"As you can see we are an old couple and we are both weak and tired. We have number of challenges but currently we are mostly concerned about the condition of our house. As you can see it collapsed on one side behind there so we are still trying to find funds and rebuild that part. This is weighing heavily on us. The other hurdle for us is scarcity of safe water. Like I mentioned, with old age I am unable to travel and fetch water which is about a kilometre down this valley. We fetch water from the stream down there, she said pointing to the east side of her house. This water is untreated and contains germs and even though we drink it we are always worried it would bring us diseases like cholera which can even be fatal in the end."

"I used KES 32000 to buy a water tank and used the remaining amount to buy food and clothes for my other family members. For a long time, we had to travel for long distances in search of water from rivers and streams. This was time consuming and very exhaustive as well. I am glad that we now have a water tank that will help us collect rain waters and safe ourselves from the hustle of travelling for long distances in search of water."

"I am a single mother currently taking care of seven children - all in various schools. Raising them and ensuring that I provide all they need was not easy. I am grateful that the receipt of the transfers from GiveDirectly was a great boost and an ultimate solution to most of the challenges I had. The second transfer was instrumental in putting up a second house following the construction of a kitchen completed with the first transfer. Buying all the required construction materials and paying the labor charges cost KES 30000. I am happy that my family of eight has a spacious room at the moment. I also spent KES 10000 on school fees for my child in secondary school, and the remaining amount on buying a water tank, utensils, and foodstuff for my household."

"At approximately ten in the morning, I had just returned from a far-off water pan where I had gone to get water for my house usage. I got a text message on my phone when I was taking a break outside my home. As soon as I realized I had gotten my first transfer, I promptly checked the phone and was completely startled. Tears streamed down my cheeks and my heart was flooded with delight. The news that I had received the money was wonderful since it ensured that I wouldn't go to bed hungry."

"I had previously saved the first transfer,so I topped it up with the second transfer to start my chicken rearing business. I'm glad to report that it is doing very well despite the various challenges. I was also able to install tap water into my compound allowing easy access to clean water for me and my neighbours."

"I spent part of my second transfer on buying one dairy cow at KES 18000. I trust that this will uplift my living standards by selling the milk and generate an income which will enable me to cater for my family's needs without having to struggle like before. I also bought seeds, and fertiliser, and cleared the water bill for the kitchen garden project that I had launched initially. I am glad that, in a few days to come, I will start selling vegetables from my farm and earn a living. Additionally, I bought uniforms and cleared fees of KES 5000 for my three children who are in primary schools. I am now at peace knowing that they are studying comfortably without straining. With the remaining amount of money, I had to buy foodstuffs for my five family members."

"As time passed, my spouse dropped her phone in a pour of water which got damaged. From that day, communication between her and her family seized. On August 11, 2022, my mother donated a phone to my spouse which automatically open the barrel of communication with family members in Monrovia. This brought us so much joy and happiness"

"Due to my advanced age, I cannot take on strenuous activities to provide for the family. Therefore, I rely on my son, who works as a water hawker in Mombasa, to fund my basic needs, particularly food. I have always wished to relieve the responsibility burden he bares by occasionally supporting the family as well. The best way through which this seems possible to me is through livestock rearing. By the time I received the cash transfer, I owned a goat that I previously bought using money given by Give Directly. I decided to obtain another goat worth KES 2,000 with the recent funds to increase the herd. Since hunger is terrifically prevalent in my household, given the prolonged drought and poverty, going without food is no news. My family had starved for an entire day when I received the cash transfer. That is why I used the remaining transfer on food that lasted us at least a week. ."

"I could not complete the construction. I started with the first transfer since I had other demanding goals running alongside. On receiving the second transfer, I spent KES 30000 to complete the new house that has given my family of seven ample spaces. I also spend KES 5000 on foodstuff for my family, bought new furniture worth KES 10000 for the new house since we had few seats, and in addition, obtained a 100 liters plastic container useful shoring water in the house. I later spent the remaining amount on buying new clothes for my children who were grateful to GiveDirectly for the generous support."

"After passing on of my husband a year ago, I had been raising my two children alone. Even though the challenges have been many, I am grateful that I have been able to take them through some classes in school before GiveDirectly came in to support me. Providing their daily foodstuff has been hard, but the dairy cow has made it possible since I have been selling the surplus milk and buying foodstuff with the proceeds. On receiving the second transfer, I spent KES 28000 on buying another heifer, hoping to provide extra liters of milk in the future. I also spend KES 22000 on buying a 3000 liters plastic water tank that has completely changed the previous pattern of frequently visiting the river. I have gotten an uncomplicated time fetching rainwater, which is clean compared to the muddy ones from the public streams around. In addition, I spent the remaining amount on improving my farming practices after tilling and planting certified seeds on my pieces of land."