"Every night, as I stand vigilant outside the health center, I feel the weight of my family's needs pressing upon me. The meager wage I earn as a watchman is not enough to provide for them comfortably. A dream has taken root in my heart, nurtured by the stars that watch over me during those quiet hours. My aspirations are simple yet significant; with the means to do so, I envision purchasing water tanks for storing this precious resource. The aridness of our region has created a dire need for water, and by meeting this need, I can bring relief to both my community and my kin. By selling water and utilizing it for irrigation, I can break free from the limitations of my current role and ensure my family's comfort. As I stand guard through the night, I hold onto the hope that this dream until it becomes a reality."

"Six months ago, I planted maize under irrigation and thankfully I harvested four sacks of ninety-kilogram. I sold two sacks and got $100 which I used to pay school fees for my children and the other two sacks are what we are still using as food."

"I used to admire my neighbour's successful mango farming and wished to have a similar venture of my own. It seemed that mangoes flourish in arid regions like ours and bring substantial profits during harvest season. However, financial limitations, brought on by my job as a public transport driver with a monthly income of just $150, hindered the realization of my aspiration. Nonetheless, when GiveDirectly provided the transfer opportunity, I saw a chance to turn my dream into reality. I used the entire amount towards my farming project. To begin, I utilized $50 to complete the construction of a permanent fence around my three-acre land by purchasing two pieces of chain-link mesh and covering labour costs. Although I had started the fencing with the second transfer, I couldn't complete it at the time. I'm delighted to announce that my land is now properly enclosed, effectively preventing animals from causing harm to my crops. Further, I invested $320 in acquiring a 5000-litre water storage tank, a pivotal addition to my farm. Additionally, I dedicated $50 to purchasing water pipes that enable me to draw water from a nearby river for irrigation purposes. The remaining $50 was utilized to purchase and plant 50 mango seedlings. I'm thrilled to share that the mango trees are thriving, and I attribute this progress to the water tank, which has greatly facilitated efficient irrigation."

"Three years ago, we invested in a one-acre plot of land located in Kaptombes. However, there remained an outstanding balance of $450 on the payment. With the recent arrival of the third transfer, we strategically decided to allocate $300 from it to reduce the remaining debt. This decision was driven by the landowner's requirement that the debt be settled before we could begin farming on the land. Despite the small amount, I consider this a step forward, and I am satisfied that we are getting closer to paying off the debt. This particular piece of land holds considerable promise due to its proximity to a river. This geographical advantage enables us to engage in irrigation farming, a significant improvement over our current farming location, plagued by salty water that hampers crop growth. Utilizing the remaining portion of the transfer, I procured food for my family of six. Given our dependence on farming as our primary income source, which often falls short of covering various expenses such as school fees and other responsibilities, having an adequate food supply is paramount. Ensuring that young children receive consistent meals is of the utmost importance."

"Receiving the transfer has significantly improved my quality of life. I now possess an ample supply of utensils, which means I won't have to borrow from my neighbors anymore when guests visit. This newfound self-sufficiency shields me from the embarrassment I experienced in the past. Moreover, the prospect of soon establishing an extra source of income through crop irrigation farming fills me with contentment. This income, combined with the casual labor I am currently engaged in, will allow me to provide the best possible support for my family."

"Anticipating the final transfer from GiveDirectly, I had initially planned just two significant undertakings for my family. Firstly, constructing a perimeter fence around my farmland was a top priority, and this involved purchasing barbed wire, chain links, poles, and nails, amounting to a total expenditure of $380. This not only marked the boundary of my acreage but also effectively deterred zebras and stray domestic animals from encroaching on my crops. I am pleased that since the completion of the fence, my crop cultivation has thrived, and I am currently looking forward to a substantial harvest of tomatoes and maize. The remaining portion of the transfer, after spending $35 on food, went towards acquiring various household essentials, which are now being used by my family of seven. Throughout this time, our livelihood was sustained by subsistence farming, which encompassed crops like tomatoes, maize, beans, and butternuts. Despite challenges posed by drought, we managed by sharing water from seasonal streams in our village for irrigation purposes."

"In the coming year and beyond, my focus will be firmly set on agriculture. I am determined to lease a parcel of land near the river to establish an irrigation-based farming project. I plan to cultivate a rotation of beans and tomatoes for commercial purposes. Through careful observation, I've come to recognize the substantial returns that can be achieved from this approach. This agricultural venture holds the potential to become a significant and dependable source of income for my family."

"Following a deliberation with my husband, we made the choice to first do the cultivation of a farm in a scheme located near Marigat. Consequently, $100 from the initial transfer was allocated towards the acquisition of seeds and fertilizer, as well as covering certain fees. A notable advantage in this location is our capability to implement irrigation for our crops. This marks a significant shift from the challenges we previously encountered, where we had to engage in casual labor, including charcoal burning, to gather the necessary funds for these endeavors. The remaining portion of the transfer was spent on food for my four grandchildren, with whom I stay with."

"The biggest challenge we face is a lack of food. In the last 3 years, there has been little rain. This has not been enough for growing maize. This has affected our ability to get food. We also depend on irrigation but the water doesn't get to our farm because people upstream use it all. All these have made it difficult to get food. We mainly depend on casual labour which is hard to come by. One is paid $3 per day which can hardly support our family due to the high cost of living. This has made our lives difficult, affecting our ability to put food daily on the table."

"When I lost my formal job, I used the savings that I had to invest in farming. However, the money was not enough to purchase all the farming materials like a generator hence reduced yields due to lack of sufficient water in the farm. I am so happy because the transfers from Givedirectly will see me achieve this ambition and do farming on a full-time basis. I will use $350 to purchase a generator and water pipes for a consistent supply of water. This will ensure an increase in acreage under irrigation hence an increase in output and income."