In the coming year, I hope to venture into poultry farming, a step towards financial security for my family of eight. My plan is to start with six chickens, a modest yet promising beginning, with $30 in capital that I have diligently saved. This small poultry farm will not only provide us with eggs and meat but also generate income for our family's needs. The profits from the poultry sales will play a crucial role in covering expenses such as school fees for my children and providing food for our family. This new venture is more than just an income source; it is a pathway to a brighter future where we can better meet our family's basic needs and aspirations. To concentrate on this endeavor, I intend to take a break from herding, a change that signifies my commitment to making this poultry farm a success. I am excited about the opportunities it will offer my family. This new chapter represents a chance to secure our family's well-being and create a more stable and fulfilling life for all of us.

I am absolutely elated with the GiveDirectly transfers because they have had a profoundly positive impact on my life. One of the most significant changes is that my children have been able to attend school. This opportunity for education has uplifted our family and opened doors to a brighter future. I am incredibly thankful for the positive changes these transfers have brought into our lives, providing opportunities that were once out of reach. I never wish them to change, as they have been a beacon of hope and progress in our lives, and I hope they continue to bring positive transformations to families in need.

In our family , we depend on herding and farming for our livelihood and have almost nothing to save for other asset acquisitions. When I received my transfers, it was a moment of both practicality and tradition. I spent $122 on bedding, a decision driven by the need for comfort and rest in our family of eight. In addition, I spent $80 on the education of my children, a fundamental investment in their future, and $45 on goats, a valuable addition to our livelihood. Goats can provide both sustenance and income for our family, and this seemed like a wise choice. A significant part of the transfers was dedicated to a cultural tradition: dowry payments. I had married my wife, Saumu, more than a decade ago, but I had not completed the necessary dowry payment of $700. I am excited that the transfers provided an opportunity to honor this commitment and follow through on our cultural obligations. The transfers not only facilitated practical improvements in our lives but also allowed us to fulfill important cultural and family responsibilities. It is a balance of tradition and modern needs, ensuring the well-being of our family and our place in the community.

As I tended to my livestock out in the field, my phone buzzed, and a message popped up around 3 pm. Curious but not in a hurry, I finally glanced at the screen, and I saw $550 staring back at me. It was the unmistakable transfer from GiveDirectly. My heart raced, and a mix of disbelief and gratitude washed over me. A lump formed in my throat as I realized the significance of that amount was a lifeline of opportunity. I couldn't contain my joy; it radiated through me like a warm glow. The weight of financial burdens lifted, and I danced amidst the grazing animals, my heart lighter than it had been in years. That day marked not just the arrival of money but the arrival of hope, a turning point in my life that I would forever cherish.

Before receiving the transfer from GiveDirectly, going to bed hungry was an all-too-familiar ordeal, a pain that had etched itself into my daily existence. Three days a week were marked by the gnawing emptiness in my stomach, a silent companion to my struggles. But then, like a soothing rain in a drought-ridden land, the cash transfer arrived, and the melody of my hunger began to change its tune. I can attest that life shifted after that moment. Gratitude fills my heart for GiveDirectly's compassionate hand. The hunger that once ruled my days has lost its grip. Since the first transfer, the haunting sensation of an empty stomach has become a rarity; I can finally savor the satisfaction of regular meals, a transformation that I attribute solely to the kindness of GiveDirectly.

With the funds I received, I decided to make choices that would secure a better future for my family. I invested in four goats for $180 knowing that the goats would multiply, providing a steady source of income. I preferred goats because they were affordable to acquire and maintain, and the market for them was always thriving. Education had always been a dream I held for my children, so I used $60 to pay the school fees for my four primary school kids who had been forced to stay at home due to a lack of funds. Their smiles when I told them they could return to school were priceless. Additionally, I made sure my family's immediate needs were met. With $54, I bought enough food to ensure we didn't have to worry about our next meal. Another $30 went towards clothes, bringing smiles to my children's faces as they put on clothes that were more than just hand-me-downs. But perhaps the most transformative change was in our living conditions. Gone were the nights of sleeping on empty sacks. I used some of the funds to purchase two mattresses, and now we sleep comfortably. With the remaining money, I used it to renovate our house, reinforcing it with strong pillars. Every day, as I see those pillars, I'm reminded of the resilience and strength my family has shown in the face of adversity. The impact of those choices made with the GiveDirectly support is nothing short of life-changing.