My new goal is to do more investments like buying of dairy cow so that I be more empowered and in a position to foot my own bills. The cow that I bought with the second transfer is almost calving and once it haves its first calf, I will use the proceeds from the sale of milk to save and buy an additional dairy cow. I am so much grateful for the support as I remain optimistic that this new goal shall be a reality soon.

In my opinion GiveDirectly did very well by giving us the money to spend unconditionally. The fact that we were given an opportunity to decide on what to spend the money on rather than being directed was a great show of respect. This lead to people making decisions that were of great benefit to them at the end of the day. I did not find anything with GiveDirectly on the other hand that I thought did not go well or should have been improved.

I used KES 20000 to build a new house and used the remaining amount to buy a dairy cow worth 35000. I made a decision to buy a dairy cow since I did not own one having sold out those that I owned to pay dowry for my sons. This was a perfect opportunity to redeem myself and buy a dairy cow that is already in-calfed. I am looking forward to seeing it have its first calf and making our lives better by reducing the cost of living for us. I also built a new house since I had for a long time lived in a grass thatched house and felt the need to build a new one but I did not have the means to do it. I am very happy that I have been able to accomplish all these.

At my age, I no longer do much work. So that particular day, at around 4 pm I was relaxing outside my house when I heard an SMS alert on my phone. And because I don't know how to read I gave the phone to my helper who confirmed that I had received KES 55,000. I was very happy and my helper withdrew the money for me the following day.

The biggest difference in my daily is to purchase a dairy cow which I couldn't afford. This will be a good source of milk once it reproduces. Initially, I had dairy cows but all were used in dowry payment. I am also grateful because I have adequate food unlike before when I used to buy in small amounts due to low income.

I am an old man and in my community, a dairy cow is the most precious asset everyone should own. But I didn't have even one because I had used all my cows in dowry payment for my daughters-in-law. Therefore I have been relying on my last born to feed me and my wife. Fortunately, when I received my transfer I saw this as a dream come true. I, therefore, spent KES 35000 on a dairy cow which is almost due. This will be a source of milk for nourishing me at my old age. A dairy cow is very important because as an old man I need milk to nourish my health. Secondly, I had desired to live under an iron-roofed house for a long but could not afford it. So when I received the transfers, I spent KES 4,000 on house construction trees in preparation to build a better house once I receive my second transfer. Lastly, I also spent KES 9000 on three bags of maize which will sustain my family for a longer period. Earlier on, to get food I relied on my son who does a second-hand clothes business. I also spent KES 3, 000 on the latest clothing fashion and nowadays we are decently dressed unlike before when we could only afford second-hand clothes.