My son will start his final year of primary school in January and will transition to secondary school at the end of the year after passing the final exam. In order to cover the increased tuition costs, I intend to diversify my farming practices. My current focus is on short-season crops that are not adversely affected by drought. I have a cabbage in the nurseries that I believe will be the beginning as I raise more capital from my small grocery business in the nearby markets.

GiveDirectly ensured that the enrollment process was transparent and that everyone in the village who met their eligibility requirements had a fair chance of being chosen. Despite the fact that many people wanted to give them advice, they stuck to their plan and ensured they verified everything themselves in every household. They also gained our respect because they were professional and did not waste time after work. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for giving me such a large sum for the first time and allowing me to choose how to spend it. We realized at the end of the program that some people who we thought deserved help were excluded due to the strict criteria that was used. It is my hope that GiveDirectly will consider visiting our villages to confirm their concerns in the few households that were excluded.

I had been buying milk for my family of six for more than three years prior to receiving GiveDirectly support. On a typical day, I would spend at least $2 on milk, sometimes up to $5 if we had visitors. I purchased a heifer a few months ago, but that did not eliminate the additional cost of purchasing milk. When I received the second transfer, I spent $230 on a lactating cow, which has been providing us with at least four liters of milk per day. We no longer spend money on milk unless we have visitors and need to add a few liters. I also paid $100 in school fees for my son, who attends a private elementary school. I was paying $80 per term, but I had to add $20 because I had some pending arrears. I also purchased $70 worth of groceries for my family, and the remainder was spent on new pairs of clothes for my four children. I am grateful for the assistance, which has changed a lot in my household and given me hope that I will do much better with the ongoing projects.

It was around 6:30 Pm I was busy milking when I heard a message notification on my phone. I did not check it out until I was done. When I checked it out there it was a message from GiveDirectly confirming that I have received the money. I felt so happy and immediately informed my family members and we all celebrated with lots of joy. That was the highest amount of money I have ever received. I knew I would be able to buy a dairy cow. We aligned well with my family and I went to withdraw the money the following day.

The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have purchased a heifer. This is because I always buy milk daily and this is so costly for me. I have always wanted to own a dairy cow but that was not possible because I had no money to purchase it. Majorly I do small-scale farming where by I plant maize and vegetables. The produce from my farm is for consumption and sometimes I sell some to pay school fees for my children in various schools. I had no extra money to save so that I can buy a dairy cow. This was so worrying whenever I had no money to buy milk. My children would go without milk. When I received the transfer from GiveDirectly I felt so happy because this was the opportunity to buy a dairy cow. Currently, I have a heifer and this has given me hope since when it reproduces in the next few months I will get enough milk for my family and even sell the extra to earn an income. The money that I will get I will use on paying the school fees for my children. Currently, I have devoted much of my time to this dairy-keeping project. I am so grateful for the support because GiveDirectly has changed our living standards.

I spent KES 15,000 on purchasing a heifer. The cost of buying milk daily is so costly for me. I have always wished to own a dairy cow because I did not have the money this was not possible. Currently, I have a heifer and this has given me hope in that I know when it reproduces in the next few months I will get enough milk for my family and cut the daily cost of purchasing milk. I spent KES 8,000 on paying the school fees for my children in various schools. They are now studying well without being sent home like before. Besides that, I spent KES 2,000 on plowing my fam ready for planting maize. I spent KES 12,000 on purchasing two sacks of maize. I saved KES 10,000 ready to start a business selling maize. The rest of the money I spent on food and household items.