"Life is unbearable in our area, the weather is extremely hot and dry. We cannot farm our land and produce food for our families. I depend on food from the market to feed my family of nine. This makes our cost of living high, my struggle does not end there. I do not have a stable source of income, I rely on charcoal burning and honey harvesting to put food on the table for my loved ones. My daughter Phyllis is a first year student in Chuka University pursuing an undergraduate degree in Education. I am happy that my daughter will have a colorful life after her studies, my happiness is short-lived. I'm struggling to enjoy my sleep at night, I am worried about how to pay off my school fee arrears for my daughter and two children in Patkawanin and Kipcherere secondary school."

"In March 2024, my family and I fled our homeland Kosile due to insecurity. We settled here at Chebarisiat village courtesy of a well wisher who gave us a house to live in . It has been difficult to provide food for my family of six as we often depend on my husband Samwel , who is a goats trader to earn a living. At Chebarisiat, we pay KES500 monthly to the well wisher as a token of appreciation. Even though Kosile is productive, I am afraid I cannot go back there because of constant insecurities."

"About one year ago my wife and I were separated by displacement from banditry attacks. My wife stayed back with 2 younger children while I fled with 3 grown boys. The biggest challenge is having to separate with my family which has robbed me of peace of mind. I am worried that they may still encounter attacks without me, with no one to protect them from vulnerability."

"As of now, I have one major goal, which is to renovate my grass-thatched house which is currently leaking terribly. My family hasn’t had any comfort, especially during the winter season, and I am tired of occasionally seeking support from relatives. Therefore, in the coming months, I will use my little savings from the charcoal business and part of the monthly transfers to buy papyrus reeds for weaving and to renovate the roofing. Once this is achieved, I will ensure a comfortable sleeping environment for us, especially for my children, who have been most affected as it has severely impacted their health. I will be a proud father to see my family sheltered in a pleasant environment."

"In my village, it's hard surviving due to the harsh climatic conditions. It's only good for keeping goats. I have none. Farming is an uphill task due to the elongated drought seasons. This means putting food on the table needs a lot of effort. I can hardly get casual jobs, hence depending on charcoal burning. The cost of food is also high, meaning it's a luxury getting all three meals a day."

"In the upcoming year, my main goal is to enroll in a driving course at college. The course lasts for three months and costs $170. I plan to use the monthly transfers to cover the cost of the course. Completing this course will enable me to pursue employment opportunities in the transportation industry. By the end of the course, I will have the necessary skills and certification to work as a professional driver, providing me with a stable source of income. This step is essential as it will help me achieve financial independence and support my family in the long term."

"Financial constraints are the biggest challenge for us.I depend on livestock keeping and charcoal burning to make ends meet. Lately, there has been prolonged drought and after being displaced by insecurity from my place, I have never settled well. I borrowed a house temporarily and getting money to purchase a piece of land has been challenging."

"I currently have five goats that I purchased with the transfers I received over the past few months. My goal is to become a livestock farmer and to achieve this, I plan to strategically use my GiveDirectly cash transfers to buy more goats. Once I've built up a substantial herd, I plan to exchange them for cows. These cows will multiply, providing me with a reliable source of milk, offspring, and income when sold. The cattle will be a valuable asset that can be leveraged when needed, offering a safety net for my family."

"For now, the only goal on my mind is to focus on expanding the vegetable and shop business I am currently operating. I have been at a standstill for some time due to a lack of funds, but I plan to use my upcoming transfers to increase my stock. Expanding my business means I can ensure my family's needs are comfortably met, including paying my children's fees. This will bring me joy and peace of mind since I have been the breadwinner. As this is my only source of income, I need to put more energy into it. Therefore, I believe that by the end of this year, I will have achieved this goal as I will start saving from the transfers for this purpose."

"I currently have five goats and two chickens, which bring me a lot of joy. My plan is to focus on buying more animals before my transfers come to an end. Once the goats multiply to a good number, I will sell them to purchase cows, which is my main goal. Cows are expensive, and I know I need to invest in goats first to afford them. I want to buy dairy cows because they will provide milk for both domestic and commercial use, generating income for my family. Additionally, I aim to expand our house by adding three rooms to create a better living space for my three childrens, as we currently live in just one room. Once I achieve my initial goal, I will use my transfers to buy building materials and any extra income I earn from my side hustles. I am very grateful to Give Directly for their financial support"