"I am planning to reopen my small hotel, which focuses on selling food items, and this is my main goal for the coming year and beyond. The hotel previously failed due to a lack of water, as we are currently experiencing significant drought, making water very scarce. Those who have it are selling a 20-liter jerrican for Kes 50, which is quite expensive. This was one of the major challenges that led to the closure of my hotel. I am solely responsible for taking care of our children since my spouse and I separated. Life is very challenging, but I am grateful for the support from GiveDirectly, which allows me to earn something and plan for my family's needs. Additionally, I have moved in with my children to my parents’ place, where I receive some support from them; otherwise, life would be unbearable. To achieve my dream of reopening the business, I save a portion of my transfer so that I will be prepared without facing challenges when the time comes. I am thankful to be part of this program."

"The past few months have been especially challenging for my family. My dear daughter-in-law had been unwell for some time, but recently her condition worsened, and she had to be admitted to the hospital. The transfers from GiveDirectly have been an important support during this difficult time. I used $60 from my recent transfer to help with her hospitalization and cover my transport expenses so I could visit her at the hospital. Despite our prayers and the doctors’ efforts, my daughter-in-law did not recover. Losing her has left an indescribable void in my heart. She was dearly loved, and now she has left behind my son and two young children who will feel her absence profoundly. To help settle her hospital bill and to prepare for her final journey, I used another $30 of the transfer. With the remaining $12, I bought food and water for myself, as I had nothing left, and the drought that struck our region has made it hard to secure necessities. I am very grateful to God for giving my family and me the strength to endure this sorrowful time. I also want to express my deep gratitude to GiveDirectly for their support, which enabled me to care for my beloved daughter-in-law and see her through to her final rest."

"I started by investing $101 to plough two acres of land and set up ridges, which was essential since it’s the planting season for beans. Following that, I spent $100 on quality bean seeds to ensure a good harvest. I know that beans can provide a quick return on investment, so I’m hopeful for a fruitful season. In addition to farming, I also addressed a pressing need at home. I bought a metal bed for $100 because my wooden one had fallen victim to termites and was infested with bedbugs. This small change will help us sleep better and maintain our health. Moreover, I invested $95 in ten pipes for irrigation on my farm, which will enable me to water my beans more effectively, ensuring a robust crop yield. With the remainder of the cash transfer, I purchased fuel for my generator, which I will use to pump water for irrigation. All these investments are aimed at improving our living situation and ensuring a better future for my family."

"When I received the cash transfer, I immediately put $300 towards buying 30 bags of cement. I’ve been building a three-room house, and the floor was just sand, which gets dusty and messy when it rains. With the cement, I plan to give the floor a solid finish and also raise the entrance a little to prevent water from getting in during heavy rains. It’s a small improvement, but it makes the home feel more stable and comfortable for all of us. I also used $80 to plough two acres of land to plant beans. Farming has always been a crucial part of our family’s income, and beans are a reliable crop that does well in our area. Lastly, I set aside $20 to buy some clothes for my 4-year-old daughter and myself. It felt nice to treat us a little and have something new to wear. I used the remaining money to stock up on household food items to ensure we’re food secure as I continue working as a teacher and supporting my husband, who also helps with the farm."

"When I received my latest transfer, I had two main priorities in mind. We are currently facing a severe drought, and I've been investing my transfers in purchasing goats, so it's crucial for me to take good care of them. This investment is key to my future financial stability, as I plan to attend college. When the time comes, I will sell some goats to help pay for my tuition. Given the water shortage and the increased demand for water from those who have it, I spent $42 on water for both human consumption and for my goats. Additionally, I purchased two more goats for $60 to enhance my goat project. I aim to have fifty goats in total, and as of now, I have twenty."

"My spouse and I rely on casual jobs to provide for our six children. The support from GiveDirectly has been invaluable to our household, especially when it comes to covering the school fees for our children. With the latest transfer, my top priority was to pay their fees, so I allocated $30 specifically for this purpose. These transfers have truly made a difference; my children are no longer sent home for being behind on fees, as I have informed the teachers about my monthly income from GiveDirectly. They understand that I will pay regularly according to our agreement. Additionally, I purchased $42 worth of food for our family. Due to the ongoing drought, sourcing food and water has become quite challenging. Therefore, I wanted to have some provisions set aside while we continue to search for jobs to support the family. Lastly, I saved the remaining $30 in our merry-go-round group, as I plan to use this savings to invest in an income-generating activity that will support my family in the future."

"With the ongoing drought and the hunger we are facing, my current plan is to continue using a portion of my transfers to buy food and water for my family, ensuring we do not go hungry. Also, to buy water for my livestock to keep them healthy. I will keep doing this until the rains come, and we are able to harvest enough food to sustain ourselves and have water in our watering points that we can fully rely on. It is a difficult time, but I am determined to keep my family fed and safe. At the same time, I am focused on securing our future. I plan to keep saving part of my transfers in our local savings group with the goal of buying more goats. My hope is that these goats will multiply, increasing in both number and value. In the long run, they will become valuable assets that I can rely on, especially when this support program comes to an end. I am incredibly grateful for the help I have been receiving, and I am committed to using it wisely to not only survive today but to build a more secure future for my family."

"We live near the river, and this year we experienced severe floods. It was a terrifying night, and by luck, we were not swept away by the rising waters. The water nearly covered us, and the most frightening part was the danger to our 5-year-old daughter. We could not escape because it happened at night, and the water levels were so high inside our house that we had to stand on the bed, holding our daughter above the water for hours, waiting for the levels to recede. That life-threatening experience made me determined to make a change. I plan to focus on crop farming, specifically planting seed maize, and I will use the proceeds to finish paying for a plot on higher ground that we secured on debt. Once we own the plot, we will construct a house there, ensuring our family’s safety from future floods."

"As a casual laborer, I earn a living through small jobs like fetching water and occasional farm work for others. However, these jobs are hard to find, especially now with the unfavorable weather for farming. To support my children and my five nieces and nephews, I used a large portion of my transfer of $94 to buy food. This purchase has helped us get by, ensuring that we have enough to eat even during this tough time. I also bought two hens for $4, and I am happy to see that they have multiplied, giving me about ten chicks. Once they are grown, I plan to sell a few to cover our most urgent needs. Additionally, I spent $4 on school fees so my daughter could sit for her end-of-term exams. I am very grateful for the financial support, which has helped me take care of my family and given us some stability."

"I live with my young granddaughter, who is currently attending primary school. I support her education by covering her school fees, and recently I spent $30 to ensure she could continue attending without any interruptions due to unpaid fees. I am thankful that she was able to complete her third term and sit for her end-of-term exams without any outstanding balances. With the remaining $72, I purchased food and water for us. The ongoing drought has dried up our nearby water sources, so I now have to buy water from vendors, who charge very high prices. Walking long distances to fetch water is difficult for me, so I am grateful for the financial support that allows me to cover this need. Although I am unable to farm due to the lack of rain, these transfers are helping me provide for myself and my granddaughter."