Towards the end of this year, I have set a significant goal: to continue raising goats on my homestead. Currently, I own nine goats, and I aim to double this number, with the ultimate goal of selling them to purchase a dairy cow. Achieving this milestone will be a significant accomplishment, as it will open up opportunities to generate income for my family through milk sales. I plan to use the upcoming transfers to facilitate this expansion of my livestock. I am confident that once this plan succeeds, I will no longer have to worry about school fees, which have been a constant source of stress for me for some time now.

I have been relying on selling chewing sticks as a source of income, but I have never earned enough to meet the needs of my family of five. First and foremost, fulfilling their essential needs like food, clothing, and education has always been the most challenging aspect for me. Therefore, I came up with the idea of investing in livestock so that, in the future, life can improve. With the recent cash, I managed to buy three goats and three chickens for $102. As time goes by, these animals will multiply, ensuring that my children can study comfortably without any hindrance. Additionally, whenever I experience financial constraints, I will be able to sell one or two animals to solve the problem. In the future, I plan to exchange some of these goats for a dairy cow so that I can get milk to sell, thereby doubling my income. In my opinion, these are well-thought-out assets that will help me soon.

My aspiration is to establish myself as a successful livestock farmer. With the recent acquisition of additional goats, I'm filled with hope and optimism that they will thrive, multiplying and increasing in number over time. Looking ahead, I'm eager to expand my farming endeavors by venturing into turkeys. It's all part of a larger vision where I see myself trading goats and turkeys in the future to acquire cows. The ultimate goal is to have a flourishing herd of cows, not just for milk production but also for their utility in plowing farms. This vision is not just about sustenance but also about building a sustainable source of income for myself and my family.

I've made a decision to revamp my living situation by addressing the sorry state of my house's roofing. It's been in dire need of repair, riddled with holes and wear. To kickstart this transformation, I've been steadily acquiring roofing materials, investing $34 of my transfers in this endeavor. Each purchase brings me closer to the day when I can finally overhaul the roofing, a prospect that fills me with genuine excitement and anticipation for a fresh start. In addition to improving my living conditions, I've also expanded my livestock farming venture. With $68 of the transfers, I've invested in additional goats, hopeful that they will thrive and multiply, ultimately contributing to my financial stability in the future. This new chapter in my farming journey is filled with possibilities and the potential for growth, adding another layer of fulfillment to my endeavors.

In the upcoming year, my goal is to expand my goat inventory. Presently, I own nine goats, and I aim to double this count, with the ultimate goal of selling them off to purchase a cow. Achieving this milestone will be a significant accomplishment, as it opens up opportunities to generate income for my family through the sale of milk. I plan to utilize the forthcoming transfers to facilitate this expansion of my livestock. I am content with the progress I have made this far and am optimistic about the positive impact this endeavor will have on the financial well-being of my family.

Operating my own water cart and selling water in Mariakani town is how I earn a living, providing for my family of four. The financial support received through transfers has been a significant blessing, allowing me to make substantial improvements in our lives. I am deeply grateful for these transfers as they have enabled me to invest in various areas, including purchasing goats, constructing a house, and acquiring chickens. The hardships that once characterized my life have now given way to a more favorable situation. A substantial portion of my transfers has been directed towards livestock farming. I allocated $68 to purchase two goats, intending to raise and eventually use them as a stepping stone to acquire cows in the future. In addition, I invested $20 in four chickens, with the remainder saved. My sincere appreciation goes to GiveDirectly for their invaluable assistance, which has played a pivotal role in bringing about these positive changes in my life.

I have a strong desire to enhance my income by making significant investments in livestock rearing. In addition to that, I am eager to venture into hen farming, both in layers and broilers, as it can provide an additional source of income to complement my current earnings. The financial support I have received thus far fills me with great joy, as it is enabling me to finally pursue long-held aspirations and turn them into reality. I am truly grateful for this opportunity to make my dreams come true with the help of the ongoing financial assistance.

With the money I received from the transfers, I made a significant purchase of two goats valued at $65. As a casual laborer who sells drinking water using a cart in Mariakani town, this investment holds great potential. I firmly believe that these goats will multiply in a relatively short period of time, allowing me to expand my assets. The primary objective of acquiring these goats is to eventually purchase both dairy cows and bulls. These animals will play a crucial role in helping me cultivate my land during the rainy season. It is a step towards improving my agricultural activities and increasing my productivity. In addition to the goats, I also used a portion of my savings to buy six pieces of iron sheets, contributing an extra $34 to cover the total cost. My intention is to completely replace my current roof, which consists of old, rusty, and leaky iron sheets. This improvement will provide me with a better living environment and protect my home from the elements. I am genuinely grateful for the financial support that has enabled me to pursue these goals. With my limited income from my job, achieving such milestones would have been challenging without this assistance. The support I have received has brought me a sense of joy and optimism as I strive to create positive changes in my life.

I have always desired to own cows but financial constraints and lack of relevant resources have been a major obstacle. There are so many benefits that I could rip from owning cattle. I could sell the milk they produce as well as hire them out for plowing tasks to raise funds. However, the far my income, from selling chewing sticks, can take me is secure food for my wife and four children; I cannot afford to buy cows with it. In the next few years, I hope to have saved enough money from the cash transfers to obtain at least 5 calves and let them grow.  

When I started receiving the transfers, I made up my mind to spend most of the money on buying livestock and building a bigger house. These are some of the things that I cannot afford from the income I make selling chewing sticks. The best I can do with my job is provide food for my wife and four children. So, I spent the recent transfer, $34, to obtain six iron sheets for the new house. Am not pleased with how broken my current house looks, especially as it has been around for the last ten years. Besides, being a one-room structure, I share the space with my six chickens that I obtained through a previous transfer. My aim is to construct a more spacious shelter, at least one with two rooms, where the extra chamber will provide a space for the chickens. 

Give Directly has done well in giving us support through monthly funds. The funds have enabled me to achieve goals like having a new roof, which was long overdue because of my financial constraints.

I am self-employed and use a cart (small open vehicle) to supply water. I sell water in 20litres plastic jerrican to Mosques, Schools and Restaurants. I have six children, but only two are in school. The rest are all grown and dependent. The money I received from the support program, which was $30, was spent on buying six pieces of iron sheets. Since I got enrolled, I have been working on how to repair my roof, which has old iron sheets that are rusty and leak during heavy rains. I am grateful because after the roofing contractor came to analyze and give a quote for the work to be done. He said that he needed twenty-five pieces of iron sheets in order to repair my two-roomed house.

I was overjoyed when I confirmed the receipt of my transfer because I did not have any money and was sick. That gave me hope that I would be able to obtain medication and see an improvement in my health condition. I received the transfer around 4 p.m., after taking a short walk to the nearby market center to seek payment for the charcoal I had sold on credit. I hoped that the money would allow me to at least purchase some pain relievers. I had no idea that my help was just around the corner. I am extremely grateful to GiveDirectly.

Initially, I was unable to seek medication because my family was unable to raise the necessary funds. However, with the transfer, I moved quickly, and I am glad that I have seen a positive change in my life. I'm feeling better and ready to get back to work. It would not have been the case if I had not received my transfer. Similarly, my family, which had begun to worry about my health condition, is overjoyed, and my wife keeps reminding me that I should thank GiveDirectly for its invaluable assistance in my life.

I had been sick for a few days prior to receiving my transfer. I had to bear the pain in the hope that it would go away on its own because I did not have any savings to use for immediate medication. Fortunately, despite my low emotional and physical state, I received the transfer. Without further ado, I chose to spend KES 1,500 on medication the following day. I am grateful that I responded quickly to the drugs and regained strength within two days. Because I wanted to buy a goat, I decided to save KES 1,500, which I will top up with the next transfer.