"Life on my side has not been easy. Since 2020, I have been suffering from arthritis and stomach ulcers, which have made me feel unwell and unable to do any heavy work. Therefore, fetching water from long distances has been a problem for me. After receiving my last transfer, I invested $175 to purchase a water tank so that I could harvest rainwater or refill my tank and have sufficient water at my homestead. However, after finishing that part of the water, I also used $210 to purchase fencing materials to fence my farm so that it would be safe from being entered and destroyed by other people's livestock. This way, whenever I want to go anywhere, I do not have to worry that my farm will be destroyed. I have planted papaya, mangoes, and vegetables in that farm, although the vegetables were swept away by floods, at least the mangoes and papayas have remained safe. With the remaining $70, I used it to purchase enough food. Previously, I was depending on casual jobs such as burning charcoal, or we would use my husband's pension after he retired from being a police officer. Now, he is just at home, and he is also very old. Our children are all married, but I have two of my grandchildren at home whom I am taking care of. I really appreciate GiveDirectly for their help. At least my life has improved compared to the past when I suffered a lot to achieve some of the things that I wanted. I am hoping my future will be better."

"The timing of the third transfer could not have been better, as it coincided with the planting season when I had not yet prepared my land. I felt anxious because the Kenya Seed Company, which had subcontracted us to farm maize seeds, had strict timelines to follow. I was on the verge of borrowing a loan when the money from GiveDirectly arrived. I used $75 to till the land and plant the seeds. This opportunity is close to my heart because the Kenya Seed Company provides a ready market for our harvest. This income helps me pay for my child's secondary school education, which costs around $600 yearly. This direct payment ensures that my child can focus on their studies without any disruptions. I allocated $175 to purchase a 2500L water tank, which has been a significant relief for our household. It means we no longer have to walk for more than two kilometres or wake up in the early hours to fetch water before it runs dry as the water source was not sufficient for the whole community. Additionally, I spent $50 on buying extra clothes for my children, ensuring they have enough to wear and feel good about themselves. Seeing them well-dressed makes me proud as a parent. I used the remaining amount to support my spouse, who does irregular jobs at a nearby spa resort. His monthly pay is only $70, which is not enough to support our family of five. By providing enough food for the family, I aim to relieve him from the stress of seeking additional sources of income."

"After learning about GiveDirectly, I found it really easy to understand. We're actually really happy about their culture of helping people willingly and changing the lives of poor people. Because of them, my life has gotten a lot better. Now, I have a water tank, something I've always wanted but couldn't afford. I hope wherever they go, they're welcomed warmly."

"Working as a herb doctor, the income I make is mostly enough for providing basic needs like school fees and food for my wife and two children. There is nothing much I could do with the earnings beyond the essentials. It is due to this reason that I have not been able to install a water tank, an idea that was born from the water scarcity in my region. Having the water tank will mean that I can harvest and store rainwater for a long period. My goal is to install an underground tank with a capacity of at least 5000 liters."

"Receiving $450 from GiveDirectly was a turning point for me. I decided to invest all of it in buying a 5000-liter water tank. Before, getting clean water was a real struggle. I had to walk over 5 kilometers just to fetch water. But now, with two water tanks in place, collecting rainwater has become our main source. Whenever the tanks run low, I simply refill them. This change has brought so much comfort into my life, especially considering my old age. I no longer have to endure long walks for water, and as a result, my health has improved. Thanks to GiveDirectly, I'm living with less stress, knowing that clean water is readily available right at my doorstep."

"When I receive my transfers, I am eager to invest in fencing my 1/8 acre plot for kitchen gardening. Since I already rear goats, obtaining manure will not be an issue, as I plan to utilize their droppings for fertilizer. I will spend $130 for this purpose, alongside $300 for a water tank to store irrigation water. Additionally, I intend to spend $400 on expanding my poultry house, as I am keen on scaling up poultry farming. It is gratifying to contribute to our household income, supporting my husband, who serves as an administrative police officer. This investment aligns with our goal of securing our financial future through diversified farming activities as well as improving the food security for the family of seven."

"I have to device other ways to provide for my family now that I have been advised not to engage heavy duties for the sake of my health. I will budget KES 20000 to open a kiosk in the village. To create time for my children for their studies during the evening hours, I will use KES 40000 to buy a plastic water tank for my family. This will save them from fetching water for the family when they come home from school in the evening. My dream of poultry farming will not be left out when I receive the transfers. I will plan KES 5000 to establish poultry farming. This will bring back my happiness of supporting my husband to provide for the family. I will also consider taking my three children to private school, this will help them access quality education."

"GiveDirectly has done something great for me by giving me money without any rules. My life has changed a lot. I bought a water tank with the money, and I'm very happy and excited because now I have water at home. Before, getting water was hard because we had to go far to find it.When you go to other villages, please tell people to invest their money wisely so that they'll have something to be happy about in the future. They should remember GiveDirectly for helping them like it helped me."

"I have always desired to purchase a water tank for harvesting and storing water. Water scarcity is a significant challenge in our area, often requiring us to travel long distances and wait in lengthy queues at the borehole, which serves a large community. Sometimes, I have to buy water, which is costly at $0.4 for a 20-liter jerrycan. Being dependent on my children for financial support due to my old age, this expense adds strain to our finances. However, I added $170 from the second transfer to my savings from the women's table banking group that I am in. This enabled me to buy a 3000-litre water tank. Having it on my compound brings immense relief as it eases the burden of fetching water, and I can now access water from a cheaper source; water bowser truck, reducing our expenses significantly. Additionally, I have fenced my half-acre land where I have planted mango fruits. Livestock encroachment has been a persistent threat, causing damage and reducing production. Using $150, I bought posts and two barbed wires, with plans to complete the fencing soon. This will safeguard my fruits and create an opportunity to cultivate vegetables for our domestic use. Furthermore, I used $80 in acquiring one Dorper sheep to add to the two I previously purchased. These sheep are low-maintenance and reproduce faster, providing a potential source of income through the sale of their offspring.I spent the remaining $50 to purchase food to ensure that my family of four does not go hungry."

"We fetch water from the canals of river perkera which is not safe and healthy for domestic use. This nudges me to prioritize a plastic water tank worth KES 35000. Our area is conducive and suitable for livestock keeping, I will invest KES 50000 to purchase a cow and five goats."