In the next year, I have a hopeful vision of expanding into extensive goat rearing to secure a better future for my family of four. My goal is to raise 50 goats, an investment that will require $3,000 as capital. I believe that with this endeavor, we can not only provide milk for our family but also potentially generate income by selling surplus milk and other goat-related products. To make this dream a reality, I have devised a strategic plan. I intend to maximize the potential of our farmland by cultivating and selling crops like maize. The proceeds from the maize sales will be used to cover the initial costs of goat rearing and ensure its success. This new chapter in our lives represents an opportunity for financial stability and a source of nourishment for my family. I am excited about the journey ahead, and I am committed to working diligently to turn this vision into a thriving reality

I am filled with happiness and gratitude for GiveDirectly, for they've made a profound impact on my life. With their support, I was able to construct a comfortable house, providing my family of four with a decent shelter. At my age, I can no longer engage in strenuous, odd jobs or walk long distances to support my loved ones. These transfers have truly been a lifeline. I have witnessed firsthand how these transfers have uplifted not only my family but many others in our community. The positive change is noticeable, and it brings a sense of hope and prosperity to our lives. I wholeheartedly appreciate the way GiveDirectly operates, and I would not wish for them to change a thing about their approach. Their generosity has made a lasting impact on my family and our community, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

At age 83, I find that my once boundless energy has dwindled, leaving me unable to attend to my beloved family through hard work as I used to. But I am not one to surrender to life's challenges. I have always been a provider, and that spirit still burns brightly within me. So, I made the decision to take up farming to support my family of four. I owe a world of gratitude to GiveDirectly for their generous transfers, as they played a pivotal role in fulfilling most of my long-cherished desires. When I received my transfers, I spent $200 on constructing a spacious 3-room iron-walled house, aside from the small 1-room house that was insufficient for my family. I also spent $100 on my medication. The funds allowed me to access the medical care I required, and with each visit to the doctor, I could feel my strength returning. With $100 set aside for land cultivation, I was able to secure the future for my family. While I could not personally till the soil anymore, I hired the necessary help to ensure our land yielded a bountiful harvest. The remainder of the funds went into ensuring we had enough food on the table. As the patriarch of the family, there was nothing more gratifying than seeing my children and grandchildren well fed, their smiles lighting up our home. I knew that these small acts of support would pave the way for a brighter future.

In the next one year and beyond I will be concentrating on making investments that will empower me and my family. Old age is here with me and I can hardly do any odd casual jobs like I used to do before. I therefore wish that I could use the little money that I get to make meaningful investments that will change my life and that of my family. I always look forward to having rains since I would greatly be affected if the rains do not come.

GiveDirectly unconditional cash really helped me and my family at the hour of need. The money came when I was ill and I was able to seek medication without feeling that I was confined on how to use the money. I personally did not have enough money to do the farming that I have done with GiveDirectly transfers. The money has helped me a great deal at my old age and I am so grateful for it.

I used $300 to build a new house for my family. Another $100 was used to till our pieces of land and to plant crops in it. The remaining amount of $50 was used to seek medication for my wife and I since we fell ill at around that time. I was living in a grass thached house that had been attacked by termites and it was at the verge of falling. I would be forced to rely on casual labour proceeds to make ends meet and this would often leave me with very little to support my family. On these sides of our land, we can hardly plant crops in our farms and this has often left us helpless. Relying solely on livestock could be disastrous as you would sell and remain with nothing and still have a lot of needs to take care of. Right now I got only five goats that I keep. I am so grateful to GiveDirectly for what it has enabled me to achieve over short period of time.

One evening, while I was away from the farm, I overheard my villagemates talking excitedly about receiving the transfer from Givedirectly. Because I had been taught to keep my M-Pesa information safe and to only allow one person to assist me, I went in search of him and asked him if I had also received the transfer. When I received confirmation that I had also received my transfer, I shared the villagers' elation and thanked Givedirectly for the gift.

I formerly had a sizable herd of goats that I owned a few years back. We used to sell one or two goats and then utilize the earnings to purchase the things we needed, such as food and other necessities. The narrative was changed when I got my Givedirectly transfer, that I was able to buy food and other household necessities without having to necessarily sell the few remaining goats. Thank you so much for considering us, Givedirectly!

The biggest problem we have is availability to food because of the draught that is occurring in our area, which has repeatedly damaged our crops. Currently, in order to eat, one must buy food, and that is the problem because we cannot easily afford them. So I spent $110 on food for my wife and I after we received the Givedirectly payment. In addition, I spent money on a packet of maize seeds and hired laborers to help me plant. I also spent about $40 on medical care for both my spouse and myself, and I thank God that we are doing well now.