My life is currently different because the transfer has enabled me to build a decent iron roofed house. Had it not been this money, then I wouldn't be having a decent iron roofed house considering the financial hardship that I was facing. In addition, I managed to build another house for my children. I also have livestock which includes a pair of oxen and some goats. Having the pair of oxen will help me in doing my farming timely.

In my opinion, GiveDirectly has done well in fulfilling their mandate of eradicating poverty by issuing these transfers without any strings attached. We have been able to build new houses and also owning livestock as assets to us. We were able to uplift our own lives through this money. I do not see anything GiveDirectly does not do well.

I spent part of my second transfer on buying four goats and a pair of oxen that I am currently keeping them at my homestead. I am using the pair of oxen to plough my farm. I used to hire oxen from neighbors during the planting season. Having my own pair means I won't be incurring any more cost on farming. I also bought some building materials that include building poles, iron sheets and nails in order to build a house for my children. Seeing them seeking shelter from the neighbors at night troubled me a lot. I am at peace now that they have a good shelter and they are no longer sheltering in the neighbors anymore. I spent the remaining amount to cater for my son's medication since he was ill. I spent the remaining amount to buy foodstuffs and paying for other household needs.

Early and timely preparations for farming has been a challenge to me for many seasons. As a farmer, I was using only hoes to cultivate and this would take us days to finish just an acre. I could not afford to hire a tractor and the only alternative to this is to hire the oxen from neighbors. Although they are economical, practical and readily available, hiring them was expensive to me. I could not plough my whole acreage. The money from GiveDirectly has enabled me to buy my own pair of oxen. From now onwards, I will no longer be hiring from anybody, instead, I will be hiring to them at a fee. Also, the pair will enable me to plough a bigger acreage timely to increase food production. Owning this pair of oxen to me is the biggest difference in my daily life as it will ensure food security to the family as a result of large acreage.

I saw the transfer early in the morning and I realized it had been sent earlier around 2 am. When my helper read it out to me, I could not believe that GiveDirectly had sent me the first transfer they had promised. I was overjoyed and peaceful for the money would help me to fulfil some things that seemed difficult for me, like providing daily food for my family.

I spent a portion of my first transfer on buying a pair of oxen. As a farmer, it is my desire to do my farming early and timely. Having a pair of oxen is a convenient, advantageous and economical alternative to a tractor in our rural area. At least now I will be able to cultivate my farm early to catch up with the rains which at times are not adequate in the region. This will improve harvests and increase food production for my family. Having enough food means that I will not be buying any more. Apart from this, I paid for my son's medical bill. He had been hospitalized for some time due to an illness. I spent the rest of the transfer to provide daily food for my family. Ever since GiveDirectly came to us, food has never been a problem unlike before when we could stay without food for some days.