I used a part of my first transfer to fence my compound with a barbed-wire fence. This has created an ambient atmosphere for poultry farming which I intend to focus on in two months. The income from the project will help with school fees payment soon and the eggs will be a source of food for my family. I am also planning to increase milk production through the purchase of another heifer.

In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well to change our living standards. This is because through the transfers I got the capital to start my shop business. Now, I am grateful because I am self-employed a dream that could take me 10 years to realize but GiveDirectly has made it possible.

Before GiveDirectly, I used to rely on dairy farming and farming sukuma wiki, and indigenous vegetable farming to pay school fees and feed my family as well. When I received my second transfer I saw this as an opportunity to start my own business. I, therefore, used KES 25,000 as capital to stock my shop with a variety of food items and other commodities on demand. And now from the daily sales, I get up to KES 500 on profits. Secondly, I used KES 15,000 on adding my posho mill stock. This is because earlier I didn't have the capital to stock it hence low returns. But with increased maize stock I now get up to KES 200 as profits each day. Thirdly, I also spent KES 10,000 on planting three points of sugar cane. This is because sugar cane is a rich source of livestock feeds and boosts milk production. I only have one dairy cow and I normally sell about five liters each day. Lastly, I spent KES 1800 on six egg layers in addition to the four I had. This has helped in small household expenses because I sell about 35 eggs each week.

With my daughter at home that morning, we were very excited to receive a message the confirmed the receipt of the first transfer. I was very grateful when I confirmed that it was indeed the promised KE S55000 since I had planned all that I needed to do with the money. I could not withdraw the money immediately but after four days when I wanted to make my first purchases, I visited the nearby shopping center and made my withdrawals.

The biggest difference in my daily life after receiving the transfer is the great investment in livestock that is already bearing the desired fruits. Increasing the area under the nappier grass for my two dairy cows will soon result in a mass supply of feeds and hence an increase in milk production of milk from my livestock. On the other side, I invested adequately in the chicken project that has been a great source of income over the past few months as I sell both eggs and chicks to the neighborhood. This is a great boost to raising school fees for my six children currently in school and also foodstuff for the household.

The excitement that I had on receiving the first transfer was so great that I could visualize the great steps I would be taking on implementing the great ideas I had in mind. With the first KES 10000, I injected into the almost-dying maize business that I was running previously alongside the maize milling machine that I have. I had to bring in some sacks since I had exhausted the previous stock. With the other part of the remaining transfer, I spent KES7000 on boosting the livestock sector. I managed to improve the nappier field by bringing in certified cuttings that even though their growth haad been slow due to the dry weather condition we are experiencing, I am glad that all picked and I am hoping to see a lot of changes that will improve the feed supply to my two dairy cows once the rain starts. I also constructed a new house for my four daughters who have been sharing a small space within the existing single room. I purchased 14 iron sheets and other construction materials, and at the end of the process, I could account for a total of KES 22000. I bought six rolls of chain links, bought additional 10 chickens with the remaining amount, and paid the labor charges on the reconstruction of the chicken coop that looks great at the moment as it is spacious enough to accommodate all the chickens with their chicks. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for this timely support and I hope to do a lot more with the last transfer once I receive it.