"In March 2024, I sowed maize on my 0.5-acre piece of land with the hope of providing food for my family of six. Unfortunately, due to the lack of rains that month, nothing germinated until the rains finally came in April. By then, my crops had started to sprout, but the rains stopped again, and my maize wilted just as it was about to produce cobs. It pains me to see them dry now, knowing that my source of food is gone and I have to fully rely on purchasing from the shops just to get by each day"

"The greatest challenge I'm facing currently is the lack of water since we don't have piped water in our village. This has made my life difficult because I'm forced to purchase water from our local center which costs KES 200 for five 20 litres of water. This has affected us financially since we depend on casual work and we sometimes lack money to purchase food and water."

"My only arable land is currently submerged by the rising waters of Lake Baringo. This affected my family's income significantly, as I depended on crop farming to provide for our needs. I never imagined I would end up doing casual jobs to make a living, but that's now my daily routine. It is unfortunate that we are underpaid, $3 a day is insufficient to meet my family needs. Sometimes I go to bed hungry or skip lunch altogether. It is embarrassing and I wish I had a stable source of family income."

"My goal in the coming year and beyond is to purchase a dairy cow. I currently have three goats, all bought with the help of the financial transfers. My main objective is to save money from future transfers and use it to buy more goats. As the goats multiply, I plan to sell some and use the proceeds to purchase the dairy cow I desire. Having a dairy cow will be highly beneficial, as I can earn income by selling milk. This investment will not only provide a steady income but also contribute to my family's financial stability. I am very happy and grateful for the financial assistance, which is helping me invest wisely and secure a better future."

"I am a mother of three children who currently does hairdressing at my doorstep, as I don’t have a physical salon. My goal is to open my own salon, as many customers are hesitant to come to my door for services. Acquiring a physical space for my salon is expensive, but thanks to GiveDirectly's support, I was able to join a merry-go-round and save enough money to rent a place. I am hopeful and believe that by November, I will be able to start my salon. Having a dedicated space will allow me to attract more customers and increase my income. I plan to offer various services, such as braiding and blow-drying, to draw in more clients and enhance my business. I am confident that this new venture will bring positive changes to my life and greatly benefit my family."

"My goal this year is to expand my herd of goats from three to ten. I believe investing in goats is a smart strategy because they breed easily, which will help me eventually acquire a cow. The cow will be instrumental in preparing my land before the heavy rains begin. With its help, I can cultivate a larger portion of land, leading to a bigger harvest. This increased produce will boost my business and provide additional income. Additionally, I can rent out the cow to my neighbors, creating another revenue stream that will further improve our living standards."

"With the support from GiveDirectly's transfers, I joined a merry-go-round and used the funds to purchase three goats. These goats have renewed my hope, as they can breed and potentially be traded for cows. My ultimate goal is to acquire a dairy cow, which will enable me to sell milk and increase my income. Currently, we rely entirely on my husband, a subsistence farmer, as I have no personal income or business. By December, I expect to receive additional funds from the merry-go-round, which will allow me to buy a dairy cow. This investment will not only improve our living standards but also provide a reliable source of income from selling milk. This will help ensure my children’s school fees are paid on time and support our family's financial stability."

"I am currently employed at someone else’s hotel, but it's becoming increasingly difficult as I barely have time for my family, and the business is often inconsistent. I have a strong desire to start my own business selling fried potatoes and vegetables near my home. To achieve this goal, I am saving through a merry-go-round and planning to purchase essential items such as cooking pans, knives, and buckets for washing vegetables and potatoes. This new venture will not only help improve our living standards but also allow me to create more time for my family, as I will be running the business from outside our home."

"I currently live in my family compound, and my ultimate dream is to purchase a piece of land and build a home that my children can inherit. I envision a place that will be truly my own, providing a lasting legacy and a stable foundation for my family’s future. While I am still determining the details, such as the number of rooms, I am committed to saving all my income towards this goal once my child is enrolled in college. Before receiving these transfers, life was quite difficult, but thanks to GiveDirectly, I now have the opportunity to pursue my dreams. With my current savings and determination, I am confident that I will achieve this goal and create a meaningful home for my family."

"My main goal is to start my own hardware business. I believe that with disciplined saving, I will be able to gather enough funds to make this dream a reality. Currently, I work as a conductor, but the job is challenging and unreliable—if the vehicle breaks down, my work stops, leaving me without income. In my hardware store, I plan to sell items such as metal sheets, metal nails, paints, and other essentials. I have had this idea since I was young, and I want my business to be located in town rather than in a village. Being in town will provide a ready market and make it easier for people to access and recognize my business. I am confident that starting this hardware store will improve my living standards and those of my family, paving the way for a better future."