"It would be a great joy if we could construct a more spacious iron-roofed house to replace the leaking, grass-thatched one we live in. The house is also too small to accommodate my large family which consists of 9 children, 7 of whom are still under our care. It is a nightmare whenever it rains because the house leaks so we have to sit in strategic places, and with the looming El Nino rains, it is paramount that we have a better house as soon as possible. Besides the physical problems we face, we also have to endure the shame of sleeping in the same room with our children who are old enough to have a separate room. Worst of all is that those who are old enough have to sleep at a neighbour's house leaving them with very little supervision. Having a more decent and a much bigger house to accommodate all of us would make me very happy. A bonus would be being able to harvest rain water for domestic use ."

"Currently, I'm facing a lot of challenges in my life. However, one of the greatest challenges that is making my life quite difficult is the lack of money and work to get enough money to meet all my needs. I solely depend on casual labor which includes, collecting firewood and fetching water for my neighbors. This kind of work gives me about $3 a week which is not enough for all the needs including food. This makes my life very challenging and saddening especially when I have to borrow food and assistance from my neighbours and relatives."

"The prolonged drought is the main challenge that I feel is making my life difficult. During the planting season, I managed to sell my goats and planted one hectare of maize. However, I only got 90 KGS of maize. This is so because of the lack of rain and enough water for irrigation. This makes my life difficult because I know that in the next four months, I won't have food for my family which stresses me a lot."

"Upon receiving the third transfer, I made a significant purchase that had been a long-awaited dream: a water storage tank. This 3000-litre tank, costing $170, has been on my wish list for a while, but financial constraints held me back. My primary source of income is farming, and our region has been grappling with rainfall shortages due to climate change affecting our farm production. The tank has been a true lifesaver, sparing me the arduous journey of fetching water from distant sources since the rivers frequently run dry due to the scorching weather conditions, making access to water a daily challenge. Thanks to the tank, my neighbors and I can now collectively purchase water from water trucks, costing $30 for 7,000 litres, and use it for various needs. Furthermore, I expanded my goat herd by adding four more goats, utilizing $200 from the transfer. Goats are our main source of income generation, as they thrive and reproduce rapidly in our region, fetching favourable prices in the market. This investment ensures our financial stability and prospects. Lastly, I secured my youngest son's college education with the funds by paying his tuition fee of $80. This truly warms my heart, knowing that with the school fees settled, he can fully concentrate on his studies, increasing the likelihood of academic success. His dreams and aspirations are now within reach, thanks to the support from GD."

"Having witnessed and personally experienced the positive impact of GiveDirectly since its inception, I can attest to the transformative power of its support. By providing support in the form of cash, they enabled us to address various urgent needs, from paying for school fees to acquiring livestock and even improving our living conditions, such as connecting piped water to my doorstep. What stood out was the unbiased and fair manner in which the support was provided; there was no need for us to struggle or pay back anything. GiveDirectly's commitment to delivering aid impartially is commendable. In my opinion, they should extend their exemplary work to new locations, ensuring that people everywhere receive the support they need, ultimately changing their lives for the better. The organization's approach has proven effective, and expanding it to more communities would undoubtedly make a meaningful difference."

"My primary focus is on the ongoing project of caring for my goats. I've invested time and effort into nurturing these animals, and I believe that with continued dedication and proper management, I can expand my goat herd significantly. Each day, I check on their well-being, ensuring they have ample food, clean water, and a safe environment. My hope is that over time, the number of goats in my care will multiply, not only providing me with a sustainable source of income but also contributing to the betterment of my family's livelihood."

"Water shortage is the current challenge I am currently facing in life. The village has had a drought that has dried up water in the nearby waterpan. I used to use 30 minutes to and from the nearby water pan but currently I use 3hrs to and from the current water pan . This has affected my health because walking for along distance with a plastic of water on the head is tedious. I have headache almost every day when I go fetch water."

"The greatest challenge that we are facing is the lack of food. This year we planted 2 hectares of maize which failed due to lack of rain and water for irrigation. Since we did not have money for cultivation we borrowed a lone from the Sacco which we owe till today. This has made life very difficult because, in addition to lacking food, we owe a lot of money. We feel life is becoming very difficult for us."

"In the coming years, my primary focus will be on agriculture. I intend to lease land situated near a river, taking advantage of its water supply for irrigation, given the unpredictability of our rainfall. My plan is to cultivate both maize and millet, with the goal of meeting our domestic food needs and generating income through commercial sales. This agricultural venture will not only ensure that my family has an ample food supply but also enable me to comfortably afford my children's school fees."

"Currently, my primary focus is directed towards the construction of a new house. The existing house my family occupies is in a dilapidated condition. The roof leaks, allowing rainwater to seep inside and dampen the interior space. Additionally, this structure serves a dual purpose as both a living area and a kitchen. I have held the goal of securing a suitable and comfortable house for my family for quite some time. Unfortunately, my child's illness disrupted this plan, as a substantial portion of the cash transfers had to be allocated towards covering his medical expenses. Furthermore, to provide adequate care for my son during his illness, I had to temporarily suspend my palm wine-selling business. This, in turn, placed additional constraints on my sources of income. However, I am grateful that my son's health has been steadily improving, and I'm now determined to resume my efforts to acquire the necessary building materials. At present, I have managed to acquire eight iron sheets, but I need at least 22 more to complete the construction, in addition to obtaining the required building poles."