"The GiveDirectly cash transfers have come at a pivotal moment for my family, as we have been grappling with financial struggles to meet our daily needs. Currently, we have no investments to rely on. Our plan is to set aside KES 10,000 from the first transfer to venture into poultry farming by expanding our chicken coop and purchasing more chickens. The remaining funds will be used to stock up on food and buy essential household items. Additionally, we aim to begin livestock farming, expand our one-room house as our children grow, and invest in a water tank for our family."

"Upon receiving $450 from GiveDirectly, I was filled with happiness and gratitude because they sent the transfer without delay, allowing me to move forward with my plans. I used $360 to buy a cow, as I previously didn't have one. This will help me cut down on the cost of buying milk, which will be very beneficial for my family in the long run. With $73, I invested in farming by purchasing bean seeds that I had already planted on one acre of land. This amount also allowed me to service my water pump, which I will use for irrigation. Thanks to GiveDirectly, I can get back into farming, and with irrigation, I know this will be a sustainable way to provide for my family. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to improve my livelihood."

"I live around Lake Baringo, a place that boasts an abundance of water. However, despite the lake's size and beauty, I find myself deeply concerned about the safety of its water for drinking. The high fluoride levels present in the lake can lead to serious health issues, including browning of the teeth and weakening of bones. I have seen the effects of this firsthand, and the thought of my children experiencing the same problems fills me with fear. As a parent, I feel a strong responsibility to protect their health and well-being, which is why I have made the decision to purchase water from Marigat town instead. It is a tough choice, especially knowing that the water is not just a convenience but a vital necessity for their daily lives."

"When I received the unconditional cash transfer, I knew I had to invest wisely to improve my family's situation. I traveled to Marigat town and purchased a generator for $210. This generator is crucial for pumping water from the Molo River to my farm, where I planted vegetables and maize. The floods had previously destroyed my land and nearly ripened maize, so I saw this investment as a way to restart my farming and ensure we have enough food at home. I spent $190 on land preparation, seeds, and labor for planting. After losing everything to the floods, I understood the importance of taking risks in farming again. It was difficult to see our home without food, and I believed that with hard work and determination, we could rebuild our lives. My husband and I used to rely on casual jobs and charcoal burning to make ends meet, which was not sustainable for our family, especially with one child to care for. With the remaining $50, I purchased food for my family. It felt good to finally have food at home after struggling for so long. This cash transfer has not only provided me with the resources to start again but also given me hope for a better future. I am grateful for the support that allows me to focus on farming and providing for my family without the stress of hunger."

"My plan is to continue with agriculture, focusing on both crop and poultry farming, but I will mainly concentrate on chickens. I want to purchase an incubator so I can raise my own chicks instead of buying them. I also plan to supply eggs and chicks to people in the village because I know this project can make me rich in the near future. Additionally, when I have visitors, I will slaughter chickens for them, and their water will also serve as manure for my farms. I also aim to buy a water tank so my chicks will have enough water to drink at home. The income I earn from poultry will be used to plant tomatoes, which can provide high returns. I am really grateful to GiveDirectly for helping me improve my life, especially after the floods affected our agricultural lands."

"In the coming years, my main focus is to purchase a generator to support my farming activities by pumping water to my farm. Farming is where I see my future, and having a reliable source of water will help me grow crops throughout the year, regardless of the season. Furthermore, I plan to complete the construction of my house, as living comfortably is a top priority for my family and me. The house I’m building will provide a safer and more stable environment, something I’ve been striving for since the floods damaged our old home. Once I achieve these goals, I believe I’ll be in a better position to support my children and secure our future. These plans give me hope, and I’m determined to work hard to make them a reality."

"As I mentioned earlier, I am deeply involved in agribusiness, and I am currently focused on digging a small water pan on my farm which will enable me to collect rainwater during the rainy season that will be of great use for agriculture during the dry season. I am still in the process of completing this project, but I remain optimistic about its success as I know it will be very important for my farming activities. Looking ahead to this year and beyond, I plan to continue to invest a portion of my transfers into my farm. I intend to purchase quality inputs such as seeds, pesticides, and manure, which will help me maximize my harvests. With these resources, I aim to grow watermelons, pumpkins, and maize crops that thrive in our region where I will sell the surplus and earn some income. The proceeds from selling these crops will allow me to support my family's needs while also setting aside some produce for family our consumption. I am genuinely excited about this project and hopeful that the rains will come, enabling my plans to come to fruition."

"I have six children in school, and their education is my top priority. Recently, I used $59 from my transfers from GiveDirectly to pay their school fees, which was crucial in ensuring they would not be sent home due to unpaid fees. Also, our region is currently faced with severe drought and hunger, which has made it difficult for us to access basic necessities such as water and food from our farms. To ensure my family did not go hungry, I spent another $33 of my transfers on food, as we had none left. In addition to these immediate needs, I am also focused on building a sustainable future. I saved the remaining $10 in our local savings group, where members pool their resources to support one another. Once I receive my pooled funds, I plan to use the funds to buy chickens and goats. I envision them multiplying over time, providing us with a reliable source of income. My goal is to sell some of the animals and invest the profits back into buying more chicken and goats with the aim of selling them in the future."

"Our region has been facing a prolonged dry season, leading to drought and hunger. Because of this, we have been forced to buy food from stores, so I used $72 of my recent transfers to purchase food and water for my family to ensure we do not go hungry. Additionally, my house is in a very poor state and is on the verge of collapsing, as it is leaning to one side. My goal is to build a new house for my family so that we can have a safe and comfortable place to live. I spent $20 on building materials, and I am hopeful that soon I will have enough to start constructing a new two-roomed house. Lastly, I used the remaining $10 to pay school fees for my grandson, whom I live with, to make sure he stays in school and isn’t sent home due to unpaid fees. I am incredibly grateful for this support, as it gives me hope that I can achieve my dream of building a new home."

"We are currently facing a prolonged period of drought in our region. This has affected our lives negatively owing to the fact that we are unable to plant any crop in our farms. Our main source of water is the lake which is also far and we cannot do any meaningful agricultural activity through irrigation."