"Financial constraint is the biggest challenge am currently facing.I have been a fish trader for the past 15 years in Kampi samaki near lake Baringo.Reaping good returns from this work has been a challenge because of the financial inability to acquire personal fishing nets.Having 10 fishing nets means I can always have an average of 600 fishes per day which is equivalent to KES 18000.Unfortunately ,I have had to cope up with an income of KES 600 per day from selling 30 pieces of fish borrowed from those owning the nets . Currently am hoping that this issue of lack of money comes to an end so that I can achieve my desired goals."

"Currently, I'm facing a lot of challenges, since 2019 after I got into a road accident while working as a truck driver. This has really affected my life greatly since I'm unable to do any heavy work. This has made my life difficult since I don't have money to sustain myself which makes my life really difficult."

"Fishing is our main source of livelihood, it's now becoming difficult to do it. Crocodiles can destroy our fishing nets or we may not catch enough fish to sell. My husband mainly does the fishing in the lake, while I do some value addition by frying. When he's not able to catch enough, it means no income for the family. This will lead to us not providing for our children. It affects our ability to pay fees, buy clothes or even buy food."

"Living in a shanty in the last thing I could wish for someone to live in. In the last 4 months, our house got fire through an electric fault which razed the entire house. All our clothes including documents we not spared either. Lucky enough, no one was injured during the incident because no one was at home by then. This forced us to shift in a make shift house which is not adequate and not good for human to live in. Living in this make shift is the greatest challenge we are currently facing."

"Being an arid area, my land is rocky and unproductive for agricultural purposes. The extreme heat has caused widespread food insecurity in the area. As a result, my family and I hardly have a decent meal and some of my children had to drop out of school because of lack of finances. Currently, I only take advantage of my proximity to Lake Baringo where I can catch a few fishes to eat and on a good day, make about $1 from selling a few pieces. This is only enough for me to live from hand to mouth."

"I am currently in the process of renovating my house, and I’m happy to share that the floors are already complete. Now, I am focusing on reinforcing the walls to make them stronger and more durable. My plan for this coming year and beyond is to continue using a portion of my transfers to gradually purchase building materials, ensuring that I can achieve my dream of having a solid and lasting home. In addition to the renovations, I also intend to save a portion of my transfers to buy more goats. My hope is that these goats will multiply and increase in number and value, providing me with a reliable source of income once this program comes to an end. I am truly grateful for the cash support that GiveDirectly provides, and I pray that my dreams of having a durable house and a thriving herd of livestock come true."

"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."

"As I mentioned earlier, my house needed reinforcement to withstand the harsh weather conditions we face in our region, including strong winds. I am currently in the process of construction, and my plans for this year and beyond is to continue using a portion of my transfers to ensure my family has a strong and lasting home. I want to create a safe environment where we won’t have to worry about renovations or the possibility of the house collapsing in the future. In addition to my home improvement plans, I also want to save another portion of my transfers in our local savings group. My goal is to buy more goats, hoping they will multiply over time. I envision trading some of them for female cows, which can also increase in number and provide us with even more opportunities for income. Ultimately, I plan to sell some of the cows and goats and save the proceeds in my bank account. This will give me a financial cushion for when I need it most, particularly for my children’s education and to invest in my livestock-selling business. I am incredibly grateful for this support, as it enables me to pursue my dreams for my family and secure a better future for us all."

"Now that my two children are in their final year of secondary school and preparing for their final exams, I am relieved to know that I can redirect my transfers to other opportunities since I am getting a little break from paying school fees. In the coming year and beyond, I plan to use a portion of my transfers to buy goats, hoping they will multiply and increase in number and value. My goal is to eventually trade some of them for female cows, which would also multiply, providing me with a reliable source of income as my children transition into college and as this program comes to an end. I am very thankful for the support from GiveDirectly, which has made all this possible."

"My house is in very poor condition, leaning on one side and on the verge of collapsing. At this point, it is impossible to renovate, so I am now focused on building a new two-roomed house made of blocks, which will be much more durable than the one I currently live in. I have been using my previous transfers to gradually buy building materials, and for the coming year and beyond, I plan to continue using a portion of my transfers to purchase more materials until I can finally build the house I have always dreamed of. Once it is complete, I know I will be extremely happy. I understand it is not an easy journey, but I am determined to achieve it, and I am deeply grateful to GiveDirectly for giving me hope and support through these transfers."