Over the next year, my goal is to sell my chickens and transition into raising goats. Goats thrive in our area, presenting a promising venture for me. The decision is rooted in the recognition of the favorable conditions for goat farming, anticipating both personal benefits and economic sustainability. By diversifying into goat rearing, I aim to tap into the agricultural potential of our region, capitalizing on the resilience and productivity of goats. This aligns to my goal of cultivating a sustainable and profitable agricultural enterprise.

I spent $25 from my recent transfer on purchasing chickens, leveraging my successful poultry farming venture. At the moment, I have a flock of 15 chickens, and I am planning to market and sell them in December. The consistent monthly transfers play a crucial role in sustaining this enterprise by facilitating the purchase of essential chicken feeds. It has therefore, alleviating financial challenges associated with my poultry farming activities. This support ensures a smoother operation, allowing me to focus on the growth and well-being of my poultry, contributing to the overall success and sustainability of my agricultural endeavors.

In the coming year and beyond, my plan is to invest in more livestock, specifically chickens and goats. I have chosen these animals because they are easy to keep and care for. Also, they have a quick maturity rate, making them ideal for breeding and generating income through the sale of their offspring. Although I currently provide taxi services with my motorcycle, the income it generates falls short of meeting my numerous household needs. By prioritizing the acquisition of goats and chickens, I aim to supplement my income significantly, thereby ensuring I can adequately provide for my family's needs and cover my sibling's education expenses. I see these livestock projects as a promising opportunity to improve our financial situation and secure a better future for my siblings. The monthly transfers I receive will play a crucial role in realizing this plan.

I cannot express enough gratitude to GiveDirectly for the incredible impact their financial support has had on my life. Before receiving the transfers, my living conditions were deplorable; my house was in disrepair and too small for my family. However, with the combination of the transfers and some monthly savings from my motorcycle earnings, I was able to purchase building materials like iron sheets and poles. This enabled me to construct a spacious and decent house, bringing a sense of peace and security to my family. Achieving this would have taken me years without the support. My toilet's roof was also in poor condition, and I renovated it by purchasing iron sheets for $13. Additionally, I also used $10 to purchase essential foodstuffs such as maize flour and other cereals. As a result, my family never had to endure a day without sufficient food. Furthermore, since my income from providing taxi services with my motorcycle was limited, I saw an opportunity to invest in a more sustainable venture. With the transfer, I took the initiative to purchase chickens for $15 to kickstart a poultry project. I am determined to expand this project by acquiring more chickens, which will enable me to establish a thriving poultry business.

When I joined GiveDirectly's program, I knew I would begin to receive regular financial assistance. With that assurance, I set out a goal to construct a pit latrine in our home, as we had none. I started focusing on this project at the beginning of the year, and I am delighted I have accomplished it in three months. In addition, I intend to start raising goats and cows, as well as poultry farming. These undertakings will benefit me much in the long run as they expand. Although I have never raised other livestock, I am optimistic about the success of poultry farming because I began practicing it a couple of years ago.

Owing to the droughts and famine in our area, I always prioritize spending my transfers on food and water acquisition so that we can keep a life. With my recent transfer, I spent $15 on food for a family of ten members. It has been a big struggle since we do not have reliable sources of income. My elder brother and I occasionally take primary responsibility for meeting the family's needs. Because we did not have a pit latrine, I opted to build one with part of the transfer. I had begun the project with part of my January transfer. I also spent $19 from the recent transfer to complete the remaining portion of the pit latrine. I feel good since, with the completion of the pit latrine, we enjoy good sanitation.

I have always dreamt about owning livestock but financial constraints have hindered my capacity to acquire one. As a motorcyclist operating in the village, the little I make can barely cover anything beyond food. Am grateful for the cash transfer as they present an ideal opportunity to buy and expand my herd over the next few years. Having recently completed a house construction exercise using previous transfers, I aim to channel each of the upcoming transfers toward buying goats. I would be content if I own at least 12 goats by the end of the year.

When I was younger, I frequently went potty in the bushes. My parents, who are peasant farmers, were unable to construct a toilet because their primary source of income from farming produced very little profit. Three years ago, there were enormous thickets and bushes that would cover anyone going for either a short or long call. These bushes are currently nonexistent as a result of the drought's effects, which have dried out the entire vegetation cover. For my family and I, relieving ourselves has been difficult because we frequently need to ask our neighbors for permission to use their toilet. I decided to construct a pit latrine when I got my transfers so that my extended family could relieve themselves. The majority of my family members, who were suffering because there was no toilet at our homestead, are now less stressed as a result of this.

I spent my previous transfers building a new house. I did not have a house and would sleep at my friends’ houses. Doing so I felt I invaded their privacy and the pressure was on me to save enough money and build my own house. I am happy that with the help of the transfers and some more savings from my job as a motorcycle taxi “Boda Boda”, I built a magnificent house. When I received my recent transfer, I bought a metallic door and fixed it on my house. I am confident that my property and I will be safe while inside the house.

In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well in offering financial aid to the poor. Majorly, my community members have been struggling to obtain food for their family members. Through this, many parents have not only been able to acquire food for the family but also to pay school fees for their children. As a result, many children have been able to be in school most of the time thus contributing to their positive performance. So far, I have not witnessed what GiveDirectly does not do well.

From my savings, I had begun building a new and spacious three-bedroomed house. However, there was a section that had not been completed. I was therefore short of 10 iron sheets to complete it. Immediately after I received my transfer, I opted to spend it on buying three iron sheets for KES 2,850. I have been living in a small single-roomed house. It is old and almost falling since it has been in existence since 2012. The current house is spacious thus it will serve me and my family so comfortably. Without the transfer, I would have not yet added additional iron sheets since my boda-boda business has not been giving good income in the recent past.

This had been a tiring morning as I was not working since my motorbike was being repaired by my mechanic at the garage. I received the amount at 9am and was happy as I would pay up for the repair costs and get back to work. I withdrew the cash that same day.

Having had the goal to buy iron sheets and build a good house even before the enrollment, I saw this as a great step to achieving that and with further amounts received, I will buy cows and practice livestock farming for both commercial and personal growth.

I own a motorbike which I use to run my daily business of ferrying people to their destinations at a fee and being single and with no kids, I save up the amount I get and put to good use. On a good day in the business, I make KES 1000 and on bad days KES 400. I had been building my house from the savings I had and on receiving KES 1200 from GiveDirectly, I was able to buy one iron sheet at KES 950. I spent an additional KES 220 to purchase food products for my households hence no sleeping hungry.