"After receiving the transfers I decide to buy some clothes and some of them included a wrapper which is not only cultural but also traditional according to where I come from and it cost me KES 500. I chose to buy a wrapper because all the ones I had were torn and not decent enough to even move around in. Apart from that, I also bought six gallons of water for KES 200 because water is very scarce here and sometimes not even recommended for drinking. Lastly I saved the rest of my money for any emergency that would emerge."

"I had left earlier that day at around six in the morning in search of water and I managed to get back at around nine because water is scarce in our area and in order to find some I need to walk and fetch it which is quite a distance from where I stay. On arriving that is when I heard the message and I gave my daughter to read since I cannot and she informed me what it entailed. I was so happy because my kids could finally go back to school at last and what a coincidence it arrived when I could actually use the financial assistance."

"I was from fetching water to be used in cooking breakfast. My phone rang and upon looking through it I found the text message that confirmed that I had received cash from GiveDirectlly. I became very happy and I rejoiced and thanked God for that."

"With the delay on my transfer for a period of two months, it finally came when I had put all plans I had in place. With the first KES13000, I managed to obtain four rolls of chain links, poles, paid the labor force that worked on fencing all around the compound, and also obtained ten layers each at KES300. I had been hoping to establish a poultry unit but had been hard since I had no finances. Alongside the huge investment in the poultry project, I also obtained a goat at KES4000 that I am currently rearing as well. Living in an area prone to frequent droughts, I needed a water tank to collect rainwater that had been going on waste whenever it rains. With this great support, I could not afford to miss a chance of obtaining a tank. I am glad that I managed to secure a 2300-liter plastic tank at KES27500, ferried it home, and now enjoying the clean water after establishing a water collection and conveyance system around to the house to the tank. The challenge of walking daily to and from the river to fetch water has reduced drastically as I have been keen on ensuring that all the rainwater from the roof is collected. With the remaining amount, I had to use part of it on interior furnishing of my house by obtaining 18 new cushions at KES6300, bringing in an additional chair worth KES1200, 10 pieces of soft boards used as ceiling boards, and also obtaining clothing and foodstuff for my children with the remaining amount."

"I am a farmer and during this draught, it has been difficult to earn some income to support my family. The drought has brought about no rain for planting and no water for drinking. With this money, I was able to pay KES.1200 on school fees for my children who are already in school."

"Since my parents moved out from the old family house that we were raised in from our childhood period, I inherited the house and had been sheltering in it with my family for three years now. On receiving the first transfer, I had to source all the construction materials, and I am glad that the construction is almost complete after spending KES32000. I also had to do a lot on my farms where I hired a labor force and obtained enough inputs in readiness for the planting season at KES2500. It has been my wish to also plant additional trees in my compound after cutting down most of the mature trees. With KES1000 from the remaining amount, I obtained tree seedlings that I planted during the rainy season. We also had a plan as an extended family to connect piped water to our compound. Each household was tasked to contribute KES5000 that I did before exhausting the first transfer I had received."

"I dont face any challenges, i always work had to fins food for myself and family. I do causal labor like fetching water for other households."

"I was from fetching water at a nearby water pan at around 9 am. I got a notification that I had received money from GiveDirectly. I was very happy and immediately rushed to and withdraw the cash."

"Life in my area has become hard. Our farms are no longer productive the climatic conditions are very harsh. Growing food on the farm is a waste of time and resources at the moment. We mostly depend on manual jobs such as burning charcoal and building house for other people and also selling water since it is a scarce commodity at the moment. With the manual jobs, it is hard to survive on them. When I got the cash I spent KSH 210 on purchasing water for my use at the home. I also spent KSH 1200 to pay school fees for my kids who were on the verge of being sent home from school due to fee balances. I also spent KSH 1200 on buying food for the family to avoid scenarios where we have no food at all in the house."

"I was from fetching water from a nearby tap at around 10 am in morning. I looked into my phone and indeed confirmed that I had received cash from GiveDirectly. I quickly walked towards the Mpesa and withdrew the money and immediately bought food and later that day paid school fees for my kids. I was very happy that I has received the funds"