"This year and beyond, my goal is to acquire some land in the Parkera irrigation scheme. Previously, I used to lease land, but now I want to buy my own. Owning this land will change my farming for the better because there is a reliable water supply, ensuring a good harvest. With this improvement, I will be able to sell the produce to meet my immediate household needs and pay for my children’s education. This way, I can ensure they have a brighter future."

"When I received $200 from GiveDirectly, I was overjoyed because this money would help protect my family from the devastating effects of floods. I used the entire amount to pay a deposit for a piece of land on higher ground, away from the flood-prone areas. During the floods, my family of four was severely impacted, with the cold affecting us and our farm being destroyed. I believe that buying this new land will permanently shield my family from future floods. I plan to continue using my current land for farming during the dry season, utilizing water from the nearby river for irrigation. This way, I can still benefit from the land while ensuring my family’s safety by living in a more secure area."

"This year and beyond, I plan to continue farming in partnership with Kenya Seed Company. This will be crucial as it will allow me to comfortably support my children's education and meet other household needs. Thanks to the support from GiveDirectly, I am determined to approach farming differently this time. I plan to buy water pumps, something I didn’t have before. With these, I will be able to irrigate my farm, reducing the risk of a poor harvest. This will make my farming venture sustainable, as I will no longer rely solely on the rains to grow crops."

"Water is the biggest challenge that we continually face as a family over the years. We fetch water from Lake Baringo which is about 7 km. Water usage per day is about 100 liters. One can only carry 20 liters of water per trip, it is approximately 40 minutes to and fro. This has made our lives difficult, we ration the water a lot so that it's enough. It also means we cannot plant vegetables due to lack of water."

"When I received my most recent transfer, it was during a time when my grandmother was seriously ill. I donated $34 to cover her medication, and she was rushed to Mariakani Hospital. Thankfully, she has since recovered and is now doing well. I also spent $38 on food for my family, as we are currently facing a drought, which often forces us to purchase both water and food, making things difficult. Additionally, I decided to invest $20 from the transfer to buy a goat. Since we were informed that these transfers will soon come to an end, I’ve started thinking about investments that could provide income in case of future emergencies. Goat rearing appealed to me because goats multiply quickly, adding financial value over time."

"When I received my most recent transfer, I spent $68 to buy food for my family. We are currently facing a drought, and access to both food and water has become very difficult. Most of the little income we earn is spent on these essentials. Our livelihood depends largely on farming, but due to the prolonged dry weather, it has become almost impossible. Casual jobs are also scarce. That's why I am deeply grateful to GiveDirectly for their financial support. Without it, we would have continued going to bed hungry, as we did before. With the remaining $34, I paid my child's outstanding school fees, as she had been sent home for the balance. I wanted to ensure she didn't miss any more lessons, so I immediately sent her back to school."

"The struggles of farming can be overwhelming, especially when faced with the challenge of getting water to the crops. Our farm at home was suffering because we had no effective way to pump water from the Perkerra River. Therefore, I decided to invest $320 in a generator, allowing me to channel water directly to my farm. This purchase was crucial for my ability to continue farming without the stress of drought seasons impacting our harvest. Furthermore, I used $70 to open a salon business for my partner, so she could have her own source of income while we support each other at home. With only one child to care for, it's important for us to find ways to help each other thrive. I also work as a farmer and casual laborer to make ends meet, balancing multiple responsibilities to provide for my family. Finally, I spent the remaining $60 on food since we had no capital for farming at the moment. Before this support, we relied heavily on casual jobs like burning charcoal to cover our basic needs. Unfortunately, floods hit and destroyed all my vegetables and green grams at the farm, leaving us feeling hopeless and depressed. Despite these challenges, I remain determined to make the most of the opportunities I've been given and build a better future for my family."

"Receiving the cash transfer was a turning point for me, as it allowed me to focus on my education and provide for my family. I have been studying for a diploma in literature, and with the money, I was able to pay my school fees, which cost $250. Farming has been my source of income, primarily through growing vegetables, which has helped me sustain my studies and support my two boys after my wife and I separated four years ago. Furthermore, with the remaining $200, I prepared land, bought seeds, and paid for labor to plant watermelons. Watermelon is a good choice because it’s marketable and doesn't require much management. Plus, it has a short growing period, allowing me to harvest within two months. Currently, I have vegetables growing alongside my watermelon farm, and the income from these vegetables helps me purchase fuel for the generators I use to pump water for irrigation. I feel grateful for this opportunity, as it has enabled me to balance my education and provide for my family. With hard work and careful planning, I am optimistic about the future. I hope to continue growing my farming business while completing my studies, ensuring a better life for my boys and myself."

"When I got the money, I immediately knew what my priorities were. My children had been struggling to sleep comfortably because their bed and mattress were infested with bedbugs, making their nights unbearable. So, I used $90 to buy a new bed and mattress. It brought me great joy knowing they would finally sleep in peace. Furthermore, I spent $60 on food because, at home, we had nothing to eat, and buying food and milk from the shops was becoming too expensive. My family depends on me to provide, but my salary is too small to meet all our needs. In addition to the bed and food, I used the remaining amount to buy utensils. We had been displaced by floods, and the water destroyed everything we had in the house, leaving us with very little. It was a big relief to finally have basic things like plates and cooking items again. My wife stays at home to take care of our two children, so providing for the family rests entirely on my shoulders. The money helped me cover the essential needs we had been struggling with for a long time. Life had been very difficult for us, especially after the floods took everything. Being able to buy what we desperately needed felt like a huge burden had been lifted. My children are now sleeping soundly, and we have food in the house again. It may not seem like much, but for us, it has made all the difference."

"Upon receiving $450 from GiveDirectly, I was incredibly excited because I knew this opportunity could change my life for the better. I used $120 to lease one acre of land in the Parkera irrigation scheme, something I couldn’t afford before due to a lack of capital. I plan to plant maize there, which is a strategic investment since water for irrigation will be available. My goal is to use the money from selling the harvest to fulfill my dream of getting married and having a wedding. I also used $200 to buy a cow, which will be very important as it will provide milk for my family. This will save me the daily expense of buying milk. Additionally, I spent $80 to buy two sheep, which will be useful in times of emergency and will help ensure a sustainable income for my family. At the time, my family was also facing a serious food crisis, so I used $50 to buy food. This has allowed me to focus on other things without worrying about our immediate needs."