"My goal for this year and the years to come is to focus on farming to fully recover from the effects of the recent floods. With the support from GiveDirectly, I am committed to approaching farming differently by trying new crops like tomatoes and watermelons, which are in high demand and can generate more income in the market. Making this vision a reality fills me with happiness and hope. Challenges like floods and drought may come, but I am determined not to give up. I will keep trying, working toward a more stable and prosperous future for my family."

"This year was not lucky for me as a farmer. My entire maize crop was destroyed when floods completely covered my farm, leaving me with nothing and causing a severe food shortage. As a result, I had to rely on producing charcoal to sustain my family, which has been both exhausting and environmentally damaging. Now that the water has receded, I plan to give crop farming another try. With the final transfer I am set to receive, I will plant beans, and if it succeeds, I hope to stop the tedious charcoal production that I am currently relying on."

"The cash transfer brought a wave of relief to our lives, like a heavy weight being lifted. I used $20 to help cover my children’s school fees. We had already paid part of it, but we still owed money, and with six children, school fees are a constant worry. My husband earns a living from livestock trading, but his income isn’t always enough to meet all our needs. I stay home to look after the livestock, so this support from the transfer eased a big burden for us and gave us hope for a more secure future.I also used $24 to buy three plastic chairs, something I hadn’t been able to afford for a long time. Our old chairs were falling apart, and we didn’t have enough seats for guests. Now, with new chairs, our home feels more welcoming. I also bought a mattress for $17, so my children finally have a comfortable place to sleep. Before this, they had to sleep on a wood bed with no mattress, which was hard and uncomfortable. Seeing them rest well at night now fills me with gratitude for this simple but life-changing improvement.Finally, I spent $5 on three water jerrycans because our old ones leaked, making it hard to bring water home. I also bought $50 worth of clothes for my children, as they had very few suitable for outings or special occasions. The rest of the money went to buy food, which is a big help since we usually rely on my husband’s income, which can be unreliable. Life was tough before, with constant worries about fees, food, and even basics like clothing. Now, we feel a sense of relief and security that we haven’t felt in years."

"I have a brother who is currently attending Secondary school. As a family, we decided to support him in pursuing his education since our parents are peasant farmers, and their earnings are insufficient to comfortably cover his schooling costs. When I received my latest transfer, I used $45 to pay for his school fees. Additionally, I purchased food for our family that cost $52, as we were in urgent need of both food and water at that time. We are currently experiencing a drought, which has made water scarce, and the suppliers charge high prices. Thus, this financial support has been crucial in helping us afford the essentials we require as a family. Lastly, I spent $5 to clear the fee balance for my two younger siblings who are in primary school."

"I have about five acres of land, but due to financial challenges, I usually rent out about two acres to get some capital for planting the remaining acres. My plan is to stop leasing out this land so that I can fully use it for farming. I am currently waiting for the water to completely recede after the floods before I begin planting. Once the land is ready, I plan to plant maize and vegetables. I will use my final transfer to fund the planting, and from the income I make, I plan to start a business buying and selling vegetables. This way, I can continue crop farming and manage my business, no longer relying on charcoal production, which I want to stop because it is unsustainable and tedious."

"I am very thankful to GiveDirectly for their financial support, which has significantly reduced our financial strain. I have six school-aged children, and given the ongoing drought, our situation is quite challenging. We need to purchase food, water, and other essentials to support my family’s survival. From my latest transfer, I spent $12 on food for the family. Additionally, I purchased three goats for $90, as I plan to trade them for a cow once their numbers increase. I love cows since they provide milk for both household use and commercial sale."

"I was diagnosed with asthma about 20 years ago. I have to depend on fishing to make a living, and this livelihood has contributed to my health's deterioration. Standing in the chilly water for hours is not ideal for someone with my health condition. But I have to do it to sustain my needs and those of my 2 grandchildren. If I can't fish, there's no money and no food. So I continue to gamble between my health and sleeping on an empty stomach."

"I am a farmer, but I do not have the necessary equipment, like a generator, which is essential for successful farming, especially here in Baringo, where drought is rampant. I have been borrowing from my neighbors, but it is not always available when I need it. Sometimes, I am told that I should buy my own, which can be frustrating because without water, my crops cannot survive during the dry season. To solve this, I plan to purchase my own generator using the proceeds from my acre of land, where I am planning to plant maize. With the income from the maize harvest, I will be able to invest in the generator, ensuring my farm is well-irrigated and productive throughout the year."

"Before the floods hit us, I had prepared a one-acre plot where I grew beans and vegetables, but everything was destroyed. Farming has always been my main way of ensuring food security for my family, so this loss created a serious challenge for us. Now, as our lives are beginning to return to normal, I’m planning to restart farming on my one-acre plot. To enhance my efforts, I aim to purchase a water pump for $250, which will enable early cultivation and timely preparations. By farming on schedule, I hope to secure a successful harvest and provide enough food for my family."

"I have a wife and one child, so we rely on farming for our livelihood. Currently, we live in a small mud house with a single roof. The roof, made from old iron sheets, has rusted and developed holes. This becomes a significant problem during the rainy season, as water seeps through the roof and drips on us. When I received my latest transfer, I spent $81 on 30 building poles and some iron sheets. I also purchased $21 worth of food since we were out of supplies when the transfer arrived. I am grateful for the financial support."