamba, trying to chase away livestock that were getting into my maize farm because the fences were weak. Just then, my phone buzzed with an incoming SMS. I quickly reached for it out of my sweater pocket and was thrilled to find a Mpesa SMS verifying the receipt of a GD transfer. I was so happy because now I could fix the pressing issues that were facing me, such as reinforcing a strong fence around my farm to stop the animals from ruining my crops.

The most significant change in my life is the joy of having taken care of pressing needs and invested in myself. I am sincerely appreciative of this wonderful transformation. Now that I have enough food for myself, I no longer need to burn the charcoal urgently, allowing me to rest for awhile as I concentrate on my farm.

My livelihood mainly depends on irregular work, such as burning charcoal, which often leaves me struggling to meet all my basic needs. Selling just one sack of charcoal for $5 a week hardly covers all my basic needs, leaving me in a constant struggle. I am glad that I allocated $60 to address my urgent need for food for myself, and I do not have to worry much about it. I decided to invest $50 in purchasing chain link fencing to kickstart a project aimed at securing my three-acre land. This way, I could finally put an end to the persistent problem of livestock infestations on my farm, given that my current fence was weak and ineffective. Not only did the transfer help address immediate necessities, but it also allowed me to make some positive changes in my life. I decided to use the remaining $90 to treat myself. I bought a stylish dress, a pair of comfortable shoes, and a cozy sweater to enhance my outlook and feel smarter. Furthermore, I fulfilled a long-standing desire by purchasing a much-needed heavy blanket duvet that my financial constraints had previously barred me from having. Now, I find joy in knowing that I can dress well and enjoy a warm, restful sleep at night.