I am currently working on a project in which I make improvised cooking stoves. I had been learning from a friend for a year and began when I had mastered the ability to build with clay soil and then harden it with a kiln. The stove works best with local communities because it uses both charcoal and readily available firewood. I have been able to build up to 15 pieces in a day and have at least 50 pieces ready for sale at the end of the month, with each piece selling for $3. This is a new niche that I hope will help me pay off most of my household bills while also growing my savings for a new poultry project that I hope to start in the future.

When GiveDirectly arrived in our village, they made sure that everyone had a chance to go through the enrollment process and informed us that we would have to wait for the subsequent processes that would determine our eligibility. Even though we were curious about the outcome after enrollment, we were pleased that they took the time to explain how the process would unfold. Everyone was pleased with the detailed information, which provided a clear direction, expectations, and endpoint. I have no complaints, but I wish GiveDirectly the best of luck as they visit other villages with the same support. 

I spent $220 of my second transfer on adding a heifer to my field, hoping that she will soon give birth and increase milk production for both my household use and surplus for sale. I currently have one lactating cow that produces barely enough milk for my household. With the addition of the breed, I hope to see an increase in production, which will provide an additional source of income through the sale of milk. I also paid $40 in school fees for my two primary school children, which covered the entire term, to ensure that they attended all classes at the end of the term. In addition, I spent the remaining funds on household goods such as food, toiletries, and new clothes for my family of five. I am grateful for the help that has so far brought my family a lot of transformation and future hope.

When I confirmed the receipt of my transfer, I felt extremely happy. From the time I had been enrolled, I had been waiting with a lot of hope and expectation for the day that cash would be sent. I did not doubt that from the transfer, my life would change for the better. I had been having several struggles and stalled projects as a result of the financial constraint situation that my family was experiencing that I knew I could not handle alone. This is because I did not have any source of income. That confirmed to me that I would be able to complete paying the remaining balance for the parcel of land I had begun purchasing.

I was always heartbroken and discouraged after nearly losing a parcel of land that I had begun acquiring. However, GiveDirectly's transfer enabled me to reclaim the parcel, which has made a significant difference in my life. As a result, I now own 0.1 acres of land that I intend to use solely for crop production. In addition to our ancestral land, I will have a reasonable size of land for farming, so I anticipate an increase in my annual harvest.

From my transfer, I spent KES 22,000 on buying a lactating cow. My goal for this priority was to help in obtaining free milk. As a result, whatever I would have used to buy milk, I will be spending on acquiring food for the family. In addition, because I have begun purchasing a parcel of land, I had a balance of KES 7,000. I spent another KES 7,000 to clear the payment and at the moment, I am glad I have settled the debt. Prior, the owner of the parcel of the land was contemplating reselling the parcel to refund me what I had paid. I am glad that the deal is sealed and I am currently owning 0.1 acres of land which I shall use for farming. The rest of the transfer helped me to acquire some clothes for my children who are currently looking smart and presentable.