Despite the struggles with limited sources of income, such as subsistence and livestock farming, I am determined to pursue several initiatives in the coming year and beyond. The small plots of land I currently farm on are heavily impacted by droughts, resulting in insufficient feed for my livestock and hindering their growth and breeding. To address this challenge, I plan to utilize the proceeds from these unreliable sources to purchase more fencing materials. By fencing additional farms, I aim to cultivate more grass and maize, with the surplus produce, including maize stalks, being sold to meet the demand for livestock feed. Throughout this endeavor, I am grateful for the unwavering support of my daughter, who has been a steadfast helper during the receipt of transfers. Despite having her own family, she remains committed to supporting my ideas and implementing the proposals I put forward. I intend to continue involving her in all my plans this year, hopeful that our collaborative efforts will yield positive results in the future.

GiveDirectly has made a significant impact not only on me but also on other villages, as evidenced by the new projects they have initiated. I was particularly impressed by the unconditional nature of the transfers, which allowed me to make decisions tailored to the struggles I was facing in my household. Thanks to this support, I have accomplished a lot that would not have been possible otherwise, and I remain hopeful for similar assistance in the future, especially in my elderly age, as well as for other villages still awaiting support. Nothing went wrong throughout the process, and although a few people missed the chance to enroll, they understand that GiveDirectly had specific criteria for selection.

For a while now, I have been struggling with vision loss, which eventually led to blindness, making life incredibly challenging. The support I used to provide for my family ceased as I became unable to work, relying instead on selling assets and occasional assistance from my older children, who are also facing their own struggles. I am deeply grateful for the consistent and unconditional support from GiveDirectly, which has been a lifeline during these difficult times. With the latest transfer, I spent $100 on purchasing food for my family of three. I also used $100 to cover school fees for my two children in secondary school, who previously depended on uncertain bursaries and occasional community fundraisers for their education. Additionally, I invested $125 in chain links to complete fencing around our land, ensuring the protection of our grass from neighborhood livestock intrusion, a project initiated after receiving the second transfer. With the field now secure, I eagerly anticipate seeing the grass flourish with the upcoming rainfall. I saved the remainder of the funds to address other household needs and educational requirements for my children.

In the upcoming year, my goals are clear and full of hope. Once I complete the fencing of my land with the two chainlinks I'm yet to obtain, my focus will shift towards expanding my livestock holdings. I plan to acquire more goats from both my neighbors and nearby areas, taking advantage of the newly fenced piece of land to provide them with ample grazing space. While I've been heavily reliant on beehive farming, where I currently own 60 beehives, I aim to diversify my agricultural efforts by venturing into farming on the newly fenced land. This expansion will not only bolster my income but also help secure the future of my children by ensuring I can continue to manage their school fees. My son has taken on the responsibility of overseeing these projects, as my sight has been a challenge, and I have complete trust in his dedication to maintaining and growing what I have worked so hard to establish.

From my perspective, I have nothing but appreciation for every aspect of GiveDirectly, right from the moment of enrollment to the very end. The staff involved were not only professional but also exceptionally kind and genuinely concerned about our understanding of the entire program. The unconditional nature of the money made the experience even more remarkable, as there were no conditions or complaints from our side. GiveDirectly's approach to providing assistance is not only effective but also conducted with a level of care and respect that I truly admire.

Receiving that unconditional cash transfer has been a blessing I could not be more grateful for. With $290, I invested in buying chain links to construct a sturdy fence around my compound, and I'm thrilled with the progress so far. I plan to purchase two more chain links to complete the remaining section, ensuring our crops can grow without any interference from stray livestock. I also allocated $50 to pay for labor costs during the fencing process, which was essential in getting the job done efficiently. Clearing a $20 debt was a huge relief, and $10 covered transportation expenses for the fencing equipment. With $30, I purchased 45kg of maize, a vital food source for my family of four. Ten years ago, my spouse left home, leaving me to raise our three children on my own, even though I lost my sight a few years ago. Nonetheless, I remain determined and involved, managing our beehive projects and the current livestock farming. Lastly, I spent $50 on household goods, ensuring a more comfortable and convenient life for my family. This unconditional cash transfer has not only improved our living conditions but also given me the means to provide for my family and continue my endeavors despite my visual impairment.