For the past few years, I have been interested in establishing livestock farming in order to increase the profitable production of milk. This was not possible due to a lack of resources to invest in this idea. I am grateful that after receiving the GiveDirectly transfers; I was able to purchase a dairy cow, which I am hopeful will deliver on this goal. At the moment, my new goal is to expand the grazing fields and plant more feeds for my current farm's four dairy cows. When compared to outsourcing feeds, this will simplify the feeding process and reduce production costs.

After GiveDirectly arrived in our village, the free cash transfer model was the best thing that could have happened to me and my family. This assistance came with the freedom to spend money on decisions based on our challenges. GiveDirectly did a good job at safeguarding our transfers from fraudsters through comprehensive education in the initial meetings and later following up to ensure that everyone received their fair share. I only wish they would conduct more field visits to see the impact that the cash has had on many families and to learn whether some people misused their transfers rather than relying on the information we provide them over the phone.

Despite the devastating drought that continues to hit and destroy our farm produce, I am grateful that diversifying to livestock farming has always increased productivity, which has consistently supported my family of three. At the moment, almost all of my focus and investments have shifted to dairy farming, with the goal of increasing milk production so that I can sell it to purchase other household goods. After receiving the second transfer, I was relieved to spend $500 on a six-month in-calf dairy cow due to give birth in the next two weeks. There were two cows on my farm already, a Jersey and an Ayrshire. I was fortunate to obtain another good Friesian breed, and I believe its progeny will increase my income, allowing me to provide for my family more easily. I spent the remaining $30 on feeds and supplements that were missing from their food store. My family has benefitted immensely from GiveDirectly's generous cash assistance, which I am grateful for.

I was very happy and thankful when I I realized I had received my first promised transfer from Givedirectly. At that moment I was preparing to leave to work and I heard my phone vibrate and when I opened it was an MPESA message confirming the transfer. I had to wait till the next day to withdraw the transfer since I needed to align all my plans.

The biggest difference in my daily life is the achievements that I have achieved so far. I am grateful to Givedirectly for the support that has brought a lot of changes in our household. I look forward to my second transfer and I hope to do more.

After enrollment, I sat down with my wife to discuss what to spend both our transfers on. Being a dairy farmer, we agreed on purchasing a dairy friesian cow with KES 51,000. This was an addition to the ones that we had before. We currently milk eight to ten liters of milk per day. The huge investment in dairy cows was a great boost in milk production which will allow supply one of the biggest milk processing companies next to our town and hence get income to cater to our needs. With the remaining amount, I spent in buying clothes for my family members who were equally happy and thankful to Givedirectly.