"I intend to purchase new construction materials such as poles, iron sheets, nails, and sisal twine ropes. With these materials in hand, I will begin constructing the new house on elevated ground, away from the waterway. I am delighted that the support from the transfer will assist me in reaching this goal, especially considering my modest income from raising livestock."

"We are currently in the process of completely renovating our house's roof as the existing iron sheets are old, rusty, and permeated with holes, causing rainwater to seep in during wet weather. Replacing the roof will alleviate the challenges of safeguarding our belongings from rain damage. Our primary aim is to ensure the successful completion of the roof repairs. Additionally, we intend to allocate funds toward covering our children's upcoming school fees, ensuring their uninterrupted and effective learning when school resumes next week. The financial support from the transfers has been instrumental in achieving most of our goals, for which we are genuinely grateful."

"I am undertaking a complete renovation of my old, deteriorating roof, riddled with numerous holes. Whenever it rains, I grapple with water seeping into the house and causing damage to my property. Using a significant portion of my previous transfer, I purchased 19 iron sheets, with additional contributions from my wife. Subsequently, I acquired 18 more sheets and a few, less than 10, to fulfill the required quantity. The total expenditure on iron sheets from my transfers amounted to $68. During the festive season, I allocated $34 for food purchases and celebrated with my family, including my grandchildren. This family gathering was delightful and served to strengthen our familial bonds. I am sincerely grateful for the financial support provided through the transfers."

"In the coming year and beyond, I have a new goal to finalize the construction of a fence around my piece of land. This serves the vital purpose of safeguarding my property from potential damage caused by stray livestock and other wild animals. Considering the prevalent drought in our region, my plan also involves acquiring a water tank to efficiently collect rainwater, reducing the need to purchase water from vendors and cutting costs. Reflecting on the past, I had raised goats, but I had to sell them to settle school fee arrears. Looking forward, I aim to purchase at least four sheep in the future. Recognizing their fast growth and reproductive capabilities, I anticipate that they will provide a sustainable source of income through breeding and multiplication."

"I allocated a significant portion of $38 from my transfers to procure food and partake in festivities with my family of six during the holiday season, fostering joy and unity within our household. The moments spent together were truly gratifying. In addition, I invested nearly $54 in replenishing my business stock, focusing on the sale of silver cyprinid. I am delighted by the success of my business, as it enables me to provide for my family's requirements. Furthermore, I set aside $10 within the savings group "Chama." The primary purpose of this saving is to acquire new iron sheets and repair the deteriorating roof of my residence. The current iron sheets are old, rusted, and riddled with holes, allowing water to seep into the house during rainfall. As the sole provider for my family, given my elderly husband's inability to work, I am immensely grateful for the financial assistance, which greatly aids me in meeting our needs."

"Receiving the monthly cash transfer was a game-changer for me and my five children. I directed $13.6 towards installing a water source near our home; it broke my heart seeing my daughter struggle with the distant water point. Another $210 went into completing our one-bedroom house, finally providing a secure shelter for my family. Wanting to secure a future asset, I invested in a goat with part of the money. The education of my eldest son was paramount, so $60 was spent on his Form One schooling expenses. The remaining funds were utilized for necessities—food and clothing. As a single parent working as a watchman, earning a meager $70 per month, life had been a constant struggle. I could only utilize our house during the day, as my children were away, and my brother's wife, whom I had taken in, was also absent. Now, with the extra support, our living conditions have significantly improved, and I can finally breathe a sigh of relief."

"In the upcoming year, my primary goal is to secure a fresh water tap for my household. My health has taken a toll, and I find myself unable to walk straight, constantly bent due to an underlying health condition intensified by years of doing casual farm labor to make ends meet. The physical strain from these laborious tasks has significantly impacted my well-being. The neighborhood taps, once easily accessible, now seem like distant wells, especially given my health limitations. Having a fresh water tap at home would not only alleviate the physical strain of fetching water but also ensure a more sanitary and convenient living environment. As I look forward to the coming year, my hope is to improve my health and make everyday tasks more manageable, starting with this essential step towards securing access to clean water."

"I do not engage in any work to support my family, and my son provides for us by raising livestock. I believe that raising goats is something I can do, and I'm happy that the funds I get help me do that. I mostly use the transfers to buy goats, which cost $30 each. Right now, I have three goats. I plan to raise them and let them reproduce. In the future, when they grow up, I can sell them to get more goats and help my family. Also, sometimes when I receive the funds, I decide what to do with the money based on what I need urgently. Recently, I spent $14 on clothes for myself because I didn't have enough. The rest of the money went to buy utensils for the house, like water storage jerrycans, plates, and cups. This was to upgrade and replace the old ones, most of which had broken from repetitive use."

"Upon receiving $200 from GiveDirectly, we made several crucial purchases to improve our home. Initially, we only had one plastic chair, making it challenging for visitors and even our family to find seating. As the husband, I sat on the lone chair, while my wife perched on a broken container, and our two children sat on the floor. With the funds, we bought three additional plastic chairs at $18. We invested $23 in new utensils since the ones we owned were either broken or had lost their original colors due to age. we also purchased three water containers at $4.5. Fetching water from the river had been a daily chore, often relying on borrowed containers from our neighbors. We also spent $45 on clothes. Our worn-out clothes and shoes were long overdue for replacement. Additionally, we invested $5 in a curtain since our old one was torn, allowing unwanted eyes to peep into our home. We bought a phone for $43.25 to provide my wife with a means to stay connected while I was away. This saved us from sharing a single phone. We allocated $10 to assist my brother who was in need. With our income relying on sporadic jobs earning us $4 per day and charcoal burning, putting food on the table was a problem and from the support, we dedicated $25.25 to ensure our family had food. To address any unforeseen needs we set aside $20 as savings. The support made a profound difference in our lives."

"Despite having numerous tasks related to construction and other household matters, my determination is to focus on farming, especially with the acquisition of a new piece of land. I am optimistic about the potential for a better harvest, particularly if the rains are favorable. The challenge of insufficient rain has impacted past farming efforts, leading to less successful outcomes. To address this, I am strategically farming closer to streams, ensuring a more reliable water source during short rains. Additionally, I plan to implement inter-cropping practices, combining long-season crops with short-season crops. This approach not only optimizes land utilization but also enhances the chances of a successful harvest. Despite the many responsibilities, my commitment to effective farming practices remains a priority for sustainable household well-being."