"A second chance at livestock farming. It is terrible that I had to lose four of my cows to the previous drought. I remember watching them die when all they craved for was water but I could not share it with them because it was scarce and had to feed my family first. They were vital for my farming activities. Apart from farming, I burn charcoal but it is not as sustainable as farming. I will need to buy a bull and a cow just to help with my farming activities as I am hopeful that this year the rain will pour. All I can do is remain hopeful as I save part of these transfers to assist in acquiring the cows. My first goal is to save up to 20000 KES. Once I attain this I will be one happy farmer."

"Receiving this money means that at least my husband weight of providing for our small family has been lowered. He has been working as a motorcycle rider for over 5 years, and we have been able to do so much with savings that they put together with other motorbike riders as a table banking. Upon receiving the first transfer of 55,000 KSH we plan to finish building a toilet that had stopped for lack of funds, the total cost is around 30,000 KSH. The rest of the money will be channelled to bring a water project at home, which will be our income generating activities, we plan to sell water to relieve our neighbors from travelling far to get clean water. The whole cost of piping is at 25,000 KSH."

"My son started a water business for me, which was one of my biggest dream, and at least I get some few bob which I pay bill and save some for my daily needs especially food for all my grandchildren."

"My house is not in a good condition, One of the walls in my bedroom is falling off and the other side of the wall is continuously dropping leaving openings. You can see the inside from the outside, and whenever it rains water gets into through the openings making it impossible to sleep. I spend the entire time sitting down in a corner until it stops. It is cold at night and I usually lit a fire to keep warm but it is dangerous, when I get asleep it can burn the entire house and myself, I will therefore spend 30000 KES of the first transfer to build a better house."

"I spent most of the transfer money on building another house for my family. I spent KES 30000 on doing so where I bought iron sheets and trees for building poles. I also spent part of the money in paying for the labour costs. I wanted to construct another house because the one that we use to live in was very small and the space was no longer enough for us all. I hence wanted another one that is modern and much bigger which was going to fit the five of us, that is, me together with my four children. I was not in a position to construct one before since I didn't have the large sum of money needed to do so. I have a small business of hawking snacks such as biscuits that I depend on. The little money that I make from it is what I use in purchasing foodstuffs such as maize, milk, sugar for my family. Apart from constructing the house, I also spent KES 14000 on buying clothes for myself and my children. I also bought two bags of maize at KES 4500 per bag. With the remaining amount of money that was left, I used it in buying some foodstuffs since the Christmas celebration was around the corner, and some I used it in paying for my medical expenses since I was not feeling well and I had to visit the hospital. I am so much grateful to GiveDirectly because all these have been possible due to them. We now have a bigger house, and with having roofed it with iron sheets, I can collect rain water for our household consumption."

"We spent most of the transfer money on buying a cow. We bought it at KES 40000. Buying the cow was our biggest priority upon receiving the transfers since we didn't have one. So due to that, we usually incur the cost of purchasing milk on a daily basis. We usually buy a litre at KES 50 and this amount of milk is only enough to prepare tea for the whole family of six. We used to have some cows but we had to sell them to get money for paying school fees for our three children who were then in secondary school. They have since completed their studies but we still have one who is still in secondary school. As a result, we are not yet off the hook when it comes to school fee payment which has always been our biggest challenge. I have a business of selling water and the money that I make from it is what I use in paying school fees for the child. We have hence not been able to purchase another cow since we didn't have the money. So when GiveDirectly came in with the program, we saw an opportunity to achieve our dream. We now hence no longer incur the cost of buying milk like before. Other than buying the cow, we also bought a goat at KES 4000, paid remedial classes fee for the child, and my husband used part of it to buy a mobile phone for himself. With the remaining amount of money, we used it in buying food and clothes for ourselves. Thank you so much GiveDirectly for the support."

"I was in my house preparing to go to the nearby water pan to fetch water for the family. I remember it was around 6 am, I was with my husband the day I received the mpesa message from GiveDirectly. I was so happy about receiving the aid since I have never hold such a huge amount of money."

"It was in the evening and I was from fetching water when I heard the notification tone and I knew that must be the text message confirming that I have received the money from GiveDirectly. I was so happy when I got the money because I didn't believe that I would get the money. Therefore, it was great happiness to me when I got it."

"After fetching water for the house, I heard my phone ring and when I went to check, it was my cash transfer from GiveDirectly. I was extremely happy when I confirmed it with my neighbour."

"I was resting in front of my house. I was from fetching water from the nearby water pan. While resting, I had my phone ring loudly. I checked it out and saw that I had received a text message. My grandson, who was nearby, read the message for me and explained that I had received my transfer. I was thrilled and started ululating since I did not expect to receive funds on that day, and this was a miracle for me. I went straight ahead and withdrew the money."