"It was around 6 a.m. I was getting ready for my 1-hour walk to go and fetch water. I had an incoming message and upon checking, I saw that I had received funds from give directly. This made me feel euphoric. For days we had been sleeping in the dark as we could not afford to pay for the installed solar energy panel. Even before I went out, I made sure I had made my payments. This was the start of a great memorable day."

"Before I started receiving funds from give directly, I used to use a bicycle to go and fetch water. It could only carry two 20-liter jerrycans plus it was tiring. Now, with the money we got, we bought a motorcycle instead. This would fetch us 6 20-liter jerrycans per trip. Saving us time and we also have more water for our consumption. In addition to this, my children were always complaining about the shoes they had which we old and torn. But thanks to the c the cash, they now have new shoes."

"I earn a living as a fisherman. When the drought struck three years ago, my business was affected because water dried in the rivers and swaps which reduced the number of fish. With the paltry amount of income, I could not buy new tools that are essential for my line of work, such as fishnets, wheelbarrows for carrying the fish, fishing rods, and others. When I received my first transfer, I spent a whopping KES 35000 on buying new tools and stop using worn-out and borrowed items. Besides buying the tools, I spent KES 15000 on paying debts I had incurred during the toughest times when I had no money to buy food for my family (wife and 7 children. Finally, I spent the remaining amount on buying stones, cement, and sand to use in building strong pillars around the house to ensure it remains strong and avoid the house from collapsing.  "

"For the past three years, I have put up with the problem of lacking water and walking long distances (45km) to fetch water. The drought that struck our village dried up all the sources of water near my home. This was challenging for me and my children because I lacked water to cook, drink and even wash clothes and utensils. When I received my transfer, I spent KES 26300 on buying a water tank that I will use to store and harvest rainwater. Besides buying the water tank, I spent KES 10000 on buying a metallic door, KES a wooden door, and KES 2500 on buying a window that I used to fix my house. My house was lacking a door and window and this jeopardized my safety and that of my children during the night and my property, too. Finally, I spent the remaining amount buying food for my family so that they would not sleep on empty stomachs."

"With my health condition worsening every day and unable to find for my family, buying the motorcycle made a big difference in my life. Currently, my son is taking care of me because he goes to work and earns an income from it. I am happy that I no longer walk long distances to fetch water because my son delivers the water using the motorcycle to my doorstep for my use.  "

"At the beginning of the year, I started rearing chicken. It is really picking up and I am glad that it has helped me especially in satisfying the daily needs like buying food and water. So far I have soled 15 chicken. Having this extra source of income has made me happy."

"It was around 9 am, and I had just returned home from getting some water. I immediately heard a message, which turned out to be a Mpesa message. I was overjoyed to learn that I had received my transfer. I had never imagined receiving such a large sum of money thus I could not stop myself from telling my family about my good fortune. They were equally pleased and relieved because none of them had anticipated that we would receive such a large sum of money. We were all aware that, eventually, we would be able to construct a new house to replace the old one."

"The drought situation in this area is very challenging. This brings about scarcity of food and water. Life is very expensive for me because basic commodities are very expensive because they are rare. A good example is fresh food like vegetables which one has to source from very far. It is very difficult living in a village set up and buying food because farms produce nothing."

"I was in my house relaxing after coming back from fetching water at the nearby pan. I was with my husband and co-wife relaxing while chatting with each other. I heard the news about the transfer from our neighbours who were rejoicing. My helper came to my house to confirm my account balance and if I had received the transfer like others. I was overwhelmed with joy when it landed to my ears that I had received the transfer. We jointly celebrated with my family members for receiving our transfer."

"I will be really happy if I receive the transfer from GiveDirectly. I have a difficulty in seeing and walking. The difficulty in walking renders me helpless in terms of water fetching from the nearest river. I could wish I had a 10000 litres water tank to ease this hardship. My recently built living house is incomplete and it falls under my concerns. I also pay school fees for my two children in secondary schools. I am much overwhelmed with joy because the amount will really help to settle the narrated concerns."