"I don’t have a husband—he left me a long time ago—but I have three children and one grandchild. Fortunately, I have a son who is employed by the Baringo County Government, and he has always supported me by paying school fees and sometimes buying us food. However, when I received my first transfer, I decided to relieve my son of the burden of school fees since he also has a family to take care of and many other expenses. I paid $100 toward school fees.Additionally, I used $80 to purchase food because we sometimes lack food and have to rely on casual jobs working on other people's farms. Life wasn’t too bad before, but I did these casual jobs because there are certain things I can't ask my son for out of respect, like personal items such as underwear, so that’s why I needed to earn some money on my own.With the remaining $20, I bought two plastic chairs since I only had two and wanted to add more. I am sincerely very grateful to GiveDirectly, and may God bless you."

"Food insecurity is the biggest challenge because of unpredictable rain patterns. We hardly harvest anything when we depend on the rain for farming because it is not sustainable at the same time practicing irrigation farming is expensive because the source of water is five kilometers. I currently do a motorbike taxi to ensure my family does not lack anything."

"One of the biggest differences in my life after receiving the cash is that I am finally free from stress. Previously, I would even talk to myself while walking, like a mad person, because I was constantly worrying about how I could afford a mattress or even chairs. But now, thankfully, I have them, and I am happy for that."

"In August 2024, it was my turn to receive money from the merry-go-round, and I received $100. With this amount, I purchased three goats and five chickens. I now have nine goats and one cow. My goal is to have the goats multiply so I can sell them to cover my children’s school fees. Although I didn’t have the opportunity for a good education, I am determined to provide my children with a brighter future and ensure they succeed. I also plan to exchange some of the goats for dairy cows. I will milk the cows, selling the milk to my neighbors and using some for my children’s nourishment. Additionally, I currently sell and burn charcoal, and with the income from the milk, I aim to increase my earnings and provide a better life for my children."

"My goal in the coming year and beyond is to purchase two bulls that will help me plow my land. Each time the rainy season approaches, I have to spend a significant amount of money to hire people to prepare my land for farming. To solve this challenge, I want to buy the two bulls. These bulls will not only help me plow my own land but also provide an opportunity to earn additional income by offering plowing services to other people in the community. To achieve this goal, I plan to save at least $10 from my subsequent transfers, gradually accumulating enough to purchase the bulls. I am very appreciative of the financial support, which is helping me meet my needs and work towards achieving my goals."

"My goal in the coming year and beyond is to purchase all the necessary building materials to construct a new house. This includes more iron sheets, building poles, nails, and sisal twine ropes. Once I have gathered all the materials, I plan to set aside some money to cover the labor costs for constructing the house. To achieve this goal, I intend to allocate a portion of my money from the subsequent transfers to purchase these materials bit by bit until I have everything I need. Owning my own house will be a significant achievement, as it will finally allow me to stop relying on others for shelter. I am deeply appreciative of the financial support I am receiving from Give Directly, which is helping me move closer to achieving this important goal."

"My current house is in a dilapidated condition. The roof was partly blown away by strong winds, leaving a huge opening, and the walls have become weak, bulging outward and forming large cracks. The state of the house is concerning and poses a threat to my safety. My goal in the coming year and beyond is to construct a new house. I am currently saving money in a savings group, and by the end of the year, I will have accumulated enough savings to purchase new iron sheets. After that, I will buy building poles and other necessary materials to begin constructing my new house. I am very grateful for the financial support from GiveDirectly, which is helping me work towards this important goal."

"My primary goal for the upcoming year is to purchase an irrigating machine to start growing vegetables for sale. Luckily, I have a nearby water source, making this project feasible. By investing in the machine, I can ensure a steady water supply for my crops, even during the dry season. I plan to save gradually for this investment. Once I have the machine, I can grow a variety of vegetables throughout the year, providing fresh produce for my community and earning a reliable income to support my family."

"My main goal for the coming year is to expand my herd of goats. I have already invested in a few and work diligently every day to ensure they are well-fed and healthy. As my herd grows, I plan to sell some goats to raise enough starting capital for a shop business. This shop will lay the foundation for a better life for my family, providing a steady income and the opportunity to save and invest in other ventures. My dream is to see this business thrive, becoming a reliable source of income that will allow me to provide more comfortably for my family's needs and secure our future."

"In the upcoming year, my top priority is to finalize paying off the $25 remaining on my solar loan. Once that is settled, I will shift my focus to expanding my cramped one-room mud wall house, especially since my two grandchildren live with me. I dream of adding a second room to give them the space they need to sleep comfortably and study without distractions. I will save bit by bit and work hard to gather the materials needed for this expansion."