"I have a strong desire to pivot towards farming, particularly focusing on cultivating perishable vegetables such as tomatoes. I plan to rent land near the river, recognizing its fertile soil and proximity to a water source—crucial for successful farming. To ensure consistent irrigation, I intend to hire a generator, a vital resource for this endeavor. The appeal of cultivating tomatoes lies in their high demand and ready market availability. I believe that by strategically positioning myself to produce these perishable vegetables, I can generate a sustainable income to support my family. This shift towards farming offers an exciting opportunity. My vision is not just about farming tomatoes; it's about fostering a sustainable livelihood for my family."

"In the years ahead, my focus is on investing in farming—specifically cultivating maize and beans using irrigation techniques on my one-acre plot near the river. To facilitate this endeavor, I plan to purchase my generator. This investment will eliminate the need to hire one, ensuring a more cost-effective and sustainable approach to farming. I aim to firstly, sell the produce generated from these crops. Doing so will provide the means to pay for my grand children's school fees and support our daily needs. Second, it's an initiative to reduce my reliance on my small herd of goats for sustenance. By diversifying my income through farming, I hope to create a more stable and reliable source of livelihood. This strategic shift will not only alleviate the pressure on my existing resources but also pave the way for a more secure future for myself and my three grandchildren."

"At 3 pm, sunlight filtering through the windows, I found myself at home with my wife and two kids. A burst of joy enveloped me as the notification from GiveDirectly announced a welcomed gift of $200. In that moment, a cascade of possibilities unfolded in my mind. The immediate plan? Tending to my one acre of maize, weaving through the rows to tackle the overgrown weeds. With the rains gone, my thoughts turned practical that is irrigation to nurture the golden promise of the crop. Yet, beyond the fields, the warmth of the windfall stirred a familial desire. Christmas, with its joyous spirit, beckoned. The immediate future held visions of laughter and celebration as I resolved to organize a heartfelt party for my family, a testament to the transformative power of unexpected blessings."

"GiveDirectly's most impactful contribution has been the provision of unconditional cash transfers. This support enabled us to address pressing needs crucial to our family's well-being. From securing farming capital to ensuring food, sanitation, and our children's education, these funds have been instrumental in diverse ways, for which we are immensely grateful. In our locality, we're fortunate to have access to a nearby irrigation scheme. My opinion, aside from the unconditional cash transfers, I firmly believe that by extending their support to farming through the distribution of diverse seeds tailored to our region, GiveDirectly could significantly elevate Agricultural productivity. This, in turn, could lead to improved livelihoods in the long run."

"Currently, our reliance has been on subsistence farming, which is not consistently productive, and livestock farming to complement our practices, especially during harsh weather conditions. Looking ahead to the coming year, I have a grandchild preparing to transition to secondary school after completing the final primary school examination. With this in mind, my plan is to allocate a portion of the next transfer to cover the initial admission costs. Additionally, I aim to enhance my farming practices, capitalizing on the sufficient rainfall and utilizing irrigation from nearby seasonal streams to facilitate a better harvest. At the moment, I am focused on cultivating half an acre where I intend to plant maize, hoping for a substantial yield. The surplus from this harvest will be sold to cover subsequent school terms, ensuring continued support for my grandchild's education. This comprehensive approach reflects my commitment to both immediate and long-term needs within my family."

"I sell charcoal to get an income, my husband farms for income. I have not had an income for two months, I cannot burn charcoal with the rains. It has been a blessing but the El-nino led to a number of losses including some seedlings we had in a bed to replant. This season will be preceded by another long drought and since we would like to farm to generate income we want to direct our funds next year to digging a well which we will use to do irrigation and ensure that our crops thrive. We will also save for a water pump to help get the water to the house."

"The support from Givedirectly has been transformative for our family. It's brought an incredible sense of peace and renewed hope for our dream of acquiring a generator and irrigation pipes. Before, the sight of our unplanted land was disheartening, but now, thanks to this support, we're on the path to making our project a reality and securing our future.The contrast is stark: from the sadness of watching our land lay barren to the growing possibility we now witness. Givedirectly has ignited this journey toward fulfilling our aspirations and ensuring sustainability. We're immensely grateful for this opportunity, and our gratitude knows no bounds. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for making this significant difference in our lives."

"When I receive the transfer, it will help us in our farming activities. I plan to spend about $200 on planting maize, beans, and green grams. They are very profitable and can support my family in the long term. The funds will help us also do irrigation with ease since it's expensive. Education plays a key role in the future of anyone. We don't want our children to be left out. Therefore, we plan to spend about $200 on their education. That's; fees, books, and uniforms among other school requirements. Cows do well here due to plenty of grass, though not enough for a large stock. I plan to spend about $300 to buy one. A cow will provide us with milk for domestic use. Hence we won't have to buy milk again, cutting our household expenses. The rest of the transfer will be used to build a toilet since we don't have one currently. It's important for proper hygiene and good sanitation. It also reduces the chances of diseases."

"I spent the entire day diligently harvesting butternut on 3/4 of my land, putting in my best effort to complete the task by nightfall. Unfortunately, the dry weather conditions took a toll on the harvest, resulting in a disappointingly lower yield than anticipated. Despite the challenges, I pressed on, sweating profusely as I worked to gather the produce. Amid the haste and physical exertion, I heard the faint peeping of my phone, but with my focus on finishing the harvest, I chose to delay checking it until the evening. Finally settled after ensuring all the butternut was safely transported to a nearby storage facility for future sale, I took a moment to check my phone. To my overwhelming joy, I discovered a message indicating the receipt of funds from GD. This filled me with a renewed sense of gratitude and hope. With the newfound financial support, I eagerly planned to invest in a generator. This purchase will enhance my irrigation activities and symbolise a significant step toward optimizing my farm production."

"Due to lack of capital to invest in agriculture, we have not utilized our land. Irrigation is labour intensive and we don't have the money for it. This had been the biggest hindrance to our development as a family. The lack of funds means we depend on loans or farm on small portions. Access to loans is a challenge due to the strict requirements. Even if one is successful the risk of losses is high and the interest rates are not fair."