"I serve as a pastor, and alongside my wife, we engage in farming to provide for our family. However, we encountered significant challenges during a prolonged drought, leading to food scarcity and the loss of twenty-five cows. Fortunately, the support from GiveDirectly has been a tremendous blessing, not only to us but also to our entire community. Through this assistance, we have witnessed positive changes, including the emergence of savings clubs and improved access to food and education. Previously, my children faced the constant threat of being sent home from school due to unpaid fees, but now, thanks to these transfers, they can continue their education uninterrupted. I used $58 to clear a school fee debt for my son in secondary school, and another $30 to purchase a goat and two chickens, which I plan to raise and sell later on at a profit. Additionally, I allocated $14 to purchasing cement for renovating the floor of our house, significantly enhancing our living conditions. I am filled with happiness and gratitude for being part of such a remarkable initiative that has uplifted the lives of my people."

"I bought a very huge cow at 2500000 and now I am even enjoying the milk"

"Receiving my second transfer, my mind couldn't focus on anything but fulfilling my desire to own a dairy cow. We already have two Boran breed cows at home, but their milk production is low. From both cows combined, we only get a total of 3 liters per day during the calving stage, which isn't much. We mainly use it for consumption within our household. I desired to have a cow with high milk production so that I could sell the surplus and earn extra income. I purchased a dairy cow for $500, contributing $50 of my own money alongside the $450 I received from GiveDirectly. This cow has promising milk potential; currently, I'm getting 2 liters of milk a day, and it's almost drying up, indicating that during calving, I will likely get even more milk. I plan to sell this milk to support my husband in providing for our family's needs. This way, we won't have to solely rely on his income. We have six children ( two girls and four boys). I am a farmer, while my husband is a primary school teacher. On our three-acre farm, I cultivate maize and vegetables. However, Sometimes, production is lower than expected, and it can be costly, especially with the expenses of using a generator for irrigation. In addition, there are times when the river dries up, resulting in poor harvests. Having the dairy cow will provide us with a diverse income source. If one source fails, we will have another to fall back on. Thank you GiveDirectly for enabling me to fulfil my desire."

"I currently have six goats. I want to invest more in goats and, once they multiply, I plan to sell them and buy dairy cows. This will create an opportunity for me to sell milk and generate income, especially since I am currently unemployed due to fracturing my hand in a motorcycle accident. I am determined to save enough to improve my children's lives and secure their future."

"I currently sell charcoal at my place and want to save enough to buy more dairy cows and cows that will help me in cultivating my farm. These cows will not only help me in cultivating my land but also in renting them out to my neighbors, generating income that will improve my life and my children's lives. I am really happy that the thought of me receiving my transfer monthly gives hope for the future."

"I currently have two goats and five chickens. I began purchasing this livestock and poultry the moment I started receiving my transfer. I want to invest in them so that I can easily sell them at a profit and use the earnings to pay my children's school fees. Once the chickens hatch, I can sell them to buy more goats, and then sell the goats to acquire dairy cows. I can milk the cow and sell the milk and generate income."

"Constructing a suitable dwelling for my family had long been a cherished aspiration. Regrettably, financial limitations prevented its realization, particularly with seven children to support through their schooling. I am married and my husband works as a driver, while I sustain our livelihood through charcoal vending. When we received our second payment, I chose to spend $200 towards refurbishing our dilapidated house, which had a leaky roof and one side exposed. Additionally, I invested $250 in purchasing a cow, leaving the remainder for essential food supplies. Despite the ongoing strain of school fees and other obligations, I am immensely grateful to now possess a decent home, a dream fulfilled thanks to the generous assistance of the organization."

"The collapse of my business last year has left me in a situation where I must rely solely on these transfers to meet my needs. However, depending solely on transfers not only presents financial challenges but also fosters a sense of dependency. Therefore, my priority is to rebuild my business as soon as possible, utilizing these transfers as a stepping stone to raise the necessary capital. Additionally, I aspire to enroll my four-year-old child in school next term, which will entail additional financial commitments. Once I have addressed these immediate goals, my focus will shift towards long-term investments. One such aspiration is to save towards purchasing a cow, which I view as both a sustainable investment and a symbol of resilience beyond the duration of this project. By leveraging these transfers strategically, I aim to not only address my immediate needs but also lay the groundwork for future financial stability and prosperity. Through diligent planning and prudent allocation of resources, I am confident in my ability to overcome challenges and achieve my aspirations."

"What I appreciate most about GD is their unconditional cash transfers, allowing us to use the money based on our individual needs. Thanks to this support, I was able to fulfill my dream of purchasing a dairy cow. Soon, this cow will calve, saving me from the expense of buying milk and ensuring my young grandchildren have milk for their tea without any worries of taking black tea. This assistance from GD has made a significant difference in my life, and I am truly grateful for it."

"My primary objective throughout this program has been to have a substantial herd of cows, a goal I have pursued diligently by strategically allocating my transfers towards the acquisition of goats and chickens. These smaller livestock serve as stepping stones towards realizing my ultimate ambition of owning a sizable herd of cows. To maintain my focus on this long-term goal, I continue to prioritize the purchase of goats and chickens with my transfers, following the same approach that has guided me in recent months. However, I remain flexible to address unforeseen financial exigencies, utilizing my transfers accordingly when urgent needs arise. Moreover, I recognize the importance of expanding my business ventures opportunistically. Therefore, I occasionally allocate funds from my transfers to diversify my livestock holdings and introduce new varieties, thereby enhancing the growth and resilience of my enterprise. By adhering to this strategic approach, I remain steadfast in my pursuit of building a thriving livestock enterprise that will secure my financial stability and contribute to my long-term prosperity. Each investment in goats and chickens brings me closer to realizing my vision of a flourishing herd of cows, a testament to my unwavering commitment and determination."