"Doing well in supporting the people with financial assistance which have helped them to have a good life"

"My current objective is to gather sufficient building materials, such as building poles and iron sheets, and begin constructing a new house. To achieve this, I've adopted a two-pronged approach. Firstly, I am purchasing some materials every month, steadily building up the resources needed for the construction, for now, I have 8 iron sheets. Additionally, I've joined a merry-go-round, contributing $10 regularly. This way, once I accumulate enough savings, I'll be able to purchase all the required materials to start the construction. In the coming year and beyond, my ultimate goal is to build a decent, spacious house where I and my children can comfortably live. The determination to provide a secure and stable home for my family drives me forward, and I eagerly anticipate the day that we can move into our new house."

"Since fleeing Arabal due to recurring conflicts, I have been living on land generously provided by a well-wisher, where I constructed a simple shelter for myself and my grandson, Joel. Initially challenging, the supportive community and support from GiveDirectly renewed my optimism and restored my independence. Living with Joel, who assists me in collecting the transfers, we have been fortunate to enjoy three meals a day and secure a rented piece of land along the riverbanks for farming and livestock investment. With the final transfer, I prioritized improving our living conditions by paying $250 to the landowner for a quarter piece of land, where I plan to construct a better structure alongside the existing one, which will serve as a kitchen. I allocated $185 for construction materials, including iron sheets and cedar poles, to build a more spacious and comfortable dwelling with enough room for a bed and seating. This upgrade will enable us to accommodate visitors comfortably, unlike our previous cramped quarters. Additionally, I invested $14 in purchasing a small plastic tank for water storage, simplifying water collection and ensuring a more reliable water supply compared to frequent trips to the river with smaller containers. I am grateful for the support from GiveDirectly, which has enabled us to make significant improvements in our living conditions and quality of life."

"At my advanced age, I never imagined I wouldd be making significant changes in my household, as I always expected my children to take over and ensure I aged gracefully. However, the entry of GiveDirectly into our village seems to have rejuvenated me, allowing me to fulfill long-held aspirations with their financial support. After investing the first two transfers in various projects, I allocated $200 from the final transfer to obtain construction materials, including sand, 12 bags of cement, and transportation costs for renovating my house's dusty floors. Previously, cleaning was a challenge, often complicated by infestations of fleas from livestock and pets. Now, I am delighted that the house is clean and easy to maintain, with just a cloth and water. I also made several other improvements, such as purchasing a new mattress for $28, four plastic chairs for $28, and other household items totaling $37. Since then, I have enjoyed comfortable sleep on my new mattress and feel more confident hosting visitors with ample seating. Additionally, I used $25 to seek medical attention when unwell, purchased a sack of maize for $50 to sustain my family of three, bought a goat for $50 to add to my existing herd, and still managed to save $30 for future household needs. I am profoundly grateful for this generous support, which has significantly improved our lives and filled us with hope for the future."

"For a long time now, droughts have been affecting us a lot, causing losses in both livestock and our farming activities. To continue providing for my family, which has gradually reduced to just two members after my elder children started their own families, I have had to sell off some of our goats, reducing our herd to just 5. With the first and second transfers from GiveDirectly, I managed to acquire 6 more goats, and then used $300 from the final transfer to buy another 6. I am happy and grateful that we now have 19 goats, with two of them giving birth last month. Since I am not physically able to farm or secure casual labor, I plan to focus on raising and breeding the goats, which will provide a safety net during tough times when we can sell them to buy food. Currently, I live with my grandson, who helps me look after the goats. I also spent $100 on purchasing two sacks of maize, which we are still using and should last us another month. Our meals consist of a hearty dinner and lighter breakfast and lunch. We used the remaining $50 to buy household essentials like kitchen consumables, toiletries, and milk, which we usually obtain on credit and settle the bill at the end of the month. I am grateful for the support from GiveDirectly; it has motivated us to strive for better living standards."

"I am happy to share that I recently graduated from high school with the help of the monthly financial support I received. Prior to that, I faced disruptions, but since receiving the transfers, my high school education has been seamless, and I was able to pay my fees on time. My current goal is to enroll in college and pursue a teaching course in September of this year. I plan on saving my transfers every month so that I can easily pay for my tuition fees. I am hopeful that with the continued support, I will be able to achieve my career goals."

"With the rainy season looming, I'm determined to build a new house. The fear of losing my current one to the downpour pushes me forward. Thankfully, I recently fulfilled my dream of owning another goat, which boosts my spirits. My plan is to kickstart the construction process as soon as possible. When our monthly transfer comes in, I aim to gather materials by pooling $30 from each of us. This collaborative effort will hopefully set us on the path to a safer, more secure home before the rains arrive."

"Right now, I'm focusing on breeding goats because they reproduce quickly. Once my goat herd multiplies, I aim to exchange them for cows, as the market rate is around 5 goats for a cow, and also get their nutritious milk. With cows and on the farm, I'll have extra help for tilling the shamba hence saving the amount that I could have used tilling using the tractor for other investments moreso they'll be a source of income too. I'm hopeful that by this time next year, I'll have around four cows and at least sixteen goats. It's a simple plan, but it fills me with excitement and hope for the future of my farm."

"My main goal is to acquire all the necessary building materials for constructing a new, durable house, which for now I have successfully acquired 30 building poles with hopes that soon I will be able to acquire all of them since the recent heavy rains have left me feeling unsafe residing in the current house, as it is at risk of collapsing at any moment. I aim to construct a resilient dwelling that can withstand adverse weather conditions. I am delighted and hopeful that with the financial assistance from the transfers, I will be able to realize my ambition of building a quality home for myself."

"What I wish for is for my four children to study up to their desired level of education. However, since I lack a reliable source of income, am worried that if I do not establish an investment out of the transfer, I may not be able to finance their education. Through future cash transfers, I have been able to acquire goat this quarter and hoping to buy more through the transfer. Am confident that when these animals increase in number it will increase wealth. In the future, I can sell them to support my children."