"With the second transfer, I optimized the maize plantation through an investment of $140 in purchasing four 50-kg bags of top dressing fertilizers. This allocation aimed to enhance the growth and yield of my three-acre maize farm, despite the challenges posed by the devastating drought. To further diversify my agricultural activities, I acquired certified tomato seedlings from reputable vendors in Naivasha, spending $120. In the face of the harsh climatic conditions, I took a proactive approach by leasing a three-acre piece of land situated near a reliable stream that has consistently provided water for irrigation. Currently, the maize plants have entered the flowering stage, and I remain hopeful that they will retain sufficient water to reach maturity. I anticipate a bumper harvest that will not only serve as a vital food source for my family but also provide surplus produce for sale. I also spent $70 on purchasing dry maize grains to sustain my family of eight. This investment in food would help meet our immediate dietary needs. Additionally, I used $55 to pay school fees for my son, who had recently joined Form 1, ensuring that his educational journey continues uninterrupted. Without forgetting clothing and footwear, I dedicated the remaining $65 to buying clothes and pairs of shoes for my six children. Their excitement and gratitude upon receiving this support were heartwarming, reaffirming the positive impact these provisions have on their lives."

"GiveDirectly has had a remarkable impact in our village, and I deeply appreciate the effectiveness of their approach. The option to receive money aligned perfectly with our plans, unlike if we had received materials or goods. This empowered us with the freedom to use the money in ways that best suited our families, without any imposed conditions from GiveDirectly. The entire process was executed flawlessly, and I genuinely hope that the same model can be extended to other villages, enabling more individuals and communities to experience the transformative benefits of direct cash transfers."

"The challenge I am currently facing is, I do not have adequate financial support for buying land where I can be able to farm crops like beans, maize and bananas for both commercial and home consumption. I have 5 school going children who need school fees in lower primary. This is challenging to have all these children at school because they need scholarstic materials yet I do not have adequate finances."

"Once again, Give Directly delivered my third transfer promptly and in the exact amount as before. This brought me immense joy as it allowed me to continue the projects I had initiated with my first and second transfers. For the first time in my life, I have been able to ensure the consistent attendance of my children at school by promptly paying their fees. To prioritize their education, my initial decision was to settle the entire year's outstanding fees, amounting to $200. This accomplishment filled me with incredible satisfaction. Furthermore, I allocated $250 towards renovating my three-roomed house, which, though spacious enough for my family of nine, had begun to show signs of age. This refurbishment instilled a profound sense of security within my family, contributing to our overall happiness."

"Receiving my third and final set of transfers filled me with immense joy as it marked the end of the prolonged stress and frustration caused by a long-standing debt. Despite having purchased a piece of land and even constructing on it, I had never been able to fully repay the debt, despite my best efforts. With the last transfers in hand, I made a firm decision to settle the debt once and for all. I allocated $200 towards this purpose, and it turned out to be the best decision I could have made for myself at that time. Additionally, I chose to revitalize my living room by investing $150 in new furniture. This would provide me with the comfort I desired and allow me to host family and friends without any sense of embarrassment. With the remaining $100, I treated myself to my very first smartphone. It felt like a dream come true, as I had yearned for a smartphone for a long time. I am thrilled to finally have one, as it enables me to browse the internet and simplify our lives by leveraging its various features. I received I was able to settle a debt of 20k to pay for a piece of land, I bought furniture with 15000, bought a phone of 10k"

"My ultimate goal is to ensure that my son, Onesimus, who is currently in grade eight, has the opportunity to attend high school next year. It would break my heart if he were unable to continue his education due to a lack of funds. Moreover, I do not wish to burden his older brother, who already has his own family to provide for. As the cash aid is currently my sole source of income, I plan to utilize it to pay for Onesimus's studies, ensuring his educational journey continues uninterrupted for the next four years until he completes high school."

"My aspiration for the upcoming year is to have successfully built my own house. The years spent in my nephew's shelter have made me aware of the constant burden I place on him, especially when he visits from town. Thanks to the cash transfers, I have been able to accumulate building materials, and my goal is to continue acquiring more until I have enough to construct a two-room house with mud walls and a tin roof. Also, owning a house will enable me to pursue poultry farming, particularly raising chickens. The additional room in my house will serve as a suitable space for them. By engaging in chicken rearing, I can generate income by selling them and contributing towards covering our household expenses. This will reduce my reliance on my son as the sole provider."

"Food insecurity is a major challenge that I am grappling with at the moment. Life has been hard lately, we have had 3 seasons of failed rains and that exacerbated the situation from bad to worse. It seems not to get better since the cost of living continue to skyrocket. The cost of 90 Kg of maize is going for $70 up from $35 which is unaffordable. We had received some rainfall recently and we thought things had returned to normalcy, I had planted some maize but they are on the verge of wilting as a result of inadequate rainfall. We are faced with uncertainties due to climate change. It is used to rain adequately during the long rains but it has since changed."

"Water accessibility is a major problem that we are facing at the moment. I do not have a water tank to harvest and store water during the rainy season. As a result, I am forced to trek for 30 minutes to the water pan to fetch water and carry it on my back which is so stressful and tiring. The situation is further worsened because of my condition at the moment. I am heavily pregnant and due in the next 2 months and so I am straining too much. I am forced to go for it since I do not afford to buy from water vendors nor hire a motorbike to bring it for me."

"Our sick firstborn daughter, Frida has a disability. She is now seven years old and in Grade 2. She cannot walk at all and it has been a thorn in the flesh in our lives. We have to take her to school in the morning and go for her in the evening after school. She has weak bones and cannot stand on her feet. We have not been able to purchase a wheelchair for her use because we cannot afford. Every week we have to take her to Marigat Sub County for physiotherapy, sometimes she misses the sessions because of lack of money for traveling and for paying the medical services. It worries us a lot. We have since been advised to take her for specialized treatment in a hospital in Kajiado but our inadequacy in terms of money does not allow. It is very unfortunate, we are helpless and hopeless of ever affording her the much needed medical attention."