"There has been little or no rain this year. This has affected us a lot. We had planted 2 acres of land. On a good season we could harvest 8 bags of maize and 50 kilos of beans. This year we lost everything. It has made our life's really difficult. To survive during this dry season, we've sold 6 goats. When we sell the goats we're able to buy bags of maize. It's sad seeing our stock reduce."

"My name is Alex, 21, I completed my secondary education in 2020. In 2002, my father passed on, I was very young. When our father died, my mother left us with my younger brother who now stays with my aunt. To get education, food and shelter, we've always depended on well-wishers and relatives. Since I completed my secondary education, I've always wanted to do a course in Supply Chains Management. This has not been possible because I lack school fees. To complete the course, I will need about $2000. It's really stressful that I cannot do the course. This is because I believe when I have the certificate it will help boost my livelihood."

"When I withdrew the money, I first decided to clear some school fee balances for my children so that they could settle and continue with their studies. I have seven children, out of them, one is in secondary school, three are in upper primary school and the other three are in lover primary. Therefore, I paid $200 for the secondary school child and $40 for the upper primary school children. As of now, they are happily settled in school and I am grateful for that because since they are settled I expect good performance from them. Thereafter, I opted to construct a house for my boys whom we have been sleeping in the same house with. , Since I already had the building poles, I told them to go to the forest to search for rafters. After that, I bought twelve Iron sheets for $76, and the labor charge of the contractor was $35. Currently, my children are very happy with the freedom they have since they have their own house. I am relieved of the deprivation of privacy which I have lived with for a longer period in my house with my boys. For the remaining amount, I bought some food for my family."

"I have been leaving an uneasy life for the past two years since my husband died. By the time he died, we were living on their family piece of land together with his parents. After his death, I lost confidence since I had no shoulder to lean on in case I undergo some challenges. Living with my parents-in-law in the absence of my husband has been the hardest part of my life. I desired to buy a piece of land to start my home together with my seven children but money was the biggest challenge. I only relied on charcoal making since I was just a housewife. This business could not sustain my family and in a couple of days, we went without food. Upon getting the first transfer, I bought a 1.25-acre piece of land for $400. I was overjoyed since my long-time desire had come to pass. Thereafter, I used the remaining amount of money to buy food for my family. I also took a break from the tiring charcoal-making job and since then we have not missed a meal. I am grateful because soon I will be having my home and this is courtesy of GiveDirectly."

"My house was swept off by flood.I am now staying at my inlaw's house.I am uncomfortable staying in the house because its a small room.Sometimes i get something to eat and other days o have to depend on my inlaws for meals.I feel so bad that my house was taken. Poverty is also a challenge,I and my husband have managed to only buy some iron sheets so as to construct another house."

"Food insecurity is the greatest challenge because I live in a semi-arid area. It has been two years since I last had a good harvest from our farms. I must work to get money to purchase equally expensive food. I take two meals a day when I have money otherwise it is most once. This becomes a problem and it deteriorates my health as I lack enough nutritional food."

"The cost of living has increased to the extent that I cannot meet all the basic needs of my eight school-going children. I rely on business profits to make ends meet, but this year it has been tough and I have $500 in school fees arrears. Come January, I will need $1000 to send them to school but with the little income, I get stressed up knowing they may fail to go on time for their studies."

"Making sure that I use the money I get to keep my kids in school is my top priority. My three children, who are still in school, frequently experience being sent home and must spend extended periods of time at home. Since I've been sleeping on a traditional bed made of sisal for years at this point, I was also expecting to utilize the money to buy myself a bed and a mattress. The traditional bed prevents me from sleeping on the ground, but it is not as comfy as one might hope. Additionally, I wanted to purchase some farm animals, especially some goats and fowl, since they come in handy when I am in need of financial aid in the future."

"My main objective for this year is to increase our family's income. I currently support my family by farming for subsistence, but due to the severe drought, we hardly ever have enough farm output to last the entire year. In addition, I periodically burn charcoal for sale to enhance agricultural output, but there is little market for it because practically everyone in the village operates in the same way. My objective is to open a modest kiosk where I'll sell groceries. Due to its often great demand, it is more profitable."

"The year before last year, I managed to acquire a motorcycle on loan. The owner of the bike and I agree that I will pay him in installments over the years until I finally settle the debt. I have so far managed to pay more than half of what I owe, and I want to ensure that by the end of the year I am finally done with the payment. I also want to save up my money so that I can finally buy livestock. My intention is to take care of the livestock and breed them, and then finally I can sell them and build a better house for me and my family."