"As I lay my head down each night in the small, cramped house that doubles as my granary, I can't help but dream of a safer, more secure future. The rainy season is a constant source of anxiety, as the very structure that's supposed to shelter me becomes a magnet for water. But I refuse to be defined by my circumstances. That's why I took matters into my own hands and started building a new house on higher ground, away from the constant threat of flooding. With the perimeter now complete, my focus shifts to the next crucial step which is the roof. With the support from GiveDirectly, I see a path forward, a way to turn this half-built dream into a reality. Over the coming year and beyond, I aim to use every transfer wisely, investing in the materials needed to finish the roof and transform this house into a true home."

"As the head of a family of nine, one of my biggest challenges is ensuring that we have enough food while also providing quality education for my children. The heavy rains during October, November, and December last year were particularly cruel, as they led to a poor harvest for us. Our farm, which is located along the river bank, suffered greatly as the excessive rainwater washed away most of our crops. Meanwhile, my husband's business of tapping palm wine has also taken a hit. The demand for palm wine has been so low that even the stock tapped in the morning can go unsold for up to three days. This downturn in business has significantly impacted our household income. As a result of these challenges, we've been forced to cut down on our meals, from three a day to just two. As a woman in the household, I've had to step in and implement various strategies to help make ends meet alongside my husband. It's been a difficult time, but we're doing our best to navigate through these tough circumstances."

"Having been adversely affected by the recent floods that raged through my house causing loss and despair, I am planning to use KES 40,000 as the cost of demolishing the current house and transporting materials to the acquired land (not prone to floods). The cost includes labour cost for construction of the new house. To make my farm productive again, i intend to acquire irrigation PDE pipes to supply water at a cost of KES 60,000. The remaining KES 10,000 will help in buying farm inputs (Tilling, seeds, fertilizer and Insecticides)"

"Living in a region sorrounded by two rivers presents a formidable challenge, especially during the rainy season when floods become a regular occurrence. My biggest worry is the lack of financial means to move my family to a safer location during these moments of danger. Each flood incident escalates my concern for the safety of my loved ones, heightened further by the looming threat of waterborne illnesses that frequently accompany such crises. Moreover, the loss of my goat and two kids adds to the distress. Finding a resolution to this persistent predicament is crucial to securing the welfare of my family."

"It was late in the evening, and I had gone to fetch water from a distant river about 2 kilometres away. I left my phone at home since I was not expecting any calls. When I returned home with the 20-litre jerry can on my back, I decided to check my phone while resting on a nearby seat. To my surprise, I found an unread message. I opened it and saw it was a Mpesa message indicating the receipt of a GD transfer. My heart filled with joy, and I immediately informed my children of the good news. We were all so happy, knowing that our immediate needs would be taken care of. I planned to withdraw the money the next day and buy food for my family. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for bringing such happiness and relief to our lives."

"To save my crops from dying, I intend to use KES 35,000 on buying a gasoline generator for pumping water from the river to irrigate my farm. This will increase productivity and yield compared to current practice. KES 20,000 shall go into buying essential lost/destroyed household items by the effects of floods. For the fear of floods recurring again, i am planning to use KES 55,000 to acquire land elsewhere that is safe from floods. This will prevent my future agony and losses as a result of floods."

"Being old and not able to engage in any agricultural activity or casual labour job for a living, I am having the challenge of getting money to buy food for myself. I am currently depending on the support from children and relatives to eat. Some of the donated food was washed washed away and destroyed by the flood water."

"Following the recent floods that raged the area, I intend to spend KES 50,000 to purchase an alternative land to migrate my family into, this will help prevent future losses. I will use KES 30,000 to invest in farming (Maize), this will go into buying inputs (Land tilling, Seeds, Watering). The remaining KES 30,000, i will use them food, household items, clothing and paying fees for my 3 secondary school children."

"Once beaten, twice shy! After the damages the floods caused to my household one month ago, I have seriously considered relocating to safer ground. However, this requires finances that I currently do not have. As a family of three, we often depend on farming to earn a living, but the floods partly washed away our farms. At the moment, my maize farm is doing fairly well but requires maintenance, such as watering, which I cannot afford due to the cost of fuel. When I receive my transfers, I plan to spend $100 on maintaining my maize farm to ensure a successful harvest. This will involve purchasing fertilizers and fuel.To avoid future calamities, I will spend $500 to purchase a 0.5-acre piece of land on safer ground. This investment will provide my family with security and peace of mind, ensuring we do not have to worry about damages from future floods."

"As they say, agriculture is the backbone of Kenya's economy, and like many others, I rely on it to provide for my family of seven. The farms here in Murda are exceptionally fertile, a fortune that every farmer admires. However, misfortunes can strike unexpectedly. One month ago, flash floods hit our area and washed away the tomatoes I had sown on my 1-acre piece of land. A wave of bitterness passed through me as I witnessed the extent of my losses. The money I spent and the efforts I had input with the hope that my family's financial status would be restored were all in vain. My tomatoes were at the flowering stage, and I had invested over $1000 in them, using the profits I had earned from a previous watermelon harvest. Relocating to a safer area is not an option for me due to financial constraints. Therefore, my only choice is to re-cultivate the farm, hoping that such devastating floods will not occur again."