"We spent the second transfer on buying a water tank and gutters for collecting the rainwater. We bought the tank at KES 20000 and the gutters cost us approximately KES 15000. We also used KES 4000 to pay for two monthly check-ups for our child who usually goes for them and her transport cost. With the remaining amount, we used in buying food. We decided to buy the tank and the gutters so that we can collect clean rainwater for our household use. We usually go to the river to fetch water but the water from the river is not clean, one can get sick by consuming it. We were not able to buy the water tank before because we didn't have the money. We usually depend on the sale of eggs and milk from our cow and chickens to get money for buying food and other household items. I am also casually employed to baby sit a child and the money that I get paid I usually save some of it in the self-help groups through the merry-go-round contributions. The lump sum amount that I receive from the merry-go-round contributions is what we usually use in paying school fees for our child who is in his final year of secondary school. We are hence grateful to GiveDirectly because we were able to collect rainwater and hence we now have clean water for our use."

"This has been a very major and positive step towards enriching people's lives as they have been able to build much better houses, buy water tanks for storage ensuring they lack no water and in general improve livelihoods."

"I had just arrived in my house from fetching water from a nearby water pan. My phone rang out loudly. I checked it out and found out that I had received my first transfer. It thrilled me that finally I had received the money. I was getting worried that I would miss my next meals because I lacked money to buy food. I quickly headed straight to the Mpesa shop, withdrew the money and bought some food for myself"

"I was on my way to go fetch water for my use at home. My phone rang loudly. I checked it and found out that I had received my transfer. I started ululating and shouting loudly. This attracted the attention of people walking alongside me. They all became eager to know why I was this happy and I explained to them I had received my transfer from GiveDirectly. They congratulated me as I headed to the water point. When I later arrived at home, I shared the good news with my husband and we sat down on how best to use the money."

"I was resting inside my house as I had walked for about 50 kilometers to fetch water for my use in the house. My daughter came into the house rejoicing that she had received her transfer. I immediately became anxious and checked my phone to confirm if I too had received my transfer. To my utter surprise, I found out that I had received the money too, and we both rejoiced and danced. Together with her, we headed to the Mpesa shop, where we withdrew the money. Later, we came home and planned on how to spend the money."

"When I separated from my husband, the sole responsibility of taking of my four children rested upon me. Manual jobs are what I do to look after my children. I fetch water for other people and get paid. I also work in quick contact jobs such as helping in hotels. The little I earn is just enough to feed my children and I have nothing left to save or engage in other activities, such as starting a business. I have severally been unable to pay school fees for my children and they were sent home. Them being sent home has distracted them and has even started performing poorly. When I received my transfer spent half of the transfer to clear off part of the school debt so that they won't be sent home and stay in school and continue with their education. Because of the little money I earn used the other half of KSH 600 to buy 5 packets of maize flour. I bought the food in bulk so that we do not have to sleep hungry."

"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."