"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."

"In the coming year and beyond, I am determined to invest in a project that will generate sustainable income once the transfers come to an end. This project will help me escape the difficult life we’ve lived in the past. I’m glad that I’ve been using part of my transfers to acquire goats—so far, I’ve managed to get seven, which is a good start. Additionally, I’ve been using the transfers to pay my children’s school fees, allowing them to focus on their studies without interruptions. I’m very grateful to GiveDirectly for this opportunity. As the five years of support will soon come to an end, my priority is to invest in my children’s education and create an income source that will allow me to support my family with ease. By investing in goats, I’ll be able to sell some when needed to pay school fees and buy food for my family once the transfers stop. I don’t want to return to the poverty we faced before GiveDirectly’s support, so I’m committed to using these transfers wisely to secure our financial future."

"My plan for the coming years is to focus on farming, particularly planting maize, beans, and vegetables. I believe that by doing this, I can generate enough income to pay school fees for my children and ensure they get a good education. Along with farming, I also want to open a small business selling foodstuffs in my village. This way, I can have an additional source of income and provide for my family. I hope that with these efforts, I will be able to improve our living standards and give my children a better future. Farming and the business will help us become more stable financially and self-sufficient."

"I am determined to focus on farming in the coming years and open a business once I start earning from my crops. By investing my time and energy into agriculture, I believe I can provide for my family and create a stable income. Furthermore, I have plans to continue my education, which I had to pause due to lack of school fees. Education is important to me, and I want to improve my knowledge and skills for a better future. I hope that with my farming success and new business, I can pay for my education and set a good example for my child. Ultimately, my goal is to build a better life for my family and achieve my dreams."

"In the coming years, my main goal is to focus on farming, especially growing food crops like maize. This will not only provide food for my family but also generate income when I sell the surplus. I plan to implement crop rotation by planting vegetables after harvesting maize, which will help improve the soil and increase my yields. Furthermore, I want to invest in better seeds and farming tools to enhance my productivity. By diversifying my crops, I can ensure that I have a steady supply of food throughout the year. Overall, I am excited about the future and believe that with hard work and dedication, I can build a more secure and prosperous life for my family."

"I have a plan to buy a piece of land to live on because where I currently reside floods a lot, and I worry about the damage it might cause when it rains. When I receive my maize proceeds in December, I will sell them to purchase a higher plot of land that is away from the floods. This new location will provide my family with a safer environment. I believe this is a crucial step toward securing our future and ensuring my children's well-being. Additionally, I plan to start farming on this new land, which will help us meet our basic needs and generate more income. Overall, I am determined to create a stable and safe home for my family, free from the threat of floods."

"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."

"The floods completely swept away my home, leaving us living in tents and struggling to survive. All my belongings, including my house, five goats, and six chickens, were destroyed. So, when I received the cash transfer, I knew I had to rebuild. I spent $300 to construct a room with iron sheets and used $30 to build another room made of grass and mud walls. I also spent $50 to construct a proper toilet since we had been using the bushes for a long time. These changes have made a huge difference for my family, and we now feel more secure and comfortable in our new home.In addition to rebuilding, I used $70 to pay school fees for my children. Education is important to me, and despite the hardships, I want to ensure my kids have a better future. My husband is a fisherman, and I work casual jobs, which together used to be enough for basic needs, but the floods took everything, making life difficult. Now, with the help from GiveDirectly, I can focus more on my children’s education without worrying as much about school fees. Although life was hard after the disaster, we are finally recovering, and I am grateful for the improvements. My family of eight now has a safe place to live, and we no longer have to rely on temporary shelters. We feel hopeful for the future, and I can confidently say that our lives have changed for the better."

"GiveDirectly did a great job from the beginning by introducing themselves clearly during the barazas and educating us well about the cash transfer program. I appreciated how they explained everything in a simple way that we could all understand. One thing that stood out to me is that they are independent and not involved in politics, which made us trust them more. They were also very fair in the process, enrolling everyone in the village without discrimination. I have not noticed any weaknesses in how they handled things; everything was done perfectly. Overall, I am satisfied with their work and how they have supported us."

"Life was challenging after the floods destroyed our homes, forcing us to relocate temporarily. The grass-thatched house I lived in became even more difficult to manage, leaking every time it rained and worsening due to the damage from the floods. I decided to use $350 of the cash transfer to purchase building materials for a new house. Although I haven’t completed the construction yet, it’s a relief knowing that I’m working toward a better, safer home for my family. Having a more secure place to live has been a priority, especially after the hardship we went through. This decision felt like the best step toward rebuilding our lives.With the remaining money, I paid my child's school fees. Thankfully, my child received a sponsorship, which has eased the financial burden of education. As a mother of three, and with no husband to assist, I’ve relied on the support of my parents, but it hasn't been easy. However, having this help has allowed me to focus on other pressing needs, like improving our living conditions, without the constant worry of paying for school fees. Looking back, life after the floods seemed bleak, but the assistance from GiveDirectly has given me hope. We are slowly seeing improvement in our lives, and I feel optimistic about what the future holds. The support we received has brought relief and allowed us to make meaningful progress, and for that, I am incredibly grateful."