"My life has been reduced from grace to grass. I am now starting a new life after losing everything I had to flash floods two weeks ago. We had to relocate to a higher ground to save our lives. We approached our family friend who agreed to give us this piece of land. We demolished our one-roomed house and relocated to this place. Everything here is new and it reminds me of those days when we were starting a new life with my husband. I am also counting losses as my four acre farm got submerged with swelling water of Lake Baringo. Crop farming is our main source of family income and it is unfortunate that my maize crops & vegetables are gone, I am left wondering where to find alternative sources of income for the family."

"The memories are still fresh, we lost everything we had invested as a family. It was in the year 2021 when we experienced flash floods in our area. This opened a chapter of struggle and suffering in our life. We fled and found refuge here, our suffering never ends here. We are living in a road reserve and therefore we expect eviction from the government anytime. I am a casual labourer earning about KES 400 a day. This goes to food and other family basic needs, at the end of the day I am left with nothing to save. Our houses are also not in a good condition, we are forced to wrap it with polythene bags to avoid being raised on."

"My biggest dream right now is to grow my workshop into a wholesale business in the coming months. I believe this expansion will bring in significant returns and pave the way for a brighter future. As my sole source of income, this venture holds immense importance to me. Not only will it provide for my young family's needs with greater ease, but it will also allow me to plan for my children's future more effectively. I envision a time when financial worries are replaced by stability and security and where my kids have the opportunities they deserve. This dream fuels my determination, and I'm ready to put in the hard work to make it a reality."

"I was on the verge of being evicted from the land that has been our home for many years due to constant conflicts and disputes with neighbors. To avoid further disputes, my husband and I decided to acquire a new piece of land to build a new home. However, we faced challenges as my husband lost his job and had to look for a new one. I also had the responsibility of providing for my four children's education, with one in college, two in high school, and one in junior high school. With all these financial commitments, we couldn't afford to build on the new piece of land. When I received my second transfer, I used a bigger part of the money to buy building materials such as iron sheets, building poles, and timber. I am currently in the process of building our new house on our own piece of land, which will bring me peace and stability. Achieving this has been my long-time dream. Upon completion of this house, I will be free from the frequent wrangles that I have been experiencing for years with my family. I also used the remaining portion of the transfer to pay for my children's school fees. Despite the financial difficulties, I am grateful that my children are able to attend school without the fear of being sent home for unpaid fees."

"In the coming year and beyond, my dream is to buy a complete pair of oxen, and I am planning to save diligently over the next few months to make this a reality. I firmly believe that this goal is attainable with careful planning and perseverance. Once I acquire the oxen, they will be of immense support for my agricultural activities, significantly easing the burden that has fallen entirely on my own hands for so long. The physical toll of manually ploughing the farms has been exhausting, and the oxen will bring much-needed relief, enabling me to work more efficiently. This shift promises not just a reduction in my daily toil but also the prospect of more plentiful harvests. In the past, my yields have been limited by the sheer effort required to tend to the land without adequate help. With the oxen, I envision a future where my hard work results in bountiful crops, providing better food security and financial stability for my family. This dream of owning oxen is not just about easing my workload; it's about transforming our agricultural practices and improving our overall quality of life."

"In the coming years, my dream is to become a successful businesswoman by starting small and gradually expanding my ventures. Initially, I plan to sell vegetables, which will allow me to understand the basics of running a business and managing finances. As I gain experience and save up, my ultimate goal is to open a big boutique shop where I will not only sell clothes but also design and make them myself. This will combine my passion for fashion with my entrepreneurial spirit. I envision a future where my business thrives, providing me with financial stability and the ability to support my family comfortably. By the time I have my own family, I aim to have made significant progress in my career, ensuring that I can offer them a better life. Every step I take now is towards building a foundation for that future, and I am determined to work hard, learn continuously, and overcome any challenges that come my way to make this dream a reality."

"As a parent with children still in primary school, I have a clear plan for the coming year and beyond that I believe will secure our future. I aim to start keeping goats in our homestead. This endeavour is not just about having animals around but a strategic move to ensure financial stability as my children transition to higher education institutions. I believe that once we have the goats, they will be a reliable source of income, particularly when it comes to meeting the needs and fees associated with their education. By carefully managing and selling some of the goats over time, their numbers will naturally increase, creating a sustainable source of income that won't stress me out as much as other temporary solutions might. This plan gives me hope and confidence that, as a family, we will be able to handle future financial challenges with greater ease."

"I was on my farm preparing the land for planting when a message popped up on my phone. Upon reading it, I realized that an amount of $550 had been sent to my phone, but at that time, I was not quite certain it was from GiveDirectly. Later that evening, when I got home, my sister-in-law and two other people confirmed that they had received a similar amount. This is when I knew that GiveDirectly had sent the first cash transfer. I was very happy because I had never owned such an amount of money before. I began thinking about how I could build a new house, something I had always wished for."

"Looking forward to the upcoming year and beyond, my main priority is to acquire land. Growing up in a polygamous family, suitable land is scarce, which has fueled my determination to secure a plot for my family's future settlement. Establishing a stable home for my loved ones is of utmost importance to me, and owning land would offer the stability and security necessary for our future endeavors. Therefore, my objective is to diligently save and invest my income towards purchasing land, ensuring a strong foundation for my family's well-being and prosperity in the years ahead."

"In the upcoming year and beyond, my primary goal is to build a house for my children. Currently, they reside at a relative's house, where they often face criticism. To realize this aspiration, I've begun setting aside a portion of my transfers towards this objective. Considering my resources, I plan to construct a single-room dwelling, as that's within my means. My target is to accumulate approximately $300 to achieve this goal. By diligently saving and focusing on this endeavor, I aim to provide my children with a secure and comfortable home of their own."