Having the oxen is the best gift I can proudly mention so far. As a farmer, I have been yearning to have them but I could not afford. I am so grateful for the financial support I received from GiveDirectly. I will benefit in many ways from the oxen. First, in my farming activities. They will be of great help because they take little time to plough an acre compared to when I do the exercise myself. This will result in some good harvests. Secondly, the oxen will help me especially in fetching water. The dams are very far from the village it takes hours to travel to the dam sites. This will be a great relief to me.

In my opinion GiveDirectly has done us so good in my village. First, the number of children joining school has increased at a high rate. Previously, most of them dropped out of school because of school fees arrears. But the coming of GiveDirectly has made everything to change. We are so proud and happy as parents in my community. Secondly, we are now taking three meals a day like rest. Previously most of us could take a single meal or go without because of the financial status. Thirdly, everyone now has a spacious iron-roofed permanent house. Before the enrolment, everyone had old grass-thatched houses which were so leaky. According to me GiveDirectly never failed us in any sector.

I spent part of my second transfer on buying an ox plough at KES 10,000. This was purposely for the pair of oxen that I had previously bought. I then started a business of selling petrol which I spent KES 10,000 as well. Since most people in my village have motorbikes, petrol is of high demand. The business is now doing so well. The remaining amount of money I bought sufficient foodstuffs for my family. It has been long since we could harvest. Before the coming of GiveDirectly, my children could go to school while hungry. This was making them not to do well in school because they could not concentrate in class.

For so many years I haven't been able to get a good harvest from my farm. In most cases, I had to budget for maize for family consumption but this was expensive because I didn't have a reliable source of income. I'm happy I have oxen thus I'll be able to cultivate a large area hence expecting improved produce. This means I'll be sure of enough food for the family. Moreover, I expect more income because people will be hiring the oxen at a fee hence I believe my living standards will improve. This is the biggest difference in my daily life.

I was out in the farm weeding and at that time I had placed my phone in the shade as I was working. In the process of weeding, I remembered I was to call my spouse, so I went to get the phone so that I could make the call. The moment I got my phone I saw a message blinking and opened it. To my surprise, it was a confirmation message that had received money from GiveDirectly. It was such a joyous moment. I immediately called my spouse, shared the news with him and I could feel the joy in his voice when he got the news.

I bought an ox with part of the money I received from GiveDirectly so to add to the one I already had so that I'll use them for plowing both my farm and other people farm at a fee Since I couldn't afford to hire farm labors, I had to do all the work by myself. In addition to that, I didn't have proper bedding but some sacks which were so uncomfortable and I could wake up suffering body aches. I, therefore, bought a bed, mattress, and blanket and finally I can afford a peaceful night with no more body aches. I also used a portion of the money to purchase school items that my son didn't have when he was going back to school.