My house is quite small and needs some repairs, along with an extension of one room to make it more comfortable and provide me with a private space. My plan for this coming year and beyond is to continue saving a portion of my transfers in a merry-go-round group. Once I receive the pooled funds, I intend to use them to renovate my home and add that much-needed room. Additionally, I want to buy a bed and mattress with the pooled funds because right now, I am sleeping on a bed made of ropes without a mattress, and it is very uncomfortable. Having a proper place to sleep would make a world of difference in my life especially with my age and condition. Once I achieve these improvements, I will continue saving a portion of my transfers and use the funds to buy goats. My hope is that they will multiply, providing me with a reliable source of support when this program comes to an end. I am excited about these plans and the possibilities they hold for my future!

The transfers from GiveDirectly arrived at a critical moment in my life. I had been involved in an accident, where I fell and broke my leg which urgently needed medical attention. I used $54 from my recent transfers, adding to my savings to access the hospital and receive treatment. I cannot express how grateful I am for this support. I truly do not know what I would have done without it. Though I am currently on bed rest, I feel relieved knowing I could get the necessary medication, and I am continuing to receive my monthly prescriptions thanks to these transfers. Additionally, my house is small and needs some minor renovations and an extension of one room so I also managed to save another $20 of my recent transfers in a merry-go-round, with plans to renovate and extend my small house. Finally, I spent the remaining $28 on food and milk to ensure that I have better nutrition and also my family does not go hungry. I am incredibly thankful for this assistance. It has made a significant difference in our lives during such a challenging time.

In the coming year, my biggest dream is to transform my small house into a spacious, welcoming home. I have already taken the first step by depositing $100 at a hardware store for iron sheets, and I am determined to kickstart the construction before this year is over. This project is not just about increasing the size of my house but about creating a shelter where my family can gather in comfort.

Recently, my financial decisions have been around essential needs and improvements for our family. As a widow living with my son and daughter-in-law, the burden of financial stability often falls on my son, who works as a casual laborer. With the last three transfers totaling $102, I saved $30 in a merry-go-round scheme. This community-based savings approach allows us to pool money and provide it to one member at a time, enabling us to address significant needs. I benefited $100 from this arrangement so far, and I deposited it at a hardware store for some iron sheets that I will pick once I am ready for the construction. The aim is to expand my small one-room mud-wall house into a two-room home, allowing me to separate my living space from storage, which will greatly improve my living conditions. After that, I spent $42 on my medication since my health has not been stable, and I must manage my condition effectively. With the remaining $30, I bought food to alleviate the pressure on my son, who has been struggling to provide for us. These recent expenditures reflect my commitment to improving our living environment while also addressing immediate health needs and supporting my son’s efforts to sustain our family.

I don't have any other goals besides maintaining my health because I'm suffering from hypertension and arthritis. Fortunately, the transfers have ensured that I receive the necessary treatment on time, and I am able to cover the medical expenses, including having doctors visit me at home. This would have been a challenge if it weren't for GiveDirectly's support.

I am facing several medical complications in my old age, including arthritis and hypertension, which require expensive treatment. However, thanks to the monthly transfers, I am able to cover the cost of my medication. I spent the whole of my recent transfers on paying for my medical expenses. I am grateful that the doctor comes to my home to attend to me, and I no longer struggle to pay for my medical expenses. Additionally, I am now able to buy foodstuffs and have been able to maintain a healthy diet with three meals a day. This has greatly improved my health and well-being despite my age. I also purchased a goat which cost me $20 after saving for some months. So far, I own three goats and I am expecting that they will multiply, and be able to sell in case of a financial need.

I have decided to utilize my forthcoming transfers to purchase new clothing. Due to the financial strain caused by my health condition, I currently possess only two pairs of clothes. Acquiring new garments will not only enhance my appearance but also boost my self-confidence. Additionally, I intend to allocate some funds towards obtaining the necessary medicinal drugs that will aid in further improving my health. I am incredibly grateful for the financial transfers I have received thus far. They have provided me with the means to address both my clothing needs and medical requirements. The assistance I have received has made a significant difference in my life, and I cannot express enough appreciation for the support.

Over the course of the past two years, I have been confronted with a recurring illness that seems to intensify every two months. Despite numerous hospital visits, I have yet to find a lasting solution for my health condition. In order to manage my condition, I allocate $10 each month towards purchasing medication that helps regulate my blood pressure and prevent further escalation of symptoms. In addition to acquiring the necessary medication, I have also made a conscious effort to save $10 per month. This savings fund is intended to provide me with a safety net in case of emergencies, allowing me to access immediate financial assistance when needed. Furthermore, I have allocated $12 towards the purchase of nutritious food, particularly fruits, which aid in boosting my immune system and overall well-being. I am immensely grateful for the financial support I have received as it has enabled me to obtain the expensive medication required to improve my health condition. The assistance I have received has played a significant role in managing my illness and providing me with hope for a better future.

My current dwelling is not spacious, prompting my aspiration to construct a more expansive and secure residence. This new house will allow me to safeguard my belongings comfortably, especially during rainy seasons. Although I initially attempted to save funds for this endeavor, the persistent pangs of hunger hindered my ability to procure the necessary building materials. Fortunately, my efforts in agriculture have yielded a bountiful harvest, effectively mitigating the concern of food scarcity within my household. With reduced expenditures on sustenance, I now intend to redirect my financial resources towards the acquisition of building materials, starting with the purchase of iron sheets. My ultimate objective revolves around residing in a spacious and dignified home that remains stable against leaks during rainfall.

I spent my recent transfers towards acquiring two goats and three chickens, which I am currently tending to. My intention is for them to multiply, providing me with potential assets that could serve as a safety net in times of financial necessity. Additionally, I utilized some of the funds to purchase new clothing for myself, a thought that had been absent from my mind for several months. Typically, the transfers I received were previously spent mainly on food. Presently, my agricultural efforts have yielded a successful harvest, alleviating the challenge of food scarcity within my household. This positive outcome gave me the opportunity to consider investing in new attire. Furthermore, I also spent a portion of the funds to cover my medical expenses. I am content and relieved that I received proper medical care, eliminating the need to seek assistance from my family members as I had previously done whenever I encountered difficulties affording medication.

At the very least, I wish to own 5 goats by the end of the year. The reason for rearing these animals is so that they can build me wealth and a readily available source of income as I could sell these animals to cater to my needs. Also, am not happy with how small my current house is. Whenever I get visitors, am forced to request my relatives for extra accommodation, which sometimes inconveniences their space. This is why I want to build a new house with two rooms. I will be content if I bought the building materials like tree poles and iron sheets first, then hired someone to complete the project.

Over the last two years, I have been suffering from regular hypertension. The poor financial condition in my household has made it challenging to afford medication for managing the condition. The little earnings that my son makes from hawking bottled water can only buy food for the family (his wife, two children, and me). Mostly, the cash support with obtaining the medicines and securing more food for my family. For the last three months, I have used $10 on my monthly prescription, spent $14 on food, and saved the remaining $10. I thank God that the condition is stabilizing, not only through the drugs but also through the regular meals, which were hard to obtain before the cash aid. Furthermore, I can save part of the money to buy goats in the future as a source of wealth.

I applaud the organization for their kind deed of assisting the vulnerable by giving them financial independence through the unconditional transfers. I must admit that the transfers have greatly aided me in keeping my health from deteriorating further. I implore the organization to keep up the good work they are already doing and to maintain their vigilance.

Since receiving a high blood pressure diagnosis two years ago, my health has drastically declined. Due to my advanced age, I completely rely on my son and daughter-in-law to take care of my basic needs, such as covering my medical expenses. Their meager earnings from their part-time jobs hawking and selling charcoal make it difficult for them to support me. As a result, when I got my transfer, I spent $12 on medications to improve my health, which was at its worst. I used the remaining money to buy food in addition to the medicine. I prioritized purchasing fruits and vegetables to help my body fight off secondary illnesses and to strengthen my immunity. My good health has allowed me to smile more often, so I'm grateful for that.

I was in terrible pain and groaning helplessly as I lay on my bed. My daughter-in-law broke the good news that I had received my first transfer as she ran into my home while I was still in bed. She gently squeezed my hand as we both shed happy tears. She said a brief prayer and urged me to continue fighting. Knowing that the next day I would go to the hospital, receive treatment, and lessen the pain I was experiencing gave me great joy.

The ability to access medical services at a time when I was struggling financially is the biggest difference the funds have made in my life. After purchasing medication to prevent my health condition from getting worse, my health is now getting better. The situation was worse before the transfer arrived because my son's business dealings left him without the funds. I'm appreciative and hopeful that the money will make it easier for me to manage my health condition.

I used the entire $12 transfer to buy the right medication for my deteriorating health. I've been battling high and low blood pressure for the past three years. Due to my advanced age, my son and daughter-in-law are completely responsible for my financial needs. In Mombasa town, my son is a part-time casual worker selling bottled water out of a cart. I reside in the village with my daughter-in-law, who takes care of me. I go to the hospital every week for expensive medical checkups. The enormous responsibility of covering my medical expenses and providing for the needs of the family falls on my son. I occasionally have to skip the checkups because I don't have enough money. I'm grateful that the transfer allowed me to receive medical care when we didn't have the funds to do so.