"What GiveDirectly does well is giving us unconditional cash transfers so that we can plan for ourselves. Previously, the poverty levels in my village was so evident and now that person were able to plan for themselves, everyone got what they need, some build houses, others bought water tanks, others bought livestock among other things. We are so grateful for the support."

"Receiving this money means access to clean rainwater. In our area, we get water from rivers and this water is usually not safe for drinking and am worried that we will get water-borne diseases. So when I get this transfer I will build an iron-roofed house costing KES 30000. This house will help us get a more spacious house to live in and also in harvesting rainwater."

"My house did not have a door and goats used to get into my house searching for water, they ended up pouring my fetched water stored in the house. This used to drain my energy as it takes an hour to get water. One of my relatives gave me a door and this brought joy and happiness to me as the goats could no longer get into my house."

"Scarcity of water in the area- there is no safe drinking water in the area, I Have to travel more than 2kilometres to the water pan.There is no power - no solar or electricity in my house. During the night, its totally dark. Getting food, we need to do charcoal burning activities which has brought deforestation.The life here is not conducive because during the night, its very cold."

"I have never had joy for the past 6 months in my house. My elder son fell sick and spent all the money I had, I had to sell my 2 goats to cater for his medications. He had a stomach problems which persisted for 3 months and later was discovered suffering from typhoid which was caused by the unclean water we use for drinking."

"I was on my way to fetch water that morning when I received the message that the money had arrived. I was overjoyed because I had lots of things on my mind especially financial stress because my children could not continue to attend class and yet I had absolutely no money to aid the situation. Therefore when the money came in I was completely over the moon."

"I spent part of my second transfer on buying three goats at a total of KES 9000. It has been my dream to own them for years but I couldn't afford them since they were relatively expensive. Also, I purchased a new mattress at KES 1100 which was to replace the old clothes that I have been using as beddings. I could always wake up in so much pain with lots of fatigue. I am happy that for now I no longer complain of the discomforts. To add to that, I bought a water tank of 140litters at KES 1200. I can now comfortably harvest and store water for my domestic usage. With the remaining amount of money, I am using it to buy foodstuffs for my family which is comprised of four members."

"This area is largely dry and getting safe water for household use is the biggest challenge that I face. The nearest water pan is 5-kilometers away and carrying a 20-liter jerrican of water on your back is not easy. Take note that I make 4-5 trips because ones would not be sufficient. I have developed chest pains as a result of doing this over and over. Sadly I have to continue because I have no option since I cannot afford to hire a motorbike to ferry it for me."

"Four seasons have passed without us harvesting anything from our farms. First came COVID-19 crippled our livelihood then drought. Life seems to be getting harder. This being a forest food is scarce. Previously we would rely on farm produce, maize, and cassava but now nothing is available. Our rivers are drying out and the little water left is for domestic use and our livestock. The eight children I have to feed daily caused me to have sleepless nights, just worrying of where our next meal will come from."

"I am a single mother of 4 school-going children. I fend for them alone which is a tall order since I depend on casual jobs of fetching and carrying water for use in the hotels in the nearby Chebunyo market. I get paid KES 20 per 20-liter container. On a good day, I get up to KES 200 which I used to buy household items and foodstuff but other days I do not get these jobs, especially during raining season. Life has not been easy, I have lived a life of hopelessness and destitution. All along I have desired to buy a dairy cow but due to lack of finance, it has not been possible. Receiving this money will put a smile on my face, I intend to buy a dairy cow worth KES 40000. This will boost me a lot in terms of being food sufficient as I will get milk and sell the surplus to get disposable income. I will use the rest of the money to buy school uniforms for my children."