With the recent three transfers, I completed the construction of my one-room mud-wall house, which I started last year. I am happy that I have a safer place to call home. The initial house was at a place where water stagnates during the rainy seasons, but now I built the new one on higher ground, safe from flooding. Despite being a widow relying on my son, who does casual jobs to sustain us, I did not give up on my plans for a safer house. Thanks to GiveDirectly, they have rescued me. The journey wasn't easy, but each transfer brought me closer to my dream. With the transfers, I bought the materials needed to start the foundation, ensuring it was strong and well-placed on higher ground, they also helped me purchase building poles and roofing materials, which brought the house to life. Finally, I can sleep peacefully, knowing we are safe from floods, and I am incredibly grateful to GiveDirectly for their support.

Since I managed to get the house I was desperate for, I now feel a sense of security that I never had before. This stability has given me the confidence to pursue my next dream of starting goat farming. From now on, I hope to save $20 every month while using the remaining $14 from my GiveDirectly assistance for food. By saving diligently, I plan to accumulate enough money to buy goats, which cost around $45 each. My goal is to eventually build a small herd, providing a sustainable source of income for my family.

My current house, built on a poorly drained ground, becomes inhabitable whenever it rains as the space floods. The recent heavy rains exacerbated this issue, intensifying my desire to build a new house. However, with my son being the primary breadwinner, his earnings from making charcoal are primarily dedicated to sustaining the family's basic needs, especially in terms of school fees for the children. I did not want to burden him with the responsibility of building a new house. So, I directed all the three recent cash transfers, totaling $102, towards buying building poles and iron sheets for the construction of a new house. The construction is currently in progress, and I am hopeful that it will be completed soon, ideally before the onset of the long rains. I am extremely grateful that these positive developments are becoming a reality, thanks to the support provided through the cash transfers.

My focus is to complete the construction of the house I recently started building. My old house stands on poorly drained ground, leading to flooding when it rains, making it challenging for adequate shelter. I have been directing the cash transfers towards purchasing building poles and iron sheets for another structure. Also, once this new house is completed, my next goal is to venture into goat keeping. Being advanced in age and with diminishing capacity for strenuous jobs, I aim to create wealth through goat keeping. I hope that even after the cash transfers have ceased, I can sell the animals to generate funds for family needs such as food, thereby alleviating the burden on my son's shoulders.

In a strategic move towards securing my future, I made a wise investment by purchasing a goat valued at $40. This acquisition holds great potential as the goat is expected to multiply, providing me with a valuable asset to rely on in case of emergencies. It brings me reassurance knowing that I have a tangible resource for unforeseen circumstances. Recently, we conducted a ceremony to commemorate the passing of my husband in accordance with our customs and traditions. During this time, the funds from the transfer played a vital role in ensuring that we had enough food, especially since we had not yet harvested from our farm. I allocated a total of $68 towards food purchases, enabling us to have an ample supply during the ceremony. The availability of these funds relieved a significant burden, and I am extremely grateful that we did not face any shortage of food. This support has made my life easier, particularly because I am solely responsible and have no one else to depend on. The combination of my investment in the goat and the assistance provided for the ceremony has enhanced my financial stability and overall well-being. I am optimistic about the future and appreciate the positive impact that the funds have had on my life.

Investing in livestock is my main objective as it offers a reliable alternative source of income. The unpredictable weather patterns have made it challenging for me to rely solely on farming. By diversifying my income through livestock, I can mitigate the risks associated with agricultural uncertainties. As the livestock multiply, I plan to sell some of them, using the proceeds to fulfill my needs and responsibilities. This newfound income stream will enable me to take care of myself in a way that was previously difficult due to a lack of consistent earnings. The stability provided by the livestock investment will offer me greater independence and the ability to meet my needs more comfortably. By pursuing this goal of investing in livestock, I am taking proactive steps towards securing my financial well-being and creating a sustainable source of income. It is a strategic decision that empowers me to navigate the challenges posed by changing weather patterns and enhance my overall quality of life.

A substantial portion of my May transfers, totaling $32, was allocated towards purchasing food. However, the cost of food has escalated dramatically, with a 2kg bag of maize flour now priced at $2.4, significantly higher compared to its previous cost of $0.7. This rapid increase in such a short span of time is deeply concerning for me, particularly since I have no harvest from my farm. Given my advanced age and physical frailty, I am unable to support myself through strenuous manual labor. My sole reliance rests upon my son, who earns a living as a casual laborer, primarily through the sale of charcoal. During the rainy season, he engages in farming as well. He faces numerous challenges in providing for our family, including low wages and the responsibility of supporting his six school-going children. Understanding the burdens he carries, I strive to alleviate some of the load by assisting with the purchase of food whenever I receive my monthly stipend. Recently, I invested $2 to purchase day-old chicks, but unfortunately, they did not survive due to unfavorable weather conditions. However, I maintain hope that in future purchases, the chicks will thrive, grow significantly, and multiply, ultimately easing our circumstances.

Looking ahead, my primary objective for the upcoming year is to utilize my monthly stipend to acquire a significant number of livestock. Our farms are flourishing with various crops, such as maize, cassava, green grams, and beans. Once we successfully harvest these crops, my focus will shift towards investing my monthly transfers in purchasing additional goats. My intention is to gradually accumulate a herd of goats, which I can later sell to acquire bulls. These bulls will play a crucial role in preparing my farm for the planting season. Moreover, owning bulls will significantly reduce the expenses incurred whenever I need to prepare my land for cultivation.

I purposely sent out to try and invest in chicken farming as soon as I had the ability to withdraw the transactions since I wanted it to help me financially in the future. So I went ahead and spent KES 1,500 on five hens. I was left with a balance of KES 1,900 which I immediately planned to spend on nutrition since I had to take care of myself after my husband passed away and nourishment was a daily issue for me. I bought five packets of maize flour, one kg of sugar, two kg of green grams along with sardines and everyday supplies using that money.

I currently have nine hens, but regrettably, I have not had much luck when it comes to purchasing goat. Therefore I want to buy myself a few farm animals, ideally goats and additional poultry with the money I will get this year in hopes that they would help me out financially in the long run. Apart from that, I have no one to take care of me, and personally I am too old to work to support myself, therefore I will spend the rest of the money on food.

I have heavily relied on farming as my main source of income for the last three years. My only source of income was disrupted when the drought started because I was unable to continue working on the farm. I currently work in the village as a casual worker selling charcoal. My meager income prevents me from meeting all of my basic needs (buying food and buying clothes). When I got my second transfer, I decided to use the funds to buy some chickens to raise. I spent $3 on three ducks and $4 on four hens. The primary reason for investing the funds in purchasing poultry was to establish a secondary source of income through the sale of the chickens and eggs once they multiply. I finally bought food with the $5 that was left. My home's food supply was almost gone, so it was wise to buy more to keep me from going hungry.

I am appreciative of the organization's assistance, which includes the unconditional transfers that are enhancing my quality of life. I want to use the money to start a new revenue stream, achieve financial stability, and take care of my needs after losing my only source of income. I implore the organization to raise the monthly stipend in light of the challenging economic climate and to assist us in coping with the high prices of necessities like food.

I purchased poultry with my whole transfer. I bought two ducks and two chickens. I am dissatisfied as a farmer that we haven't had any rain for over three years. As a result, I have chosen another source of income because it is now difficult for us to work on our farms. Presently, I sell charcoal, and the money I make is sufficient to cover my food expenses. Three months ago, my spouse died after enduring a prolonged illness. My three daughters-in-law and I support each other as we work through the difficulties we encounter each day. Our closest water sources have dried up due to the drought, making it hard to get to the rivers and wetlands to get water. The water table has significantly dropped, and the wells are now completely dry. I'm delighted I invested in poultry with the money from the transfer since it will grow in value.

Since the rains ceased, life in the community has been challenging. I'm thankful that I can see the end of the tunnel thanks to the transfer funds. I'll be able to take care of my other necessities and buy food with the money. The chickens I purchased are the start of my achieving financial security because as they procreate, my wealth increases considerably.

When I was in bed, my phone rang. I didn't check my phone till I got out of bed in the morning since I was too sleepy to do so. My daughter-in-law happily informed me that I had got my first transfer after I handed her the phone. I gave her a deep hug as my emotions overcame me.