I had wanted to have my own livestock for the longest time because they would help me plough my farm and I could also rear them for my own domestic gain. My house had also collapsed a while back due to heavy rainfall and if I managed to get funds I planned on renovating it and lastly I had been feeling unwell for quite sometime, I could barely hear and my head kept on pounding but since I could not afford medical care I toughened it out.

I am so thankful to GiveDirectly because for a while my sickness had made my health deteriorate and the constant pain was excruciating but after receiving the money I could afford visiting a doctor where I got medical attention and plus it enabled me to buy livestock that I had really wanted but had no means to afford.

The first transaction helped me in buying four cows and when the second transfers arrived I went ahead and bought cow feed which cost me almost KES 10,000 then acquired a mattress for KES 4,500 and a bed which was KES 5,000. I also went ahead to seek medical attention and the bills accumulated to KES 10,000. Then I helped in building my son a house as well which was KES 13,000 and eventually I bought two bags of maize flour which was KES 2,500 including the fare.

I can still recall just like the other day when my daughter who is also my helper came into my room and informed me about the good news that GiveDirectly had sent my first transfer into my Mpesa account. At first, I thought it was a prank but after checking the phone, I confirmed that it was real. I felt so happy because I knew there are hopes of living a better life. I also had hopes of finally going to the hospital and getting proper medication since I have been unwell for quite some time.

Having dairy cows has brought the biggest difference in my daily life. Since my spouse and I are both old and jobless, I thought this would be a reliable asset that we can depend on anytime. For all those years, we have been defending our children for our daily meals which sometimes was not achievable and we skip meals. I am positive that these assets would help me generate income through the selling of plenty of liters of milk. This is the main reason I bought the dairy cows. I believe the money will help me in meeting my family's other basic needs. I am so grateful to be among the beneficiaries of GiveDirectly because if it were not for them I wouldn't have achieved all these.

I spent part of my first transfer on buying three dairy cows and an ox at a total of KES 45000. I had been yearning to own them for quite a long time but because of the poverty life that had stricken my household, I could not afford them at all. I also cleared a hospital bill of KES 3000 since I have been unwell for a long and I did not have the required cash so that I could seek the medical attention. My health status has never been that good and I am now the happiest person on earth because after getting proper medication, I am happy I am fairing on well courtesy of GiveDirectly. With the remaining KES 7000 I had to buy sufficient foodstuffs since the doctor recommended that I should not skip any meal and I am glad this was a success.