I want to expand the poultry project by bringing in a new brood of layers because it is already doing so well with only the expense of food as a major challenge. I intend to build a larger chicken coop with dedicated cages for the layers using the money I have already made from the few eggs I have been gathering and selling. This project will be beneficial since the layers' ongoing egg production will provide a steady cash stream that will aid in the launch of subsequent farm ventures.

There have been many changes since GiveDirectly first arrived in our community that would not have been possible without their support. We had previously received donations from other organizations, but GiveDirectly's was exceptional in that it was unconditional, allowing us to choose how to spend the money. Many people made investments in a variety of projects they thought would benefit their families. Although the initiative was nearly ideal, some people in our village who were in need and who everyone believed should receive support were excluded due to the criteria that was used. It would be good if this was addressed in the upcoming villages because it would make everyone more aware of the intended recipient.

I was eager to restart a poultry project that I had put on hold a year earlier after losing all of my brood to the flu when I got my second transfer. I invested $100 in renovating the chicken coop and making sure I put back all the equipment required for a hygienic feeding area. Initially, I raised layers because I wanted to profit from the sale of eggs as well as the sale of chickens when they were fully grown. However, with this initiative, I have introduced an enhanced breed that lays eggs and whose flesh is still in high demand. I bought 30 chicks for a reasonable $150 because I bought them locally. It has been difficult to provide them with a healthy environment throughout their early development; therefore, I am happy that they have been growing so quickly. I used some of the money that was left over to purchase the feeds, and I presently have $100 in savings set aside as an emergency fund in case I decide to increase the feeds.

It was exactly 7:30 in the evening I was just relaxing after a very busy day when I realised that there were three new messages on my cellphone. I decided to check where the texts were coming from, I was excited and thankful to learn that GiveDirectly had fulfilled its promise. I had to share the good news with my spouse and started planning on the same.

The biggest difference in my daily is that I was able to revive the poultry farming that I used to operate some years back. This business used to be of help to me because I used to supply eggs and broilers all over the town centre whereby I generated good income. During those days, I couldn't strain in meeting my family's needs at all. However, it reached a point whereby was forced to sell all the chicken because of the emergency that I had. Ever since life has never been the same again. I have been encountering so many challenges like the issue of food security and paying fees for my two children among others. Having revived this project has therefore project so much joy and hope in my life because I am certain soon I will start supplying the products and earn a living.

I spent KES 20000 of my first cash transfer on starting poultry farming. I have been operating this kind of business for quite some time but it collapsed at some point because of the financial challenges I have been through. Also, I bought poultry feed and drugs to protect them against any kind of viruses and infections. To add to that I paid school fees of KES 10000 for my two children who are in grade three in boarding schools. With the remaining cash, I had to construct a water tank shed. Which has been of help because the stored water is no longer contaminated like before .