I hope to recover soon, to use the next quarter's transfers to start building a house. I aim to slowly gather the necessary materials with each transfer since my current house is in poor condition. It has holes everywhere, making it easy for insects to invade, and I even share the space with chickens, which is not ideal.

I used $30 of the quarterly transfer to pay my medical bills since I have been sick for several months. During this time, I was bedridden and had to use a pipe for urinating, which meant I couldn’t work and had to rely on my son for everything. My son is a casual worker with an unpredictable income, making it difficult for him to provide for the family consistently and cater for my medication. I also used $31 from the transfer to buy a mattress because I had been sleeping on poor bedding, which worsened my back pain, especially as I spent most of my time lying down. Now, with the new mattress, I feel much better, and my back pain has reduced. I'm grateful to finally rest comfortably though not yet fully recovered but I believe I will be fine soon.

When I recently fell sick, my world turned upside down, leaving me immobile and utterly dependent on my wife for everything. Despite this setback, I'm filled with hope and determination. My priority is to seek the best medical treatment and regain my health. I believe that with proper care, I will soon be back on my feet. Once fit, my dream is to build a spacious house. Our current home is cramped and uncomfortable, especially when our lively grandchildren come to visit. I want to create a warm, welcoming space where they can play, laugh, and make memories. With the support from GiveDirectly, I am confident that I can turn this vision into reality and provide a better future for my loved ones.

Before the GiveDirectly transfers, my life was full of challenges as I solely depended on my son who does casual jobs to sustain the family. At some point, we could go without food since it was difficult for him to find a job daily. Thanks to the transfers, things changed for the better. With the recent three transfers, I first bought a mattress for $45 because I used to sleep on a torn piece of mat which left me uncomfortable and tired every morning. Now, I sleep well and wake up refreshed. This improvement in my sleep has greatly enhanced my daily energy and well-being, allowing me to be more productive and hopeful. With $27, I bought some food so that my family and I could have enough to eat. This has brought much-needed stability to our meals, reducing the stress and worry that came with not knowing when we would eat next. With the remaining $30, I bought a goat, ensuring a long-lasting mark of GiveDirectly at my home. The goat represents a sustainable source of income and food, providing offspring that can be sold or kept to grow our small herd. This tangible investment gives me hope for a brighter, more secure future for my family.

My dwelling is in a state of disrepair, with the iron roofing extensively rusted and riddled with numerous holes, allowing rainwater to seep through during downpours. My objective is to accumulate sufficient funds to procure new iron sheets and overhaul the aging roof. The financial assistance provided through transfers fills me with gratitude, as it brings tangible improvement to my life, despite my advanced age preventing me from working independently.

For my two children currently attending primary school, I covered their school fees, ensuring their uninterrupted education. The $10 fee payment not only secures their schooling but also alleviates the fear of being sent home due to outstanding debts. Additionally, I invested $24 in acquiring a small goat, viewing it as a future asset. Anticipating its multiplication, I plan to sell some offspring to meet my needs. As an elderly individual unable to work, I rely heavily on financial support from my son, who engages in sporadic construction jobs. The weight on my son's shoulders is substantial, making the $68 spent on food purchases a significant relief for me. I am genuinely appreciative of the financial transfers, which have greatly aided in supporting my family's well-being.

In my advanced years, I faced significant challenges in affording even a single meal, a situation that has been transformed by the arrival of these transfers. Presently, I have the means to embrace a well-rounded and nutritionally balanced diet as recommended by my doctor. The state of my health had been deteriorating, primarily due to my inability to access proper nutrition, which left me feeling weakened. I am genuinely content with the current state of affairs, as the transfers have granted me the ability to consistently consume a balanced diet and have eliminated the obstacles I once encountered in seeking medical treatment. The burden of medical expenses has been alleviated, and I can now manage these costs without difficulty. My primary focus revolves around utilizing these funds for two essential purposes: prioritizing my healthcare needs and nourishing my body to regain strength and well-being. In my advanced age, good health stands as my utmost aspiration and requirement.

The collapse of one of the walls of my house prompted me to use $20 from my recent transfers to procure building poles for renovation. This decision has brought me a profound sense of relief, as my dwelling is now stable, having addressed its prior structural weaknesses. Alongside the house renovation, I also invested $25 in acquiring a goat and purchased three chickens that I am currently raising. My objective has consistently been to maintain tangible living assets that can serve as a safety net during times of financial strain. The ownership of these goats and chickens provides me with a reassuring level of security, as they can be readily sold to generate funds if necessary. Currently, I possess two goats, and I aspire to facilitate their reproduction, eventually relying on them to assist me in fulfilling my financial responsibilities. Also, given my advanced age, my health demands regular medical attention and a balanced diet. I'm sincerely appreciative of the fact that these transfers have not only allowed me to cover my medical expenses but also enabled me to maintain a nourishing dietary routine.

My grass touched mud house is in a dilapidated condition and I fear that the house may collapse very soon. The building poles supporting the house are very weak hence major cracks have developed on the walls. This is a major safety concern for me as I feel that the housing collapses during the night as I sleep soundly. I would love to build a new Strong house. To do so I require some stones, cement sand, iron sheets and some nails. I will be very happy and grateful once the house is ready and I can move in to live in my new house.

My health has deteriorated in the past few months and have been unable to work. I fully depend on my wife who works as a casual laborer selling charcoal to earn a living. The charcoal selling business does not earn her much so she struggles a lot to take care of the needs of the family. I wish I could help in taking care of the family but I have been having persistent coughs and unending chest pains which prevent me from undertaking labor-intensive jobs. Upon receiving my money transfers I spent $10 to pay hospital bills after seeing a doctor Who prescribed medication that will improve my health. I then spent the remaining $24 on buying food for the family. Included were fresh fruits and vegetables that were essential in boosting my immunity. I am grateful that my health has improved and my family never missed meals because there was plenty of it.

I'm honestly quite grateful for the fact that I have been receiving so far from the organization. This is because due to my age I can hardly look after myself and most times I have to rely on my children to cater for my day today needs. Fortunately, this is not the case anymore because with this money that I receive, I too can look after myself and prioritize on what I need in my house.

I was thrilled with so much excitement upon realizing that I had received the transfers especially because at the time I really needed the finances. The biggest challenge at the time was pertaining to nourishment and so the minute I got the chance to withdraw the transaction I ensure to sorry out immediately. I proceeded to spend KES 2,400 in purchasing a bag of maize flour which contained a dozen packets. Afterwards I went ahead to spend the remaining balance of KES 1,000 by purchasing a kilogram of sugar, groceries, two packets of wheat flour and six kilograms of beans.

I was relaxing in my home and talking to my beloved wife. It was uncomfortable to sit outside because the blazing sun was directly above our heads. I got a text message, so I gave my wife my phone so she could read it. She gladly let me know that I had received my first transfer, and she did so with a smile on her face. I was so happy that I started crying, and my heart was overflowing with happiness.

I'm so happy the unconditional transfers allowed me to get my first livestock. I've had this dream for a very long time, but due to financial constraints, it was not realized. My purchase of the goat marked the start of my wealth-building through livestock ownership.

Selling charcoal is how I make a living. My sole primary source of income, farming, was taken away from me when the drought started. Every time I run out of money and I am unable to make any sales, like selling the charcoal, I occasionally rely on my son for financial support. My son works as a motorcycle rider and makes a pittance. His income is insufficient for him to meet both his personal needs and mine. I was so happy to receive my first transfer that I used some extra money from my wife's transfers to buy a goat for $25. Purchasing the goat was a wise move because it will soon start to multiply, increasing its population. I can sell some in an emergency and use the proceeds to deal with the problem that arises.