"I hope to start a dry-maize business in the nearby shopping center in the coming year. The majority of people in the immediate community do not plant maize on their farms; instead, they focus on short-season crops that thrive in the short rains. They intend to sell the produce and use the proceeds to purchase maize flour. Providing and selling maize fills the gap because they will no longer have to walk long distances to find maize. I intend to source from farmers in the following counties who grow maize on a large scale. I am currently in constant contact with a friend in Narok County and my sister in Nakuru County, both of whom provide me with real-time market prices for dry maize grains. I have been a member of 18-member actively participating village savings group, where each person saves $12 per month and requests a withdrawal when a need arises. It is a relief that I will receive my share early next year, which I will use to purchase the initial stock."

"I am always excited at the prospect of one day possibly starting my own retail business selling food stuff. Flour, salt, cereals, toiletries, etc. I believe the extra cash would put me in a better position to secure my kids' futures."

"My dream in the near future is to expand my poultry business by buying an extra 2 acres. This would allow me to make sufficiently more money and in the future, give my kids a better life than we as their parents have had."

"I received the transfers from GiveDirectly and proceeded some sheep to breed. I bought four and they gave birth , though 2 of them died. I also stocked up on food by purchasing 3 sacks of maize, as well as other dry foods. A mattress was also purchased, and some repairs commissioned on the house. The roof was in bad shape and we also found a way to plaster the house floor with the money as well. Receiving the funds from GiveDirectly was the best part of an otherwise very difficult time. My wife had gone back to her maternal home since I had not completed the dowry payments, and with her took our 2 children. The eldest had just completed her Class 8, , while the youngest is 6 months old. I have been cultivating our 2 acre farm and growing cassava and maize. The drought really affected the maize, hence why I resorted to buying. GiveDirectly helped me find the physical and emotional strength to soldier on by the positive injection of funds into my life. I'm eternally indebted."

"Maize and cassava farming has been my main job, with the occasional casual job on construction sites, for a while now. So you can imagine the boost that GiveDirectly gave me in achieving my goals by sending me the transfers. I started building a 3-bedroom house when I received the first transfer and completed it with the second. Food was also on the purchase list, but the majority went to school fees. I sent my child to college. Between what my wife makes selling omena and mandazi at her kibanda and what I manage to scrape together, we would have been unable to pay for the college course my 3rd child is taking hairdressing course and for which we are paying $80 a year. She lives in Munaranii, where she goes to school. We have another who just completed class 8, two in grade 3, one in grade 2, and the last born is yet to start school. Their tuitions are $10, $8 each for the two in the same grade, and $5 for the youngest in school, respectively. My first two kids are looking for jobs, meaning we would have had no one to assist us financially to cover these expenses were it not for GiveDirectly stepping in. They truly have changed our lives for the better."

"GiveDirectly has completely transformed Kimbule Town for the better. Recipients have been able to take their kids to school, buy property, and build houses, thanks to GiveDirectly helping us all. I have nothing else to add other than my prayer that GiveDirectly continues helping many other, similarly needy people."

"Give Directly does everything well . You have helped everyone in my village with money , which they have used to meet their financial needs . My heart is filled with gratitude when I hear the mention of Give Directly because you have eradicated poverty from this village. I build a house , bought a bed and mattress . I never knew that one day I could be able to sleep comfortably ! There is nothing wrong that you need to correct. May God bless you ."

"Being a subsistence farmer in an area where drought can persist for a whole year means a lot of stress. I am currently depending on my husband who is a security guard and his monthly income is $80, an income that can not fully cater to all our basic needs like food and school fees. This means we sometimes survive on one meal a day and my children have frequently missed classes, a situation that has directly affected their performances. Therefore, I consider the financial crisis as my biggest challenge."

"Taking care of my family of 11 members is a big burden to me because it requires a lot of effort to provide all the basic needs. Considering the nature of jobs in our area being casual and energy-intensive, my charcoal and manganese work never earn me much, usually $40 per month. This means my husband also have to go extra mile in his casual jobs to supplement the income. Due to this challenge, my children have been missing classes and forfeiting some meals, a situation that has affected their studies. Therefore, I consider financial instability as my biggest challenge."

"Lack of a stable source of income is the biggest challenge that I am currently facing. At the moment, I do some casual jobs such as laundry services for my neighbor who pays me utmost $3, which is not on a daily basis. This means on some days, I stay idle at home and depend on my husband who works as a taxi driver. Since his income is also not reliable, I sometimes feel so bad seeing my children forfeiting meals on some days, a situation that has robbed away my joy as a mother."