"I do not engage in any work to support my family, and my son provides for us by raising livestock. I believe that raising goats is something I can do, and I'm happy that the funds I get help me do that. I mostly use the transfers to buy goats, which cost $30 each. Right now, I have three goats. I plan to raise them and let them reproduce. In the future, when they grow up, I can sell them to get more goats and help my family. Also, sometimes when I receive the funds, I decide what to do with the money based on what I need urgently. Recently, I spent $14 on clothes for myself because I didn't have enough. The rest of the money went to buy utensils for the house, like water storage jerrycans, plates, and cups. This was to upgrade and replace the old ones, most of which had broken from repetitive use."

"Upon receiving $200 from GiveDirectly, we made several crucial purchases to improve our home. Initially, we only had one plastic chair, making it challenging for visitors and even our family to find seating. As the husband, I sat on the lone chair, while my wife perched on a broken container, and our two children sat on the floor. With the funds, we bought three additional plastic chairs at $18. We invested $23 in new utensils since the ones we owned were either broken or had lost their original colors due to age. we also purchased three water containers at $4.5. Fetching water from the river had been a daily chore, often relying on borrowed containers from our neighbors. We also spent $45 on clothes. Our worn-out clothes and shoes were long overdue for replacement. Additionally, we invested $5 in a curtain since our old one was torn, allowing unwanted eyes to peep into our home. We bought a phone for $43.25 to provide my wife with a means to stay connected while I was away. This saved us from sharing a single phone. We allocated $10 to assist my brother who was in need. With our income relying on sporadic jobs earning us $4 per day and charcoal burning, putting food on the table was a problem and from the support, we dedicated $25.25 to ensure our family had food. To address any unforeseen needs we set aside $20 as savings. The support made a profound difference in our lives."

"Despite having numerous tasks related to construction and other household matters, my determination is to focus on farming, especially with the acquisition of a new piece of land. I am optimistic about the potential for a better harvest, particularly if the rains are favorable. The challenge of insufficient rain has impacted past farming efforts, leading to less successful outcomes. To address this, I am strategically farming closer to streams, ensuring a more reliable water source during short rains. Additionally, I plan to implement inter-cropping practices, combining long-season crops with short-season crops. This approach not only optimizes land utilization but also enhances the chances of a successful harvest. Despite the many responsibilities, my commitment to effective farming practices remains a priority for sustainable household well-being."

"Looking ahead, my primary goal is to address the inadequate and poorly conditioned kitchen structure. With its state, it allows water seepage during rain, creating a damp and inconvenient cooking environment. From our casual labors, my husband and I have not been able to obtain funds to construct a new structure, since what we get barely puts daily food on the table. Despite ongoing financial challenges, including school fees for my son, my plan involves initiating savings from the transfers to acquire building materials such as iron sheets and building poles for the construction of a more stable kitchen structure."

"As a motorbike rider, the cash transfers have significantly contributed to providing for my seven children and supporting their education during school days. In the recent months, the majority of my cash transfers were allocated to the preparations for Christmas celebrations, focusing on food and clothing for my children. Therefore, I spent $34 to purchase a goat. We will prepare this for the festive meal on Christmas day. I also used another $34 to buy new dresses for my four girls. Every festive season, we have a tradition of buying new clothes for the children so that they can enjoy their day, and am happy the transfers are supporting us in this. Additionally, as the region experienced consistent rainfall over the past three months, I allocated $30 towards plowing an acre and a half of my farm to produce food. Unfortunately, the heavy rains adversely affected the maize crops, as the soils became waterlogged, which led to stunted growth of the crops. I fear that this season a bountiful harvest is uncertain."

"My primary focus remains on buying and installing a water storage tank at home. This goal has been consistent since I began receiving cash transfers, and I've been diligently saving toward its realization whenever possible. Water scarcity has been a persistent issue in my household, especially during droughts, necessitating long walks to obtain water. Acquiring a water tank would be a sustainable solution to this problem. While my income from traditional medicine primarily covers basic needs, I am grateful that the cash transfers are bringing me closer to achieving this goal. Depending on the funds accumulated by mid-next year, I plan to purchase a water tank based on that amount."

"I was on my way from Mombasa, heading home. I had gone to the Hospital in Mombasa because I am suffering from hypertension and diabetes. This condition has really taken a toll on my life, and now it requires me to visit the clinic every month. As I was in the vehicle, I received a message, and when I checked, I saw that it was a mobile money notification from GiveDirectly. I was so thrilled and thanked God for this blessing and I immediately called my daughter and informed her about the good news. At that moment, the thoughts of my health condition were replaced with joy and happiness. I do not have a job and depend on my children who are working to help me with my medical expenses and upkeep. Connecting water to my compound was my first thought because for more than half a year we have not had water flowing from our taps. We had to trek a considerable distance to get water which made our life difficult. Walking long distances at my age was really wearing my body out, especially considering my condition, so the idea of having water pouring through our taps was such a great comfort."

"Despite the challenges of aging and the difficulty in maintaining our previous level of provision for our families, we persistently strive in various sectors like livestock and subsistence farming to improve our livelihood. Utilizing part of the second transfer, I invested in a heifer, foreseeing it as a future asset for both milk production and the potential sale of offspring when the need arises. Looking ahead to the coming year and beyond, my primary focus is on sustainability through small-scale farming and livestock production. I aim to ensure that the modest harvest from these endeavors is sufficient for my family of four and can also contribute to covering school fees for the two grandchildren under our care. I appreciate the significant impact of the support I have received, evident in the addition of a cow and the installation of a water point, streamlining water access for us at a reduced cost."

"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."

"Upon receiving $200 from GiveDirectly, I strategically allocated the funds to address pressing needs within my household. Acutely aware of the time-sensitive condition of our maize crop, I promptly invested $32.5 in a sack of fertilizer for top dressing, an essential step given the late stage of growth, and allocated $5 to address the pest infestation it had occurred. Recognizing the scarcity of seats in our home – with only one solitary seat – I dedicated $26.3 to the purchase of 4 plastic seats, ensuring a more comfortable environment for both family and visitors. Furthermore, I addressed our lack of furniture by acquiring a table at $7.5.Understanding the importance of sustenance, I allocated $27 towards the purchase of utensils and $3 for essential water containers. The remaining $42 purchase of food, is a crucial step in mitigating the challenges of food scarcity. In an effort to improve our living conditions, I allocated $27 for iron sheets, initiating the expansion of our small house. Living in a single room had proven challenging, and the additional space was a necessary improvement. As my primary income stems from casual jobs, often supplemented by my wife and occasional charcoal sales, this financial assistance has not only addressed immediate needs but has also laid the foundation for enhanced sustainability and resilience within our household."