Nothing would make me happier than to expand my livestock business. Having the ability to buy more stock would imply that I would make more money. This, in turn, will improve my children's overall lifestyle. The ultimate goal is to provide them with a better life.

Being the sole parent can be extremely stressful. I've had to fend for myself without a partner. GiveDirectly was chosen as that partner. They have walked alongside me like no one else has before. I hope they continue to bless others as they have blessed myself and our community.

Life hasn't been easy for me as a widower with six children. Trying to provide for us all on my meager income has proven nearly impossible. For a living, I cut trees and burn them to make charcoal. While it is my trade, I am hampered by the small margins I receive from selling a sack of charcoal at $7 per sack. The funds from GiveDirectly appeared to be a  dream come true. I bought two bills and two heifers with the intention of breeding them. Unfortunately, as is the case for most people in my area and across the country, the drought struck and they all succumbed. I was left with only my business, which I had also started.with the funds from GiveDirectly. I bought and sold livestock and used the proceeds as capital. I intended to set aside some money for my children's tuition as well. With my eldest having only completed Grade 7 before dropping out, I place a high value on the education of his siblings. I pay a total of $75 per term for the five kids combined. The two eldest are both in Grade 7 at Mariango Primary, while the three youngest are in Grades 4, 3, and 1, all at Wacho Primary School, from the eldest to the youngest. If it hadn't been for GiveDirectly, I was quickly approaching the point where life would be impossible to sustain. I will be eternally grateful to them for affording me the opportunity to be a father and mother to my children once more.

It was around noon when I saw the message notification from my mobile but since I couldnt read it, I asked my elder son to confirm for me who it was. Upon checking he realized that it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly they have finally debited my first transfer as promised. I was so happy and positive that I would finally boost my long-time business. We celebrated as a family and thanked God for remembering us at these difficult moments in our lives.

The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am now hopeful and happier. This is because the transfer will enable me to boost my longtime business of buying and selling goats in the markets. I believe for now I will be able because I can now import and export the goats from different markets easily unlike before whereby I used to restrict my business within my local markets. This led to low income and I could not provide for my family's needs on time. Being a widower with a family of six it has t been easy for me at all. Sometimes my children would stay home for weeks because of the fees arrears since I couldn't afford to constantly pay the fees at the required time. I am now a happy father because having have boosted the business is will soon be producing good returns and I believe I will comfortably provide my family's needs with less struggle like before.

I spent part of my first transfer on buying foodstuff such as a bag of maize KSH 3000 which has been of help to me becasue my children no longer skip meals as they used to do. In addition, I also bought livestock more so oxen which I believe will be of great support to my agricultural activities. For years, I have been yearning to own them but I couldnt afford it, I have been using my own hands to plough my farm which was very tiring. I am also planning to boost my business of buying and selling goats which I have been operating for the past five years. Finally, I paid school fees for my four children who are still in primary school. I am happy they are no longer being sent home regularly as before.