Through the GiveDirectly transfers, I have bought my own dairy cow hence reducing milk purchasing costs for the past seven years. I have also improved my house from a tiny old grass thatched house to a more spacious Iron roofed house.The transfers have also enabled me access clean water and this has helped save the time that would be used for fetching water on farming. All these would be possible were it not for GiveDirectly.

I commend GiveDirectly for improving our living standards.

I spent part of my transfer on installation of clean piped water because there's water scarcity in our place and the water sources are quite far. The remainder I spent on two young bulls as an investment for buying a piece of land in the near future.

I remember vividly well it was around 1pm while holding a fundraiser function for my settlement of my late mother's hospital bill when I received the transfers. I heard my phone ring and on checking the new SMS it was the GiveDirectly money and I was very happy and relayed the good news to a friend who sat next to me who hadn't received and was quite worried.The fundraiser was successful because people who received the money started contributing generously and I was very grateful.

The biggest difference in my daily life is owning a dairy cow and two goats which I had desired to buy for the past four years but couldn't. Initially, I had saved the money and bought a dairy cow which just died a day after buying and my focus shifted. The dairy cow will aid in milk production for my family and in future can be sold off for a piece of land which will give me peace. I am also grateful because now I have peace as compared to before when I almost lost teaching job because I didn't have required documents because I couldn't afford.I have also grown healthier and happier than before.

I spent KES 30,000 of my transfer on purchase of a dairy cow because initially I used to buy two liters of milk per day which would amount upto KES 2100 per month. I also bought two goats because they grow very fast and can be an alternative milk source. I also spent KES 6000 on two bags of maize meal because initially we used to buy 2kgs a day which was quite difficult because I used to rely on my temporary teaching job. I used KES 5000 on buying latest clothing fashion because I couldn't afford due to hardness of life in our area and I used to have one clothing meant for occasions. I spent KES 3000 on settlement of my milk debt. I have also saved KES 5000 for expanding my poultry farm because it will cater for household expenses in the near future.