"As I mentioned earlier, I am deeply involved in agribusiness, and I am currently focused on digging a small water pan on my farm which will enable me to collect rainwater during the rainy season that will be of great use for agriculture during the dry season. I am still in the process of completing this project, but I remain optimistic about its success as I know it will be very important for my farming activities. Looking ahead to this year and beyond, I plan to continue to invest a portion of my transfers into my farm. I intend to purchase quality inputs such as seeds, pesticides, and manure, which will help me maximize my harvests. With these resources, I aim to grow watermelons, pumpkins, and maize crops that thrive in our region where I will sell the surplus and earn some income. The proceeds from selling these crops will allow me to support my family's needs while also setting aside some produce for family our consumption. I am genuinely excited about this project and hopeful that the rains will come, enabling my plans to come to fruition."

"I have six children in school, and their education is my top priority. Recently, I used $59 from my transfers from GiveDirectly to pay their school fees, which was crucial in ensuring they would not be sent home due to unpaid fees. Also, our region is currently faced with severe drought and hunger, which has made it difficult for us to access basic necessities such as water and food from our farms. To ensure my family did not go hungry, I spent another $33 of my transfers on food, as we had none left. In addition to these immediate needs, I am also focused on building a sustainable future. I saved the remaining $10 in our local savings group, where members pool their resources to support one another. Once I receive my pooled funds, I plan to use the funds to buy chickens and goats. I envision them multiplying over time, providing us with a reliable source of income. My goal is to sell some of the animals and invest the profits back into buying more chicken and goats with the aim of selling them in the future."

"Our region has been facing a prolonged dry season, leading to drought and hunger. Because of this, we have been forced to buy food from stores, so I used $72 of my recent transfers to purchase food and water for my family to ensure we do not go hungry. Additionally, my house is in a very poor state and is on the verge of collapsing, as it is leaning to one side. My goal is to build a new house for my family so that we can have a safe and comfortable place to live. I spent $20 on building materials, and I am hopeful that soon I will have enough to start constructing a new two-roomed house. Lastly, I used the remaining $10 to pay school fees for my grandson, whom I live with, to make sure he stays in school and isn’t sent home due to unpaid fees. I am incredibly grateful for this support, as it gives me hope that I can achieve my dream of building a new home."

"We are currently facing a prolonged period of drought in our region. This has affected our lives negatively owing to the fact that we are unable to plant any crop in our farms. Our main source of water is the lake which is also far and we cannot do any meaningful agricultural activity through irrigation."

"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."

"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."