"My greatest challenge is a lack of money and capital to do farming. Currently we depend on leasing land and doing irrigation which requires a lot of money which I don't have. This makes it difficult for me since I struggle so much to be able to grow and harvest food from the farm."

"I spent most of it on buying land"

"Upon receiving the second transfer, I used $300 to construct a new house. The old house had collapsed, and I was living in my son's house. It was not giving me peace. Now, I am happy that I have my own house. I remember the satisfaction I felt when I finally moved into my new home. It's not a lavish house, but it's mine, and that's what matters most. Having a safe and comfortable place to call my own has brought me a sense of security and pride that I haven't felt in a long time. I also used $130 to buy a bed and a mattress. Initially, I used to sleep on a torn mat, and it was uncomfortable. Now, I sleep well. The first night on that new bed with a proper mattress felt like a luxury. I woke up refreshed, and it was a reminder that small changes can make a big difference. I also used $40 to pay my son's school fees, ensuring that he can continue his education. Education is so important, and I'm grateful that I could support his learning. With the remaining amount, I bought food for my family. The ability to put some meals on the table is a gift that I cherish every day. Thanks to GiveDirectly, my life has taken a turn for the better, and I'm grateful."

"Bought a bull for rearing"

"Our biggest challenge currently is a lack of money. Since we depend on farming for casual labor it is difficult to get money off season such as today. After harvesting the farms stay idle which means we don't have work to do. This makes it very challenging to put food on the table and also meet other basic needs required by my family."

"My greatest and most felt challenge is the low productivity in our farms which has been caused by prolonged droughts. It has been 3 years since we managed to get a good harvest and this has put has into debt with Skyline Sacco which offers us loans. Because of this, I was forced sell my goats to meet the needs of my family. I once had 30 goats but now I only have 10. This affects me greatly since I don't have hope that life will be better in the future."

"I plan to acquire bulls and start rearing them. I'll be renting them out for income generation and also use them to plough our two-acre farm, further enhancing our food production. With this additional income, I hope to ensure that my children's school fees are consistently covered. Our current house is far too small for our family's needs. In the coming year, I intend to build a larger and more comfortable home for my family. These are my aspirations for the year ahead and beyond, with the cash support I'm receiving, our lives will be better and more secure."

"I was at home when I received the message, I was so happy because I had never received that amount of money or help."

"Upon getting the second transfer, I used $100 to do plumbing since I wanted to have a freshwater tap at home. Getting fresh water was challenging because of the distance. Now the connection is complete. This simple change has already made a huge difference in our daily lives. No more long walks to fetch water, and no more worrying about the quality of the water we were using. It's a small change, but it has made our lives so much easier and healthier. I also paid a debt of $80 to a contractor who constructed my house using the first transfer. This was a weight off my shoulders, and it's amazing to finally have that burden lifted. My house is not just a structure; it's my family's home, and knowing that it's paid for brings a sense of security and peace of mind. After that, I bought a bed and a mattress for $131. Now, I sleep well and comfortably, unlike before when I was on old, worn-out mattresses. The quality of sleep has improved, and it is reflected in my daily life. Plus, I've saved the rest of the money aiming to do a cement floor for the house and fix some windows. With these improvements, our home will not only be more comfortable but also safer and more resilient to the weather."

"In the coming year, I aim to increase my herd of goats and eventually exchange them for bulls. This will create a more stable and sustainable source of income for our family as I will be renting them out for ploughing. My desire is to see my children attending school without hindrances. After all this , We'll have secured our family's future."