Once a livestock farmer, always one. I currently have 10 heads of cattle, with three of them almost giving birth. In the next year, I hope to continue raising livestock and producing milk for food and sale so as to earn income for the family of 1. I plan on selling the milk to the vendors at $0.5 a liter so as to purchase dairy feeds, stock lick, acaricides, and food for the household. I will be glad to invest my energy in other family needs aside from fending.

With the transfers, families have acquired assets, for instance, livestock; some have constructed houses; and some have educated their children, all because of the unconditional cash transfers. From the assets, they have gotten income, which in turn they have used to purchase food for the household. I am also glad that it is not a loan, so there is no worry about paying it back. I never wish for the organization to change its way of working.

What can an elderly woman ask for if not comfort and food? At 71 years old, I already shed my energy and cannot fend for the family through starving jobs but rather easily accessible jobs such as livestock keeping. I currently have 10 cows, of which I expect 3 to give birth soon and produce milk for my family of 1. I currently live alone, with frequent visits by my grandchildren, who live in the neighborhood. Since I live alone, I thought of stocking my house with food to last until the next harvest. I spent $90 on purchasing 1 bag of maize and 12 kilograms of beans. In addition, I spent $25 on a chair so as to sit comfortably, unlike before when I had none to even welcome my visitors to sit on. I saved the rest of the transfers for emergencies and upkeep, and now I will not have to bother my children for provision.

I received confirmation of the first transfer from GiveDirectly at approximately 3:00 pm, which I had been eagerly anticipating. As it was late in the evening, I did not want to risk walking to town and instead chose to collect the full amount the following day in the nearby shopping center with the assistance of my son. I was grateful for the transfer and looked forward to utilizing the funds to improve my family's life.

Since receiving the first payment from GiveDirectly, the biggest difference in my daily life has been the ability to purchase a dairy cow and a sack of maize for sufficient food. This has been a great relief as I am unable to work on the farm due to my age and have been relying on livestock farming. With the additional cow, I am now able to produce more milk to sell and pay for household bills. Additionally, the sack of maize has been helpful in ensuring there is enough food for me and my daughter. The support from GiveDirectly has made a significant impact on my livelihood and I am grateful for it.

As an elderly individual, I am no longer capable of working on the farm and instead rely solely on livestock farming, which is easier to manage with the help of a herdsboy. With the most recent transfer, I spent $300 on purchasing an additional dairy cow to add to the one I already had, along with two heifers. The income generated from selling milk has allowed me to purchase food and pay for other household expenses. Additionally, my son assists with managing the farming activities and shares milk from his own cow when necessary. I also purchased a $50 sack of maize, which I still use to cook for myself and occasionally with my daughter.