My goal is to train the oxen that I bought with my second transfer for them to be ready for ploughing. I also intend to purchase an ox-plough which will help me in preparing my farm for planting. This will ensure that I produce enough food for the family consumption hence having food security. In addition, I will be able to hire them out to my neighbors at a fee to earn an extra living.

In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well in helping the poor households in the community with the unconditional cash transfer. This has installed hope in the hopeless that was brought up by the poverty situations. I am grateful for the aid, I do not see anything that it does not do well.

I spent KES 50,000 to purchase two oxen which will assist me in preparing my farm. Previously, I use to hire them from my neighbors. Most of the time I could get then the planting season is about to end because of their high demand. Similarly, hiring a pair is relatively expensive. This led to poor harvest hence food insecurity which left me struggling for a larger part of the year feeding the family. The remaining amount assisted me in acquiring enough food for the family of 4 members.

I had just come back home from fetching water when at 9 a.m, I received a message. It was a notification that I had received KES 55,000 from GiveDirectly. This made me so happy because I knew that my family's living conditions were about to improve.

Because of this transfer, my family's living conditions have improved tremendously. Until a few weeks ago, we lived in an old house that was almost falling to pieces. During the rainy season, I would hold my breath because I thought it would fall apart anytime. I am unemployed and therefore could not afford to change this. This made our lives very stressful. I'm grateful for the fact that this is no longer the case. I have built a new, spacious, modern house, thanks to the cash transfer from GiveDirectly. I no longer worry about the safety of my family. I also acquired two oxen. I am now able to work on people's farms and earn KES 2,000 per acre. This has enabled me to put food on the table for my loved ones. Thanks, GD!

My biggest aspiration in life has been to provide the basic needs of food, shelter and clothing for my family. However, this has proved almost impossible due to financial instability. Until a few months ago, for instance, we lived in a dilapidated house that was falling apart. You can imagine how sad it made me as a man to have my wife and two children living in these conditions. So I spent KES 32,000 on the construction of a new house for us. I also spent KES 22,000 on the purchase of two oxen. With these, I can work on people's farms and earn a living.