"I was working on a farm at the Perkerra Irrigation Scheme with my colleague when I overheard a conversation about receiving money from GiveDirectly. Curious, I quickly checked my phone and was surprised to find a message indicating that I had received money the previous day. I rarely check my messages, so I hadn't noticed it earlier. I felt a rush of happiness and excitement. I am very appreciative and thankful to GiveDirectly. Knowing that I had no food at home for my children, my first thought was to stock up on groceries for my family."

"Around 3 PM, while I was looking after my sheep at the Perkerra Irrigation Scheme, I received a notification message from M-Pesa. When I confirmed it was the money from GiveDirectly, I felt a wave of happiness. Knowing that some of my challenges would now be addressed was a great relief. The first thing that came to my mind was to buy a new mattress. For a long time, I had been sleeping on a small, old mattress that made my sleep uncomfortable and caused me to feel the hard wood of the bed frame. Now, I am very happy and sleep comfortably. I am deeply grateful to GiveDirectly for their help and support."

"I have a deep passion for farming, but it has been a real struggle lately. Here in Longewan Sub-location, irrigation is essential for farming success, yet acquiring the necessary inputs has become a major challenge for me. Recently, floods swept away my entire 6-acre maize crop, leaving me with nothing but charcoal burning as a means of earning a living.However, the market prices have been affected by the middlemen as the price of $6 a bag is a loss.Starting over seems impossible right now. Knowing that I will have to face months of hardship to secure food for myself is truly heart breaking, especially since I live alone."

"For the first transfer of KES 20,000 I intend to purchase food such as maize beans and other food products by using about KES 5000, I also intend to purchase fuel for irrigation and pay school fees for my seven children who are in various levels in school. For the second cash transfer I intend to purchase two cows at KES 40000. This will be my investment into the future. For the remaining KES 5000 I intend to purchase food for my family. For the third cash transfer I intend to invest KES 20000 into farming. I also intend to pay school fees for my children and purchase food for my family since it will be during the Christmas festive season."

"With old age catching up fast, farming has become too strenuous for me. It demands a lot of physical effort, especially with tasks like irrigation, which I simply do not have the energy for anymore. That is why I am seriously considering goat rearing as a more manageable option. Currently, I have three goats that I had to move to a friend's place due to flooding. I would love to expand my flock, but finances are tight. If I could get the resources to purchase more goats, it would be a great investment for my family of four."

"I'm facing a significant challenge in acquiring money to buy food for my family. Relying on charcoal burning yields insufficient income to cover the costs of food and other basic necessities. Additionally, my maize farm is struggling due to a lack of funds for fuel for machine used to irrigate it. I am unable to afford a gasoline generator for irrigation, so I am forced to lease one from other farmers, which adds to my financial burden."

"To improve our living conditions and uphold dignity, I will allocate $231 to construct a toilet, eliminating the need to use the bush. For ensuring a steady food supply, $269 will be invested in purchasing food, with a portion allocated for essential household items like beds, mattresses, chairs, and clothing. To secure a sustainable income for my family, I plan to cultivate my idle 1-acre land. This will involve investing $154 in farm inputs such as land tilling, bean seeds, and irrigation equipment. Additionally, I will allocate $192 to purchase 5 goats, which will provide milk and income from selling their offspring, supporting our future financial stability."

"I usually depend on farming as a source of income for my family because I have a large agricultural land but due to financial challenges to buy Generator and water pipes for irrigation iam not able to cultivate it. I am now depending on charcoal burning to fend for my family which is the biggest challenge iam facing because iam not able to see clearly due to the infection of prosopis smoke."

"Receiving this money is a dream come true for me because it signifies the opportunity to rebuild my life. After experiencing firsthand the devastating impact of floods, I am resolute in preventing such hardships in the future. My immediate plan is to use the funds to relocate to a safer area. Addressing food shortages is another priority, and I intend to invest in climate-smart agriculture by acquiring irrigation equipment, which will allow me to cultivate crops even during dry seasons. Any remaining funds will be allocated towards expanding my hotel business, contributing to a more secure future for both myself and my community."

"To enhance productivity on my farm, I plan to invest $385 in agricultural farming. This will cover expenses for HDPE pipes, seeds, fuel for irrigation, and fencing for security measures. Additionally, I aim to expand my poultry farming business by allocating $154 towards purchasing more chicks, feeds, and expanding their housing. This will generate income through the sale of eggs and chickens. To address food shortages, I will allocate $77 towards purchasing food for my family. Furthermore, $115 will be used to purchase essential furniture and household items to improve comfort at home. Lastly, I will allocate $115 to partially cover my college fees, ensuring uninterrupted continuation of my studies."