The new goals that I had were getting a cow that can plow and start a charcoal buying and selling business. However, given the current state of climate and drought in our area, there is no farming so I resolved on consultation with my wife, to buy a younger cow that we will try to look after carefully despite the drought hoping that it will survive and from it, we will get the cow that can plough.

I do not see anything that GiveDirectly is not doing well, in my opinion, everything is done well and all we have is gratitude and contentment. We are grateful and happy for the assistance we got from GiveDirectly.

Buying a younger cow is the project that took a huge part of the transfer which was KES18000 that we will try to look after carefully despite the drought hoping that it will survive and from it, we will get the cow that can plow because the current state of climate and climate does not allow farming so buying a cow that can plow is waste of money. I spent KES10000 to start a charcoal buying and selling business because I did not manage to get a good education that would enable me to get formal employment, therefore, I resolved to start this business which will be a relief to my wife and myself in the future since it will be a continuous source of income. I am so proud and happy.

I remember it was around 9 am when I was in the forest herding my neighbor's cattle. This is the job that I was depending on to provide for my family's basic needs like food. I heard a loud message notification on phone, I was eager to know the content of the message since it was around the dates that GiveDirectly promised to send us the transfer. I was overwhelmed with joy after discovering that I had received the transfer. I lead the cattle home to share the good news with the rest of my family members. My wife was extremely happy and we prepared to go to the nearby market to withdraw the cash since we had already planned on how to spend it.

The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am now living a comfortable life after accomplishing my desire of purchasing a piece of land. Previously, I use to cultivate in a low fertility land which resulted in food insecurity in the family. I was always struggling to put food on the table. The casual labor I was depending on was earning me a KES 150 per day which was not enough to feed us something that disturbed me. I am confident that I will have enough harvest from the new farm hence sufficient food for my family.

I spent KES 35,000 to purchase a one-acre piece of land. This is a future investment for the family, especially for my kids. The place that we are currently living in does not belong to us and to avoid any challenge that might arise in the future like land conflict I decided to purchase my land. In addition, I am planning to use this land to plant food crops like cassava and coconuts to provide a steady food supply for the family. Initially, our farm had low fertility rate which resulted in low harvest hence food insecurity for the family. This forced me to resort to casual labour like herding to put food on the table. I will be assured of getting enough produce for the family from the new, virgin farm. I also spent some amount to improve the condition of my house by putting up a new roof, previously, the house that I had was small to accommodate all my family members. Similarly, it was leaking due to the old, rusty iron sheets roof. I was spending sleepless nights with the family members during the rain season. My youngest child was always sick due to the cold as a result of our poor house conditions something that distressed me. Furthermore, I spend KES 4000 to clear the dowry payment that I owe my in-laws, this gained me the respect that I had lost for long period. I used the remaining amount to purchase food and clothing for everyone in the family.