"Prolonged period of drought has been the biggest hardship we have faced in life. We experience low amount of rainfall in our region hence low crop production and shortage of water. The land under cultivation is only 0.5 acres in which we have grown maize for domestic use. Owing to that, we harvest only 4 bags of maize which is hardly enough to sustain my family for a whole year. I am planning to venture into livestock rearing in the near future in order to supplement the little we get from our piece of land."

"Before the coming of GiveDirectly, I had begun a project of building a permanent house. Due to lack of funds, I could not continue with its construction. Through the transfer, I purchased the remaining materials which includes coral blocks at KES 40000. I am happy that my dream of upgrading to a permanent house will soon be fulfilled, which makes it to be the biggest difference in my daily life."

"Food insecurity is my biggest hardship. This is attributed to inconsistent rainfall patterns yet we depend on subsistence farming for food. In a good season I get around 3 bags of maize, food that lasts us for only 4 months. This means we have to buy for the rest of the year but we do not earn enough to sustain us. It is therefore very common for my children to stay hungry for almost 3 days, something which hurts me a lot."

"The biggest hardship that I faced in my life is failing to continue my education. I drop out of school at primary level in 2003 due to lack of school fees to join Secondary level. I decided to start buying and selling poultry so that I save little income for my future plans."

"It was exactly seven in the morning when I was heading to the dam to fetch water, then I heard my mobile phone vibrating. This was an indication to me that there was a new incoming message. Without wasting time, I decided to check its content, I was overwhelmed with joy after realizing it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly."

"It was around six in the morning when I was preparing myself for my daily hustle. Then I heard my phone ringing continuously, upon checking, I realized it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. I was overexcited because I definitely knew that I would accomplish most of my long time dreams."

"Owning a piece of land for my family has always been my biggest desire in my life. This is because the place we are currently living does not belong to us. Receive this money means I will final of landowner. I plan to purchase 2 acres at $ 200 each. I will also use $150 to clear school fees for my firstborn child who is pursuing a carpenter course."

"The biggest hardship I have faced in my life is the lack of a better and spacious house for my family."

"My biggest hardship is the vicious cycle of poverty that we have experienced for the better part of our lives. Ever since I was born I have been through ups and downs. Sometimes I had to sleep for 3 days without food and this is the main reason why I drop out of primary school, class 6 in order to seek employment in Nakuru County where I was looking after cattle."

"Receiving this money means a decent and a spacious house for my big family of twelve. I'll use 400 dollars to construct a three-room house for my family. I'll further use 300 dollars to cater for my children's school fees."