"In the coming year and beyond, I am excited about completing my tertiary education. My future plans involve making good use of the nearby dam's water resources. I intend to invest in pipes and set up an irrigation project on my one-acre plot of land. My agricultural plan is to cultivate both maize and tomatoes in rotation. I have observed my neighbor successfully implementing this strategy, and I believe it can be a profitable source of income for my family. Concurrently, I will continue searching for employment opportunities related to my field of study."

"In the years to come and beyond, my goal is to lease an acre of land close to the river. This will open up opportunities for practicing irrigation, which is crucial in our area due to recurrent rainfall shortages that impact crop production. My plan is to cultivate maize on this land, with the dual purpose of selling it for profit and ensuring a stable supply for our domestic needs. This step toward irrigation farming will help secure our food supply and potentially generate additional income for my family."

"In the coming year and beyond, my goal is to maximize our agricultural potential. We are currently preparing the land, and with anticipated heavy rains that will fill our rivers, we hope to have an ideal setup for irrigation. My plan is to cultivate beans and maize on approximately an acre and a half of land alongside the river. This decision is driven by the desire to ensure a stable source of food and income for my family, taking advantage of the available water resources for successful and sustainable farming."

"Having a family of 10 all at home, it has been a constant struggle to provide for them solely through subsistence and livestock farming while juggling the expenses of school fees and daily goods. When GiveDirectly came into our lives, it was a much-needed lifeline. I allocated $70 to purchase food staples, ensuring that our family's basic needs were met. Another $80 was invested in my existing retail business in the nearby shopping center, where I expanded my stock. This decision not only benefited my family but also made my customers happier, as they could find everything they needed in one convenient stop at my shop. Recognizing the importance of improving our farming practices, I spent $20 on water pumping for irrigation, which has enhanced our agricultural productivity. Additionally, I allocated $6 to pay for labor in the bean harvesting process and used the remaining $24 to cover school fees for one of my children, easing the burden of education expenses. Thanks to GiveDirectly, our lives have taken a turn for the better, with improved access to food, enhanced livelihood opportunities, and better education prospects for our children."

"The most significant change in my daily life has resulted from the financial support I received. It has given me the means to easily install an irrigation system and procure essential food supplies. In the past, these goals were out of reach due to financial constraints. Now, I am brimming with hope as I embark on planting mangoes and pawpaws, a prospect that fills me with great joy and contentment. I will forever treasure the gift that has transformed my life."

"Since I began receiving unconditional cash transfers from GiveDirectly, the biggest difference in my life has been the newfound hope and opportunity it has provided. With the funds, I was able to invest in a water tank to practice irrigation, a small yet transformative step towards self-sufficiency. I am now on the verge of starting a business where I'll cultivate and sell vegetables and various seedlings, creating a stable source of income. As an elderly individual without a job, life had become a daily struggle; I often went to bed hungry due to the high cost of living. Relying on my children, who lacked a consistent income, was a challenge. But now, through this project, I can see a brighter future ahead where I won't have to worry about meals or dependence, and my life is destined for a remarkable transformation."

"In February we leased a half an acre piece of land and grew maize in the nearby farms next to Wasekes River where there are irrigation farms. We were lucky that the crops did well, we have started harvesting and we expect a bumper harvest. This means that the issue of food insecurity that we have been grappling with will be a thing of the past, we can now breathe a sigh of relief and have a temporary reprieve from the struggle of having to buy the commodity at high prices. We are so elated and certain about the future now that we will have an easy time and only concentrate on looking for school fees."

"It was during the commencement of the planting season when I received the final transfer from GiveDirectly. I was committed to investing the entire sum into a profit-yielding venture with enduring benefits. I leased a 2-acre parcel of land at $100 and promptly initiated the land preparation. The plowing phase incurred an expense of $60, while the subsequent tilling and harrowing amounted to $100. During this period, I spent $30 on food provisions to the hired labor force. Since I already possessed all the necessary inputs, I proceeded to plant without any additional cost. Given the limited rainfall, I combined the remaining $160 with my savings to purchase a water pumping generator, facilitating consistent irrigation throughout the growth cycle of the maize plantation. As a single mother of four children, it was a demanding endeavor to prioritize intensive farming over other needs, but I am content with the outcome - a harvest of 17 sacks, each weighing 90 kg. Presently, I am in the process of drying the maize, preparing to bring it to the market and utilizing the proceeds to fulfill various needs I had initially foregone, including payment of school fees for my three children. It was unfortunate that, my elder daughter had a miscarriage and was admitted in recent weeks, resulting in a medical expenditure of $250 from my savings. I am relieved that she has been discharged and is recuperating at home."

"Amidst the harsh and prolonged drought that grips our community for the better part of the year, goat farming has remarkably thrived, capturing the attention of many households seeking to invest their hard-earned money. The resilience of goats, which subsist on shrubs and thicket leaves, makes this venture irresistible, particularly for those of us residing on arid and rocky terrain, where farming space is limited even with available irrigation methods. From the very first transfer I received to the most recent one, goat farming stood out as my preferred investment choice. In a nearby market, a national goat auction takes place each December, with goats typically fetching an average of $117 as per the previous auction records. With this in mind, I combined the second and third transfers, amounting to $900, to acquire 28 goats, comprising 22 males and 6 females. Presently, my focus lies on fattening this newly acquired herd and supplementing the existing count of more than 50 goats in preparation for the December sale. The proceeds from this endeavor are meant to purchase a piece of arable land within our immediate community, where I intend to engage in subsistence farming to provide ample food for my family of eight."

"While juggling various considerations upon receiving the previous three transfers, I also recognized the importance of effective prioritization to ensure that essential projects took precedence. Adhering to this principle, I dedicated the most recent transfer towards agricultural pursuits, initially allocating $35 to prepare an acre of land, and subsequently investing in seedlings for tomato farming valued at $350 once the land was ready. I additionally absorbed a transportation expense of $30 to bring the seedlings from a source in Naivasha. Presently, I am pleased to note that the remaining funds have been pivotal for on-field management tasks such as spraying, topdressing, and irrigation, often involving water pumping. While this choice meant temporarily setting aside other significant endeavors like constructing a larger, more modern dwelling to replace my current modest one, I decided to fully channel the most recent transfer into farming, anticipating a favorable yield come harvest time. Through the ensuing proceeds, I aim to initiate the construction of a new home suitable for my family of three."