The decision to invest in livestock has brought joy in my heart. I am filled with excitement as I envision a future where my livestock multiply and become a thriving source of income. This investment is not just about the present, but also about securing a better future for myself and my family. This brings me immense reassurance that I will not fall back into the clutches of poverty that once plagued my life. Having a stable and growing herd of livestock means that I have valuable assets that can be utilized during challenging times. In times of need or emergencies, they can be a lifeline, providing financial support and security. Moreover, investing in livestock aligns with my passion for farming and animal husbandry. I take great pride in tending to my livestock, ensuring they are well-fed, healthy, and happy. The bond I share with my animals fosters a sense of responsibility and dedication, knowing that their well-being is essential to our mutual prosperity. I am grateful for the opportunity to invest in livestock, and I am committed to nurturing this endeavor with utmost care and diligence.

I remember the days when I had to sell charcoal just to scrape together enough money to buy food and pay for my children's school fees. It was a constant struggle, and the fear of not being able to meet these essential needs was ever-present. But with the transfers from GiveDirectly, I am now out of that poverty den, and I cannot express enough how grateful I am for this life-changing opportunity. One of the transformations in my life is my ability to pay school fees without any worries. My children no longer have to face the heartbreaking experience of being sent back home due to unpaid fees. Moreover, I have expanded my farming activities from just one acre to an impressive four acres. With more land under cultivation, I am confident that my agricultural produce will increase, providing more food for my family and even surplus to sell and generate additional income. The impact of the transfers has been truly transformative, lifting me out of the hardships of the past and paving the way for a brighter and more promising future.

With the transfers I received, I saw an opportunity to invest in my future financial stability. I used $50 to start a hotel business, believing that it could be a lucrative venture and boost my income significantly. This business has opened up new possibilities for me, and I am determined to make it thrive. Allocating $50 for school fees was a wise decision. Previously, I relied on selling charcoal, which was not providing enough income to meet the educational expenses of my children. With the transfers, I can now comfortably pay for their schooling, ensuring they receive a good education. Farming has always been my passion, and with $120, I seized the opportunity to expand my farming activities. Instead of farming on just one acre, I can now utilize a total of 4 acres of land. This expansion will increase my agricultural output, providing more opportunities to generate income and improve my family's well-being. To secure my future financial stability, I used $230 to add to my livestock. I already had some goats and cows so I bought two more goats and one dairy cow, and with this additional investment, I am taking steps towards building a sustainable source of income. Having a stable livestock base will ensure I have the resources to support my family's needs, including school fees for my children when they grow up. I am confident in securing a more prosperous and stable future for myself and my family, I am immensely grateful for this opportunity

I remember it was around 2 p.m. and I was doing my afternoon routine chores when I heard a message notification on my phone. I went to it so I could open and read it to see who it was, or maybe it was even Safaricom sending their advertisement messages. I was overwhelmed with happiness to see that the transfers from GiveDirectly have been received. I could not believe it was becoming a reality that I was going to handle such an amount of money in my lifetime. And the first thing that I could think of was how to use this amount of money in a way that it will generate income and not just consume it on things that, once they are done, I get back to my position of lack again.

There are noticeable changes after the transfers, such as having to farm on the entire piece of land, which was impossible in previous years due to financial constraints and also a persistent drought. However,  this time we are hopeful because it has rained generously and the farms all over the village are green. Another notable difference is that my child is wearing a school uniform today, as opposed to every other day, when she would wear her home clothing and be sent home frequently due to tuition arrears. We brought lots of food with us, which was not always the case; occasionally we would go an entire day without eating anything.

I bought four goats for $15 and one dairy cow for $15, knowing that with animal products in my home, I will be covered financially because I will sell one and keep the rest as they multiply. The dairy cow I purchased was still a young one, but in no time it will be mature and will be able to begin producing milk, which will be extremely beneficial in that I will cut on the amount of money spent buying it and also sell the extra to earn some income. I also had to spend $4 on planting 2.5 acres of land where I planted maize, and I am hopeful that I will reap as much as I planted. This time, I purchased plenty of food for $5 in order to save time and money. Food is expensive at our village's small kiosk, so I decided to go to a nearby center and buy it in bulk so that I could spend less money. I was also able to pay school fees and buy a uniform for my child, who had been going to school in home clothes due to my inability to buy the uniform; she is happy since she is no longer the odd one out, and she will no longer be sent home for school expenses. Aside from that, I was able to save $10 from the transfers, which will assist me in managing my daily needs in the house and maybe when an emergency arises.