"I a motorcycle mechanic working outside someone's spares shop. Receiving this money means that I will be able to open up my own spares shop as I continue with my mechanic work. By doing this, I will be able to get proceeds from my work as a mechanic and also from the sales of the spare parts."

"My house as of now is leaking when it rains because the iron sheets are old and I am always worried about my belongings being rained on. I have wished to replace them with new iron sheets but due to lack of money, this has never come to reality. When I heard about the arrival of GiveDirectly to our village, my dream of having a repaired house get awakened and the plan is to spend utmost 30000 shillings to do this. I also plan to start livestock keeping in order to have a long-term investment project and I intend to start with 10 goats which will cost me $35 per goat. This will guarantee me a better livelihood since I will have a nice house and a project to depend on hence, this is basically what receiving this money means to me."

"The hardship have gone through in my life leaving here,is loosing my loved one.At the day I lost him I was worried on how to take care of my children especially to feed them for the last two years."

"We have been experiencing prolonged drought and poor climate in our region making it the biggest hardship we have faced in life. Owing to that, we have been unable to harvest sufficient food (maize) in our 1 acre piece of land. The more we can harvest is only 3 bags of maize which is hardly enough to cater a family of 7. Our future plan therefore, is to venture into dairy farming and help supplement from what my husband earn."

"Receiving this money means that my dream project of rearing a flock of black-headed sheep will materialize. Caring, feeding and educating my five children as a single parent has a been a challenge. My first wife passed away in 2004 leaving me with every responsibility. Hence, I have never managed to start the project because the little profit I attain from my business is hardly enough to sustain us."

"When my daughter was in form two she was diagnosed with a heart problem. Accordingly, she was advised not to give birth or even get married because pregnancy may cost her life or that of her newborn. This has been heartbreaking for virtually everyone in our family, especially us as her parents who could wish to see her start her new family and bear children. Besides, she sticks to a specific diet and undergoes regular checks and continued care; a practice that requires significant resources, including money and time. These serve as the biggest hardship I have faced in life."

"My family going to bed hungry is one hardship I will live to remember for rest of my life. This is something nobody would want to witness. We live in an area that is doing poorly as far as matters of agriculture is concerned. This is due to low rainfall that is witnessed yearly. We are forced to plant drought resistant crops such as sweet potatoes but it is not assisting us much in curbing this monster called Hunger. Last year I farmed a portion 0.9 acres and believe it or not, I came out empty handed."

"My ambition is to educate my children and I have been working extra hard to achieve this. This has pushed me to take loans from a sacco. My plan therefore is to set up a poultry project alongside planting vegetables. This will help me to generate more income to raise their school fees. I will also use part of this transfer to clear part of this semester's fees."

"Lack of financial stability has been the biggest hardship we have faced in life. My husband used to work in a certain School in a different town on contract basis lasting for only 3 months. His work was to look after the livestock of the School earning a meagre salary of Kenya Shillings 12,000 which is hardly enough to cater for the entire family. Owing to that, we have been unable to meet other household essential commodities such as clothing, among others. In case we are lucky to get this transfer, it will bring a sigh of financial relief in our family."

"I have always wished to start a small business but lack of capital has been letting me down. With this money I can now start a small retail shop beside the road. I live near a busy road and I see this as a good opportunity. I estimate my starting capital to be 100 USD. I will then use 200 USD to build another house with two rooms. My current one is too small and my children need another house."