In the upcoming year and beyond, my strategic plan revolves around sustainable income and the well-being of my family. I will persist in chicken farming, anticipating future financial relief as they multiply, enabling me to sell them to cover my kids' education expenses. Simultaneously, I intend to engage in small-scale farming, cultivating vegetables in my garden to stay productive. My primary goal is to ensure my children lead comfortable lives and experience a seamless educational journey. By combining poultry and farming activities, I aim to create a stable and fruitful foundation for their future.

GiveDirectly has been a transformative force in my life, providing the means for significant positive changes. With their support, I upgraded from sleeping on a mat to enjoying the comfort of a mattress. Investing wisely, I purchased goats and chickens, securing a promising future for myself. Now, my children experience the joy of sleeping in a well-furnished house, a testament to the impactful assistance from GiveDirectly.However, challenges persist, notably with elephants damaging our crops. I wish for additional financial assistance to further invest in farming, enabling us to protect our livelihood from these challenges.

Once I received my recent cash, I decided to strategically allocate it to address multiple aspects of my life. Recognizing the resilience of goats during drought seasons and my preference for them, I invested $30 to purchase two goats. This not only aligned with my personal preference but also provided a sustainable source of income through their reproduction.Previously, my living conditions were modest, sleeping on a mat. However, with $50, I upgraded to a mattress, enhancing my comfort and well being.Simultaneously, I used another $50 to relieve the burden of school fees for my children, a financial challenge I had been grappling with through casual labor in charcoal burning.Understanding the potential of poultry farming, I spent $10 to acquire five chickens. This strategic move aimed to secure a future income stream, as the chickens multiplied, contributing to covering future school fees.Lastly, I wisely utilized the remaining funds to complete the construction of my house, a project left unfinished from the initial cash. This comprehensive approach not only improved my immediate living conditions but also established avenues for sustained financial stability, reflecting a thoughtful consideration of my priorities and needs.

It was exactly 3 in the afternoon when I took a break from my daily house chores and decided to check my messages. As I scrolled through my phone, my heart leaped with joy when I discovered an unread message from GiveDirectly. Opening it, I couldn't believe my eyes; I had received my first unconditional cash transfer. Excitement surged through me, and I immediately shared the news with my husband. After discussing our options, we decided to use the money to move into a new house, leaving behind the old, dilapidated grass-thatched one that had provided us shelter for so long. The overwhelming feeling of hope and possibility washed over us as we envisioned a brighter and more secure future in our new home.

The biggest difference in my life since I started receiving unconditional cash transfers from GiveDirectly is the fact that I now have a new house, and this has brought about a profound transformation. For years, I dreamt of living with all my family members under one roof, but it always seemed like an unattainable goal. I used to be the laughingstock of my village, struggling to make ends meet, living hand to mouth, and never having enough to provide for my family. However, with the support of GiveDirectly, I was able to build a new home, a place where we can all live together as a family. This newfound sense of togetherness is priceless, and it has not only improved our living conditions but also strengthened our bonds. Furthermore, I no longer feel vulnerable to the harsh realities of life in my village. In the past, my properties were exposed and susceptible to theft, but now, with a secure home, I have peace of mind knowing that my belongings are safe. The sense of security and stability that comes with having a proper home is something I cherish every day. I'm incredibly thankful to GiveDirectly for making this dream a reality. With their support, I was able to achieve something that I could never have done with my own limited resources.

After more than a decade of marriage, enduring a subpar living environment became increasingly challenging. When I received the first unconditional cash transfer, I immediately decided to invest in improving our living conditions. I spent around $240 on iron sheets, poles, threads, and nails, materials crucial for building a new house. Our previous home was a tiny grass-thatched structure, barely accommodating my husband, six children, and me. In fact, four of our kids had to sleep at their grandmother's cramped house. The prospect of providing my family with a more comfortable and spacious home filled me with hope for a better future. Alongside this, I invested $20 in purchasing a goat, believing that over time, I would have a thriving herd. This would not only provide for our needs but also offer an opportunity to sell some of them, helping us overcome any financial constraints that had burdened us for so long. With the remaining funds, I prioritized my children's education by paying the school fees for three of them, which amounted to approximately $30. My husband and I have struggled to find reliable employment, making it a daily challenge to put food on the table. So, I've also been using the cash to buy food, ensuring that our family can enjoy regular meals and look forward to a more stable and prosperous future.