This year, I have a goal: to finish cementing the ground of my house. It's an important step in completing the construction process. As I imagine the smooth, solid surface underfoot, I feel a sense of anticipation and determination. Cementing the ground not only adds durability to the structure but also enhances its overall appearance. It's a step towards creating a safe and comfortable living space for myself and my family. With each layer of cement laid down, I am one step closer to achieving this goal and making our house feel like a true home.

I don't have any specific feedback about GiveDirectly programs, but I want to express my gratitude with a simple "THANK YOU." Their support has meant a lot to me, and I appreciate everything they've done.

Receiving $450 from GiveDirectly brought about significant changes in my life. With $200, I embarked on building a new home. Now, at my age, having a sturdy and comfortable house is crucial for my well-being. It provides me with the security and peace of mind I need. I allocated the remaining $200 to fencing a space for my goats. This investment ensures their safety from theft and wild animals, especially during the night. By securing both my shelter and livelihood, these decisions have greatly improved my quality of life and brought me a sense of security for the future.

My main focus for the coming year and beyond is to complete the construction of my new house, and I am optimistic it will be a smooth process since I already have some of the necessary materials. Once that is done, I am eager to venture into subsistence and livestock farming. I have a promising piece of land along the road, but I have faced some setbacks due to an injury on my hand, which has kept me from farming for the past few months. Nonetheless, I am determined to overcome this obstacle and make the most of the opportunities ahead. Building a stable home and thriving in farming are my top priorities, and I am excited about the journey ahead with assurance that I have on my livestock that I can leverage on.

GiveDirectly deserves all the praise for their incredible work that brought new life into our community, especially during the trying times of drought that had wiped out our reliance on crop farming. We all genuinely wish GiveDirectly the very best in all their endeavors to assist other communities facing circumstances similar to what we endured. The unconditional cash transfer has proven to be the most effective form of support we could have hoped for, particularly because of the flexibility it offered for diverse decision-making and implementation by our entire community. I have no complaints whatsoever; in fact, we are immensely thankful and remain eager to accomplish even more with the remaining transfers. GiveDirectly has indeed made a significant difference in our lives, and we are filled with hope for the future.

When I received the second transfer, the first thing I did was enlist in all the things I wanted to do that would have served me then and also in the future. I bought 10 iron sheets and a chain link for a total of $180. My plan is to use them in the construction of a new house. However, I am yet to start building because there have been land demarcation issues, and I expect to move my house to a new portion soon. The current location will be occupied by another clan member, so I will need to relocate, but at least I am well-prepared with the materials. With part of the money, I made another investment in buying 5 goats for $200, which added to my existing herd, making it a total of 50 goats now. These goats have been a lifesaver during times when I don't have enough food. I often sell one to buy the food I need, especially since I live alone and am occasionally visited by my grandchildren. They have been a source of sustenance and security. The remaining amount from the cash transfer has been useful for my single family. I use it to replenish our food supplies and ensure we have enough to eat. It has been a blessing, and I am grateful for the support that has helped me secure my future and provide for my family's basic needs.

My son, who is my helper, had my phone when I received the first transfer confirmation message from GiveDirectly via Mpesa. It was an incredible feeling since I had been looking forward to this opportunity to carry out my plans. He informed me at 4:00 PM, and the excitement was evident, driving me to share the news with my other family members who were there at the time. Their excitement matched mine since our approach to spending the money was a collaborative endeavor in which we discussed ideas and prioritized. We picked up the money the next day at a neighboring shopping center.

The biggest difference in my daily life after receiving the first transfer from GiveDirectly revolves around two crucial aspects. Firstly, there is now an ample supply of food for my family, which brings a sense of security and relief. Secondly, there is newfound hope in constructing a robust fence around my compound. This will effectively prevent stray livestock from the neighborhood from entering and damaging the crops on my farms. The combination of food security and the prospect of protecting my agricultural endeavors has significantly transformed my daily life for the better.

Despite having numerous plans for both the first transfer and subsequent ones that are yet to come, I eagerly focused on prioritizing the initial transfer based on what I deemed essential for my household. One of the persistent challenges I faced was restraining my goats and preventing stray livestock from the neighborhood from entering my compound, but finding a solution had always proven difficult. Fortunately, the opportunity arose when I received the transfer, and I decided to allocate $100 towards the purchase of four chainlinks. These chainlinks will be used to construct a sturdy fence that will effectively secure my compound. To transport the chainlinks safely from the shopping center to my doorstep, I hired a motorcycle for $10. Additionally, I considered purchasing food items, including maize, and other essential household goods, such as toiletries, for $70. I am content and appreciative that we are still utilizing the supplies to date, and I look forward to replenishing them with the second transfer.