"Domestic violence saw me separate from my estranged husband 2 years ago. Thereafter, I had to bear the sole responsibility of raising my 6 children by engaging in charcoal production that gives me at most KES 1800 in 2 weeks. This money is barely enough for food. My eldest child did not get the privilege of going to school because of all these challenges. He now does casual jobs to supplement the family income. My biggest hardship is therefore lack of sufficient income for food, water, education and other basic needs."

"My day begins in the morning at 6am. I usually walk for about ten kilometres to fetch water. Due to the drought facing our village, I have to cover long distances to find water. I then come back at noon very tired. I cook lunch for my children who come for lunch break from school. I then spend the rest of the day doing my house chores. The only time I rest is in the evening after supper. This makes me long for evening because we have time together as family as we eat and make stories."

"The current challenge I face is the drought, I walk 3km under the scorching sun to fetch very tiring water. The drought has brought hunger, which has made it impossible for me to feed my 5 children. I depend on selling coconut for a living but due to the drought, I do not get good yields as before. I am afraid if it continues, my family will die of hunger."

"With the current drought in my area, getting water has been very difficult. Sometimes I am forced to travel longer distances to get water. This has had some negative implications on my health and productivity in the family because I spend longer hours on the road carrying water home. Traveling longer distances and at the same time paying for the water has been a great challenge given that I solely rely on my husband's motorcycle riding occupation which is not sustainable."

"I am from the first of SIXTEEN SIBLINGS of a polygamous family(Father with THREE WIVES) who had struggled to go through High School and fortunately graduated from the Centos High School. It has always been my wish to forge ahead and become a MEDICAL DOCTOR but due to lack of financial support from my parents, I decided to come back home to start FISHING in order to generate money to support myself in a HIGHER SCHOOL of learning but due to the increased in the water volume and roughness of the Ocean it has been a real challenge getting fish. Upon receiving MONEY from GIVE DIRECTLY, I will immediately travel to MONROVIA to get enrolled into the UNIVERSITY of Liberia to achieve my Goal because it will be a DREAM COME TRUE FOR ME."

"I am a dairy farmer and I have desired to boost my livestock rearing so that it may be stable to sustain my household. I have not achieved this due to financial constraints. Therefore, after receiving the transfer it was a chance to fulfill my wish, I spent KES 17,000 to purchase one indigenous dairy cow to boost my livestock rearing that has been supporting our family of 3 members for many years. I also spent KES 5,000 to repair my house by constructing a corridor where I would sit to relax as well as protect the mud walls when it rains. Previously, I had to repair it several times which was costly. In addition, I spent some money to seek proper medical care since I had problems with my legs after being involved in an accident 3years ago. The remaining amount I saved them to support me in daily needs like food and water since we are currently experiencing drought and famine in our area."

"We had started building a permanent house but left it incomplete due to insufficient funds as we were always forced to use all the money we get on our basic needs and to pay school fees for our children. When I received my transfer, I saw it as an opportunity to complete this house thus I spent KES 41000 on it. Also, I bought a water tank worth KES 16000 after topping up some amount so that we can be using it to harvest rainwater for domestic use. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for enabling me to achieve these two goals that would have taken me years before achieving them."

"Receiving this money will mean better housing for my family. We currently live in a small grass thatched hut with my husband and 2 children. I gave birth to our 2nd born two weeks ago and I find it unhealthy staying with them in this hut. When it rains water pours inside and the floor becomes wet making it unpleasant to stay. Our hut also serves as a kitchen and bedroom and when we cook the smoke makes it uncomfortable to stay indoors especially with a new born. I will use around KSH 30,000 for building materials to build an iron roofed house that can accommodate all of us and the hut we currently stay in will remain as the kitchen."

"The happiest part of my day is always in the morning because it is at this time that I feel strong and energized. Since I am getting old and feeble, the main duties that I engage in from morning to evening is the normal household chores like preparing food for my family, fetching water and firewood which makes the day tiresome for me."

"I have always aspired to rare dairy cattle that will enable me to start a milk selling business. Milk is a commodity that is in high demand within our area. Lack of capital has seen this idea remain idle in my head for a very long time. Receiving this money means that my dream of starting dairy farming has come true. I will invest KES 45000 in purchasing a dairy cow. This will make me start my dairy farming business. Furthermore, my son is pursuing his education at Karatina University, which has been giving me sleepless nights due to school fees areas. I will use KES 30000 to clear school fees areas and have now peace as I work on providing for my household. For the remaining money, I will buy a plastic water tank to harvest rainwater and avoid perennial water shortages."