"As a pastor, my monthly income is limited to just $70, which poses a challenge in providing for my large family of nine, especially with my husband also unemployed. I spent $200 on purchasing food for the family, ensuring that they had an adequate supply that could sustain them for a long time. My profession also requires effective communication, mainly with my congregation. To enhance this aspect, I recognized the need to acquire a phone that would allow me to access platforms like WhatsApp, which serves as a vital channel for church information. I bought the phone on a higher purchase, utilizing $35 from the transfer for the initial payment. Moreover, I spent $125 on two plastic tables and new utensils, a decision that not only elevates our household standards but also aligns with the expectations of my profession, as this eliminates the discomfort of receiving guests with worn-out items, contributing to a more welcoming environment. Additionally, I directed $60 towards settling a food debt loan, to fulfill my commitment and foster positive relations with the shop owner. Lastly, I utilized the remaining funds to purchase a 1000-litre water storage tank, addressing the challenge of water scarcity in our area due to rationing. This strategic investment ensures a reliable supply of water for our household needs, considering that tap water is only available on a limited basis."

"Every night, as I stand vigilant outside the health center, I feel the weight of my family's needs pressing upon me. The meager wage I earn as a watchman is not enough to provide for them comfortably. A dream has taken root in my heart, nurtured by the stars that watch over me during those quiet hours. My aspirations are simple yet significant; with the means to do so, I envision purchasing water tanks for storing this precious resource. The aridness of our region has created a dire need for water, and by meeting this need, I can bring relief to both my community and my kin. By selling water and utilizing it for irrigation, I can break free from the limitations of my current role and ensure my family's comfort. As I stand guard through the night, I hold onto the hope that this dream until it becomes a reality."

"Financial constraints are the greatest challenge. When my husband passed on, I was left raising my two children alone. I do farming to earn a living but the proceeds are not consistent due to the unavailability of water. This has made it difficult to pay school fees for my children and provide other basic needs like food and medication."

"The drought has made food access a challenge for our family. The transfer will be an immense help since we can buy food. We plan to buy maize and other household items, which will cost about $150. It can sustain us for about two months. We also have children in school, we plan to use our last transfer and the second for their education. That's about $600. I have a daughter in secondary school, and son who will join secondary school early next year. The last transfer will assist in sending him to school. It means a better future for our children, education changes lives. Additionally, our house is in a bad state. It's dusty and can bring health conditions. We plan to cement the floor. It will cost at most $100. This will improve our living and sleeping environment. Lastly, due to the distance covered to fetch water. We plan to harvest rain water or buy water from vendors for storage. This means we need a water tank, we'll buy a 5000 liters capacity tank. It will cost approximately $350. This should ease our water burden."

"In the years ahead and beyond, my focus will be dedicated to mango farming, inspired by the evident profitability from observing my neighbor's success. I am determined to expand my efforts by planting more seedlings, with the goal of eventually reaching a total of 2000 mango trees. To ensure their optimal growth, I will ensure that they get ample water and fertilizer. I am setting a five-year timeline for the trees to mature and begin bearing fruit. This endeavor holds immense potential as a substantial source of income for my family. The anticipated proceeds from the mango harvests will play a pivotal role in safeguarding my children's education and securing their future."

"The impact of the transfers I received has been deeply personal and far-reaching. These funds have enabled me to accomplish several significant milestones that have transformed both my individual circumstances and the community around me. Personally, I was able to fulfill cultural and family obligations by paying dowry. This step solidified important relationships within my family and community. Additionally, I used the transfers to build a home, providing a safe and comfortable space for my family. This achievement represents a substantial improvement in our living conditions and overall well-being. Education, too, became more accessible as I used the transfers to pay school fees. Ensuring that my children have access to education is a priority, and the transfers have lightened the financial burden, enabling me to invest in their future. Beyond my individual experiences, the impact of the transfers has reverberated throughout my community. A notable change has occurred in the struggle for access to clean water. People in the community, have utilized their funds to purchase water pipes, eliminating the arduous task of traveling long distances to fetch water. This improvement in basic infrastructure has reduced the physical burden and positively impacted the health and overall quality of life for everyone involved, the transfers have created a positive ripple effect, resulting in improved living conditions, enhanced opportunities for us and the entire community."

"In the coming year and beyond, my focus will continue to be on goat farming. My goal is to ensure that the goats receive ample food and water to facilitate their swift reproduction. By ensuring optimal conditions for their growth and breeding, I anticipate a higher rate of offspring production. The growth of the goat population through successful reproduction will eventually result in a surplus of animals available for sale. These sales can act as a reliable source of income, offering us a consistent and sustainable means of meeting our various needs over time."

"Three years ago, we invested in a one-acre plot of land located in Kaptombes. However, there remained an outstanding balance of $450 on the payment. With the recent arrival of the third transfer, we strategically decided to allocate $300 from it to reduce the remaining debt. This decision was driven by the landowner's requirement that the debt be settled before we could begin farming on the land. Despite the small amount, I consider this a step forward, and I am satisfied that we are getting closer to paying off the debt. This particular piece of land holds considerable promise due to its proximity to a river. This geographical advantage enables us to engage in irrigation farming, a significant improvement over our current farming location, plagued by salty water that hampers crop growth. Utilizing the remaining portion of the transfer, I procured food for my family of six. Given our dependence on farming as our primary income source, which often falls short of covering various expenses such as school fees and other responsibilities, having an adequate food supply is paramount. Ensuring that young children receive consistent meals is of the utmost importance."

"The money provided a much-needed relief for us. I allocated a substantial sum of $70 to purchase water pipes, aiming to connect water to my home from pipes situated 10 kilometers away. The primary objective behind this initiative is to ensure a sufficient water supply for irrigation purposes, both for domestic and commercial cultivation of vegetables and fruits. Given the frequent scarcity of rainfall in our area, this step holds great significance. Although the project is currently in progress, I'm pleased by the anticipation of having a reliable income source soon. Additionally, I attended to the well-being of my family of three by spending $450 on food to sustain us. Furthermore, I allocated $650 to acquire clothing and utensils, supplementing what we already had. This not only enhances our appearance but also ensures we have enough utensils for potential visitors. With the remaining funds, I responsibly settled a food debt that I owed to a nearby shop. This act aligns with my commitment to fulfilling my obligations and maintaining a sense of responsibility within the community."

"I have a family of four members with two being children. My husband does casual jobs at Kilifi and I am just a house wife. He makes $100 per month which caters for food only. The compound I live lacks a latrine so people use forest as their defication area. This is not safe for the family since we get water from waterpans. I will use $300 to build a latrine so as to maintain the required hygiene . I will also use $700 for my husband to start a food kiosk business at Kilifi where he is now working. We intend to make a profit of approximately $10 per day. This will help us raise school fees for the two children once they join primary and secondary school."