"My community boasted of bountiful maize harvests when I was growing up until my 50s. About two decades ago this has since changed. We have been reduced to poverty due to diminishing of a commodity that had kept everyone above water. This shortcoming was caused by a soil borne disease that has been adamantly ruining our crops over time leaving us with scanty harvests which cannot sustain unlimited needs. This is the biggest hardship I've faced in my life. "

"The happiest part of my day is in the afternoon when I come home from the construction sites where I mostly do casual work like ferrying building materials such as water, cement, stones etc. The work is labour intensive and drains a lot of my energy. However, in the afternoon is when I rest and regain my strength."

"I spent my second transfers on buying building materials for plastering my house. I had bought other building materials using the first transfers and I was stuck because I didn't have enough money to buy other materials that were needed. The new site where we were moving to has poor drainage and during rainy season water can sip through the floor of the house. This is why I prioritized plastering the house before doing any development project. I thank Give Directly or saving us from this menace, I don't think I would have done the plastering this soon."

"Receiving this money means I will be able to buy a cow for milk production but mainly for household consumption and if it all goes well, I will add more cows then the balance of the money, I will use it for buying a bicycle which I can easily send any one to fetch for me water for domestic use since water points are far and at my age its difficult to walk for long distances.Also incase I get sick, I can request any of my relatives to carry me on my bicycle to seek for medical treatment I ncase I get sick."

"Currently, my life is currently different from how it was in that I have become independent. My income has increased because I left selling water and started a new business of selling pudding. I have been able to get more income as compared to before hence able to take care of my needs easily. Nowadays I don't take loans from my friends like I used to do."

"Lack of finances is and always has been a headache in our family. After completing my primary education, I could not proceed further with my education and I ended up getting married out of frustration. Luckily, a friend taught me how to sew but I have not been able to practice this skill because I could not afford to buy a sewing machine. Later, another friend trained me to plait hair but I do not earn much from this because I do it from home and only depend on walk ins recommended by neighbors and friends which are very few. My husband's casual work also pays less than two dollars a day which cannot sustain all our needs of food, water and education for my children."

"I currently own one dairy cow, whose milk has financed my child's education. Now that GiveDirectly has come to our aid my plan is to spend part of the first transfer to purchase another dairy cow and a few sheep. Such assets will act as security for my family's welfare and upkeep. On a rainy day I would sell a sheep or two to meet a necessity and future uncertainties to keep my family above water. I would further spend the remaining amount to build a new house for me and my children. "

"I bought a car wash machine which has so far been of great help to me in terms of getting additional cash on top of my normal day to day job where I operate a barbershop. barbershop business. On top of that, I also made sure that I bought a water tank which will act as a preserve for the family especially during the dry seasons. I also went to the shops and bought a brand new music system which I use as a source of entertainment at my workplace."

"The small hut my family and I live in is too old, too small and leaks in water during rainy seasons. Receiving this money will therefore enable me to build a new three roomed iron roofed house meaning my life will greatly change. I will then use the remaining part of the transfer to add a dairy cow to the one i have since i rely on selling milk to earn some income to support needs of my family each day"

"Farming is a major source of food and income in my community. When we are faced with prolonged drought every year, crops wither and water pans dry up. Sometimes, livestock perish too. When this happen, we are forced to sell remaining animals for throwaway prices for survival. This is the biggest hardship I've faced in my life. "