I recently relocated from my matrimonial home and now live with my daughter, who has taken on the responsibility of caring for me in my old age. Since moving in with her, I have been sharing a small house with my grandchildren, which has made me realize the need for a place of my own. I am planning to build a house that’s big enough to accommodate me comfortably. With my upcoming transfers, I intend to purchase building poles, iron sheets, and all the necessary materials to construct the house. Achieving this goal of building my own home would mean so much to me. I am very grateful for the financial support from the transfers, which have given me hope and the ability to work towards having a place I can call my own.

As an elderly person, I rely heavily on my daughter, who makes a living by selling charcoal. Unfortunately, when she struggles to make sales, things become really tough for us. To support her and ensure our family had enough to eat, I spent $42 on food, which made sure we never went without. I also purchased three plastic chairs, as we didn’t have any before. Whenever friends and relatives visited, we had to borrow chairs from our neighbors, which was inconvenient. Now, I am happy knowing we no longer need to ask for chairs. Additionally, I bought a mattress for $20. I had been sleeping on a sisal twine bed that was very uncomfortable. With the new mattress, I can now sleep much more comfortably. I am very grateful for the financial transfers, which have allowed me to support my family with basic needs, even though I don’t have a job. These transfers have truly made a difference in our lives, and I’m very happy with the improvements they’ve brought.

My current goal is to purchase a good-quality mattress to sleep on. Currently, I'm using mats, which do not provide a comfortable sleeping experience. To achieve this, I plan to save a portion of my transfers every month until I have enough to buy a mattress. Additionally, I intend to invest more in livestock, specifically goats and chickens. These animals are a reliable investment that can serve as a financial backup since I don't have a source of income. Furthermore, at my age, I cannot engage in laborious work. I presently own two goats and six chickens, and my objective is to purchase more livestock in the near future and beyond.

I am grateful to GiveDirectly for the support they have provided me, which has been a lifeline. Receiving the monthly support has been the best thing that has ever happened to me, as I have been struggling with many challenges in my household, such as frequent food shortages, sometimes sleeping without food, or skipping meals. I am old and no longer capable of engaging in any physical activity to cater for my needs, hence relying solely on the monthly transfers. I had no one to support me, and I had to relocate to live with my daughter, who is married. She does not have a job and only does subsistence farming and sells charcoal for a living to cater for our family of 10. Were it not for the transfers, my life would have been difficult, and even getting food would still be a challenge. Knowing that I will receive some money every month gives me joy, and I am grateful to GiveDirectly for coming into my life. I am happy and at peace that, with the recent transfers that I received, I was able to purchase foodstuffs that served us for quite some time. This ensured that my family had enough food to eat. In addition, I bought some new clothes for myself and acquired three chickens and a goat, which cost $45 and which I am currently keeping. Since I do not have any income, I believe the livestock is a good investment. I currently own two goats and six chickens, which I believe will reproduce with time, and I will have numerous livestock that I can sell to sort out my financial needs.

I've been sleeping on worn-out mats for years that don't provide comfort. As I age, my focus is on having a comfortable and health-friendly sleeping arrangement. I plan to invest in a new mattress and bed, which will cost $120, and intend to save a portion of transfers every month towards this goal.

In my view,the program arrived just when we needed crucial support, particularly for elderly individuals like us who lack other forms of assistance, even from the government. The monthly transfers have transformed our lives, making it easier to meet our basic needs and ensuring our children's comfort in school. As subsistence farmers, we didn't expect to achieve this independently, and the program has been a game-changer. I am grateful for it, and I anticipate that when it concludes, our lives and families will be significantly improved.

I received the transfer during a period of financial hardship, exacerbated by my reliance on subsistence farming for sustenance which has not been doing well due to inadequate rains. With no other support in my old age from my sons, I had to relocate to live with one of my daughters, who is also a subsistence farmer. The transfers I received were crucial, ensuring a constant food supply. I'm pleased to say I've never gone hungry, as a significant portion of the money was allocated to food. Additionally, I invested in new clothes ($6) and a chair ($5), significantly improving my quality of life. I also purchased three chickens, which, despite lacking a regular income, contribute to my wealth. As they multiply, they offer a potential solution to my ongoing financial needs.

One evening, while I was sitting outside my house, I heard a notification sound coming from my phone. Instantly, I hurried inside to check what it was, even though I am illiterate and cannot read or write. I handed the phone to a relative of mine, who informed me that I had received my first transfer from Give Directly. In that moment, a wave of happiness washed over me, and tears of joy streamed down my plump cheeks. With a grateful heart, I whispered a short prayer, thanking the Lord for this incredible miracle. It was almost unbelievable that the long-awaited financial support I had been promised had finally arrived. This unexpected turn of events filled me with immense relief and gratitude. It provided a glimmer of hope in my life and reassured me that there are people out there who genuinely care and want to make a positive difference. I am forever grateful for this remarkable blessing and the support I have received from Give Directly.

One of the most significant changes I have witnessed is my newfound ability to meet my personal needs, such as purchasing food. Previously, I relied heavily on my daughter, who earned very little from her casual laborer jobs. The financial transfer I received has alleviated the burden on her, allowing me to take care of myself more independently. I am incredibly grateful for this assistance, as it has not only lightened the load on my daughter but also given me a sense of empowerment. Going forward, I will be able to address my own needs with the help of the financial support I have received. This support has the potential to make me more financially self-sufficient and less reliant on others. I am truly thankful for this positive change and the opportunities it brings for a more secure and independent future.

Living alone in Bengoni village without any support, especially as a disabled person, was quite challenging for me. However, the first transfer of $12 that I received proved to be extremely helpful in meeting my basic needs. I used the entire amount to purchase food, which played a significant role in preventing hunger. During that period, the drought conditions were severe, and the prices of food in the stores were exorbitant. The financial assistance I received through the transfer from Give Directly was a lifeline for me, allowing me to afford the necessary sustenance despite the high costs. I am deeply grateful for the support I received. It made a substantial difference in my life, ensuring that I did not go hungry and providing me with a sense of security during a challenging time. The assistance from Give Directly has truly been a blessing for me, and I am thankful for their generosity.