"I allocated a significant portion of my transfers towards purchasing building poles. The condition of my grass-thatched house has deteriorated, with rainwater seeping through its numerous gaping holes during rainfall. Enduring these challenges over the past five years, I've often faced sleepless nights due to the rainy conditions. $60 was expended on acquiring the initial set of poles, leaving 14 pieces remaining, which I aim to procure with my forthcoming transfers. Additionally, I settled a $14 school fee debt for my primary school-aged son. Struck by illness, I spent $10 on medical treatment, thankfully witnessing an improvement in my health. Furthermore, I invested $4 in purchasing four hens, anticipating their multiplication for future benefits. Finally, $14 was designated for purchasing food, ensuring sustenance for my family. I am deeply grateful for the financial assistance from Give Directly, which has significantly enhanced the quality of my life."

"I am filled with joy and gratitude towards GiveDirectly for helping me achieve my dreams. I no longer rely on casual labor; instead, I wake up each morning to fetch water from Lake Baringo for my household and go to look after my farm and attend to my business as well. Thanks to GiveDirectly, I am freed from the exhausting work on others' farms. Without their assistance, my child wouldn't have had the opportunity to attend a national school. May God bless you abundantly, and may your organization continue to expand."

"A new job! Yes, I have for a long time been idle at home due to lack of money to start a job despite having skills in dress-making. This has brought about hardship in my household since my husband is just a casual laborer. I intend to use $300 of the transfers to start a dressmaking business in our nearby town. This will include buying a new sewing machine as well as the materials. Also, I plan to use another $300 to install water in my home since I currently buy water which sometimes becomes difficult due to financial challenges. On the other, I also plan to invest in livestock specifically 2 cows to act as my long-term project for the future. I estimate to spend $200 on this project. The remaining amount will help me to repair the roof of my house which is not in good condition. Hence, this is generally what receiving this money means to me."

"Livestock farming has long been the backbone of our community's economy, offering stability even in the face of harsh droughts. With the recent transfer, I saw an opportunity to invest in three goats, allocating $200 to purchase them. These goats hold promise for the future, as I plan to breed them and eventually sell their offspring for additional income. Recognizing the importance of improving our living conditions, I allocated $140 towards household essentials, including a bed, mattress, and blankets to ensure a more comfortable rest. Additionally, I invested in new clothing, including a pair of shoes, to upgrade my wardrobe. I spent $30 to acquire equipment for collecting and storing rainwater as a way of addressing the challenge of water storage. To sustain my family of three, I spent $60 on food, comprising maize and beans. I wisely saved the remaining $20, which serves as a buffer for replenishing household goods and purchasing additional food items. I am immensely grateful for the support from GiveDirectly, which has reignited hope and contributed to our improved livelihood, aligning with the aspirations of our community members."

"Due to the limited income from my local palm wine vending, I faced challenges in providing for my family and saving for both water connection and a house. This burden weighed heavily on me, but GiveDirectly lightened it with their transfer. Now, as the house construction progresses and we await approval for the water connection, my earnings comfortably cover our family's daily essentials. This brings us immense happiness, and we are deeply grateful. Soon, my wife will no longer need to trek long distances in search of water, freeing up her energy for more constructive activities that contribute to our family's well-being"

"After receiving my recent transfer, I utilized the $310 to establish a kitchen and a pit latrine. Previously, our cooking activities took place outdoors, leaving us missing meals during rainy seasons. However, the lack of proper sanitation facilities led to the discomfort of using the bush as a toilet, which was sometimes embarrassing.Out of the total amount received, $125 was allocated towards purchasing food. We depend on income we,I and my Husband generate from charcoal burning and selling firewood. Feeding our family of six has been challenging, particularly when market opportunities are limited.The remaining funds were directed towards acquiring petrol for a power generator essential for irrigating our nearly mature half-hectare bean farm. I prefer beans due to their tolerant to drought conditions and their lower water requirements.My gratitude towards GiveDirect for improving the quality of life I am living now."

"In my opinion, GD has been remarkably beneficial, providing generous support through their unconditional transfers. This assistance has allowed me to acquire land for my family, a prospect that would have been unattainable due to my financial constraints. I am grateful that we have been able to make a partial payment for the land, with plans to utilize the next transfer to settle the remaining amount. This support has alleviated the stress and uncertainty we faced before, especially concerning the possibility of being asked to leave the borrowed land where we currently reside. Our situation is unique, as we had to borrow temporarily after being displaced from our original homeland by the rising waters of Lake Baringo. I am truly appreciative, and the sense of relaxation and security now contrasts significantly with the challenges we previously encountered."

"I am setting my sights on a transformative project for my home: investing in a water piping system and purchasing a storage tank. The trek to the river is tedious. Currently, I rely on the kindness of neighbors having their water systems, a temporary solution that highlights the need for a more sustainable approach. Piping water to my homestead will secure a consistent water supply for my livestock, enhancing their well-being and productivity and enabling me to start kitchen gardening once I fence my land. This venture into gardening promises a dual benefit: it will provide my family with fresh produce while allowing us to be more self-sufficient. Having a reliable water source at home means freedom from the perennial water issues that have long plagued us. It's a step towards a significant improvement in our quality of life."

"I am a single mother of four and depends on subsistence farming. However, drought has been the major setback for my farming activity. Most of the time the family goes without food. I will use $500 to buy ten goats as an investment. I need to shift from crop farming to animal farming. Goats are resistant to drought. This investment will help me raise school fees for the four children once they join secondary school. I will also use $400 to install tap water at the compound. This will help me access water easily."

"Looking ahead to the coming years and beyond, I plan to embark on a tomato farming project. Inspired by the success of my neighbors who have found prosperity through irrigation, I see an opportunity to thrive in our area, given the accessibility to water for irrigation on my land. The prospect of contributing to my family's well-being by selling tomatoes brings a sense of fulfillment and a commitment to supporting my husband in our shared responsibilities. Additionally, my family has a long-term plan to purchase a piece of land outside our current area. This decision is driven by my observations of cultural practices in this region, particularly the prevalence of female genital mutilation (FGM). This cultural tradition is something I strongly oppose, recognizing the serious health risks associated with it, and I am determined not to let my daughter go through it. Therefore, relocating to a faraway place from here provides a safer and more culturally aligned environment for my family's future."