"The biggest challenge I grapple with is the lack of a steady income to support my family’s daily needs. Our survival hinges on casual labor, but when work is hard to come by, which is often, it becomes incredibly difficult to make ends meet. The scarcity of opportunities frequently leaves us with no choice but to go to bed hungry, as this is our primary means of sustenance."

"Before receiving the cash transfer, life was really tough. We were living hand to mouth, and as a cook at a nearby school, my earnings were barely enough to get by. Providing for my family felt like a constant struggle—some days, we couldn’t even afford a proper meal and had to skip it altogether. It was heartbreaking, especially knowing that my son’s education was also at risk because we couldn’t keep up with the school fees. After getting the money from GiveDirectly, everything changed. I was able to buy food items in bulk that lasted us over a month, which lifted such a huge weight off my shoulders. The money that we would have spent on food has now gone toward paying for my son's school fees, ensuring his education continues uninterrupted. We feel more at peace and happier as a family now—there’s less stress, more time to connect, and a renewed sense of hope for the future"

"When I received the cash, the first thing I did was spend $56 on a bag of maize and other household food items. We needed to be food secure because my salary often comes late, and I didn’t want us to struggle with hunger again. After that, I used $65 to buy a bigger chicken coop since the old one had become too cramped for the 30 chickens we have. This new coop can fit up to 50 chickens, so it gives them more space and room to grow. I also bought a small mattress for $30 so my wife and the baby could sleep comfortably. With a new baby in the house, it’s better if they have their own bed, while I sleep on the other bed with the older children. I wanted to make everyone happy, so I used another $30 to buy clothes for my wife and the kids. Their clothes were worn out, and seeing them smile in new outfits gave me joy. I didn’t forget my brother in college—he had told me he needed money for food, so I sent him $10 for upkeep. Additionally, I spent $7 on medicine for my goats and chickens to ensure they stay healthy since they’re important to our livelihood. The remaining amount, I’ve set aside for food or any emergencies that might come up later. This way, I feel more prepared to face whatever comes next."

"For this year and the years to come, my wish is to get married and have a wedding, and I believe this will be possible if my farming succeeds. I’m hopeful because I’ve already leased land in the Parkera Irrigation Scheme, where I plan to grow maize. The thought of everything coming together fills me with satisfaction and joy, as marriage and family are highly valued and respected in my culture. In our society, staying single is not seen as ideal, and having a family is a sign of honor and respect. That’s why I’m determined to do everything I can to get married and have a wedding, fulfilling this important cultural expectation."

"For this year and the years to come, I am determined to focus on farming and move away from the hand-to-mouth lifestyle of doing odd jobs. I have already leased a farm, and I’m eagerly awaiting the third transfer to fully invest in my farming plans. Farming has always been my dream, but I never had the capital to make it a reality. Thanks to the support I’m receiving, I now have the opportunity to pursue this goal. I believe that farming will provide me with a stable income and allow me to save money for my children's school fees. This marks a significant step toward building a more secure and prosperous future for my family, and I am excited to see these plans come to life."

"I am really struggling right now because I do not have an income-generating activity. I have to rely on my husband, who is an electrician, but he is currently not employed and only gets calls for work occasionally. On a good week, he might do one job, and that income barely covers school fees and food for our family of five. On the days when there is no work, it is incredibly stressful not knowing where our next meal will come from. Casual jobs on the other hand are unpredictable as they are occasional so I cannot always rely on them."

"Our village is heavily affected by the long drought period, and it's majorly rocky. Planting crops for food is a challenge. They dry due to the scorching sun and hot climate. We only depend on casual jobs for a living, which are also hard to get. If successful, the pay is low. I'm paid $2 per day. It can hardly meet our daily food needs. This has affected my ability to provide consistent food. We sometimes only have one meal a day."

"The quick deterioration in my health is the greatest challenge am currently facing. It was in the year 2020 when I started feeling pain in my waist and leg joints, on visiting the Marigat District hospital the doctors discovered that I had diabetes coupled with the weakening of joints due to high levels of florides in the body .The high florides level has been caused by the Lake Baringo water we have been using since our childhood.Since the onset of these joint pains I have been unable to vend for myself and my grandchildren because movement from one place to another is now a challenge to me .I stopped selling tea, porridge and Sweet potatoes around the construction sites in the village because I cannot not walk well .To make matters worst I still have to endure the pain for a lifetime because the doctors have said there is no remedy to this condition."

"Diabetes, as powerful and invincible as it may seem, is a mere fraction of a person's life. In the year 2016, our third born son was diagnosed with diabetes. We have been in and out of hospital for medication which has drained us financially. Being a university student, a forth year to be specific, has catapulted our financial constrains as we depend on livestock for upkeep which has proven to be an almost futile source of income during this time of drought. Getting this transfer will play a major role in meeting his medical expenses and part of it, we will pay for his education. I believe this will give him emotional and mental strength to escape interruption and continue living a normal life."

"Financial constraints are the biggest challenge at the moment. I lost my job in 2017 and since then, I depend on the honey business to earn a living. Recently ,the supply has gone down hence affecting my income greatly forcing me to compliment the charcoal business which is also costly to operate. The income is not enough to meet the basic needs of my family as opposed to if I had a stable source of income."