"Givedirectly's cash transfer program came at the right moment. I plan to fund my farming activities with the transfer. I will set aside about $400 for farming in the next season. The proceeds will help me clear the loan I owe. I am hopeful to get more profits to save for future farming. Farming has been my main source of income and plan to expand it further by doing irrigation. Due to the bad condition of my house, I plan to build a one roomed iron sheet house. The cost of materials is high but it will cost approximately $500. It will give my family a better place to stay and call home. The mud house is hard to maintain and can be destroyed by termites easily. Cows produce milk for domestic use or sale. I don't have one now, will buy one for milk. It will cut our cost of buying milk. A cow is sold at about $250, when they breed, we can sell their milk or the cows. They fetch good prices, and can support us during hard times."

"I was on my way to the nearest Lorei center, feeling the weight of my financial struggles and the burden of providing for my expectant wife. As I walked, a sudden ping on my phone interrupted my thoughts. When I opened the message, disbelief washed over me as I stared at the receipt of $200 from GiveDirectly. My beans in the Lorei irrigation farm were suffering from a debilitating disease, and my desperate attempts to secure pesticides had been thwarted by my dire financial situation. With no steady job, I relied on irregular casual jobs to sustain my growing family. Without hesitation, I redirected my steps to the Lorei center, where I swiftly withdrew $100, purchased the much-needed pesticides rushed to the farm, and addressed the issues plaguing my crop. Returning home, I couldn't wait to surprise my wife, who had been enduring our challenges with unwavering support. The joy in her eyes mirrored my own, and together, we celebrated the unexpected turn of fortune. The generosity of GiveDirectly not only rescued our failing crops but also injected a renewed sense of hope and optimism into our lives."

"My current house is made of grass and mud. When it rains we're always worried it may fall down. Termites also eat the grass and the wooden structure. I'd like to construct a 2-roomed all round iron-sheet house. The cost of materials is high now, I expect to use about $500. When I have a better house, we'll live without worrying when it rains. It will also give us enough room to sleep. Additionally, due to lack of proper sanitation. We plan to spend some of the transfer to build a toilet. It will reduce our chances of getting diseases and also the stress of asking neighbors to allow us to use theirs. The remaining transfer will help us in farming. We have been doing maize farming each season. Since, we depend on irrigation, it's important to save some amount for labour and watering the farm. Irrigation does well here and we have already set canals."

"In the coming years, I put my focus on securing a sustainable future for my children. I am looking forward to investing my efforts in vegetable farming. I am planning to rent land in Kipterkech because of its water availability, which presents an optimal environment for cultivating high-quality vegetables through irrigation. Additionally, I hope to start buying and selling of chicken business, the scarcity of chicken trading opportunities in the area positions my venture as a unique and potentially lucrative opportunity. Collaborating with neighbors who rear chickens allows me to access resources and establish a reliable supply chain. Through a dedicated commitment to modern farming and exploring the untapped potential in chicken trading, I hope to create a legacy of sustainable prosperity and provide a comfortable life for my family."

"My goal for next year and subsequent years is to focus on modern farming! Renting a piece of land in the Perkera area is a solid start. This area has a productive potential due to the availability of the Perkera River which facilitates effective irrigation ability. My focus is to grow cereal crops such as maize and beans which after harvesting can be stored for future use. In December I hope to plant beans which have a two-month harvest period and then followed by a quick-maturing maize variety like the 0.4 or DK 77. I will later transition to Planting tomatoes for commercial purposes towards the end of next year. I am hoping that this plan will be achievable."

"Determined to improve my farming conditions, I allocated $250 of my recent unconditional cash transfer to buy barbed wire and poles for fencing my farm. Persistent invasions by goats and other wild animals had been causing significant losses to my crops each season. This initiative aimed at practicing irrigation would now become a reality without the constant threat of destruction. As a farmer, the prospect of protecting my harvests brought immense happiness and renewed hope. Having finished that, I allocated $95 for food. The challenge of a consistent drought in our region had made regular meals a luxury. Being able to eat two times a day now brings a sense of relief and improved well-being. Additionally, I invested $80 in purchasing new clothes for myself. It might seem like a small thing, but wearing decent clothes has significantly boosted my confidence. Previously, ragged attire not only affected how I felt about myself but also influenced how others perceived me. Lastly, with the remaining $25, I decided to bolster my avocado-selling business in the village. As a single individual, this venture has been my primary source of income. I'm elated to see that my profit has tripled, from $1 to $3, providing a more stable financial foundation. This not only secures my present but also instills hope for a more prosperous future, especially as I plan for a family."

"Farming has been my main source of income. Due to its profitability when the production is good. It depends on how you take care of your plants and availability of water for irrigation. I plan to enhance my farming by adding more farm under irrigation. The transfer has come at an opportune time, will invest $500 to plant maize next season. It's enough to fully fund 2 acres of land. This will support my family's income going forward. My children have started going to school at primary level. They need education support in terms of books, fees, uniforms and other school items. Will spend about $400 on them. It will ensure they get good education for a better future. Due to food insecurity sometimes, I plan to save the rest of the transfer to cushion us during difficult times."

"I began building my two-bedroom iron sheet house using the second transfer, but unfortunately, the project was left incomplete. Determined to see it through, I used $280 to complete it, which involved adding 15 iron sheets, acquiring a metallic door, windows, cement, sand, and covering labor expenses. The completed house is more spacious than my previous single-room dwelling, providing a comfortable space for my future family since I am planning to marry in two years time. The relief is immense, especially considering that the new house doesn't suffer from leaks that used to disrupt my peace whenever it rained. In a bid to eradicate the discomfort and embrassment of open defecation, I directed $18 towards the construction of a pit latrine, a project that is progressing and will soon be finalized. Additionally, I invested $60 in poultry farming, purchasing twelve chicks to supplement my income derived from the posho mill where I currently work. The prospect of generating revenue through egg sales adds a hopeful note to my financial endeavors. I have set aside the remaining funds with the intention of leasing a half-acre of land adjacent to the river for irrigation. Inspired by my neighbor's successful experience, I intend to cultivate tomatoes for commercial purposes in order to earn an extra income."

"In the coming year and beyond, my aspiration is to enhance my farming practices. Given the accessibility of water resources and the existing irrigation equipment, I aim to achieve a more bountiful harvest by the season's end. This endeavor is driven by a desire to fulfill the diverse needs of my family of eight, ensuring an ample supply of essentials, and securing the means to cover my children's school fees. The prospect of an improved yield holds significance not only for sustenance but also for the overall well-being and educational pursuits of my family."

"Irrigation is our main source of livelihood, but due to the long droughts, water shortage has been rampant over the last one year. There's a permanent river about 2 kilometers away from my home, we don't own pipes to pump water. It means we cannot irrigate our farm to plant crops. We can only wait for neighbors to share with us their water. This inhibits our ability to grow a large piece of land, hence we normally have low productivity. This has affected our family income and also food security."