"A few days after receiving the first transfer, a distressing situation arose within our family. Collins, my 31-year-old son, commonly known in the village as Lukas, became unwell and required immediate hospitalization. Despite our best efforts, Lukas's health unfortunately deteriorated, and he eventually passed away during. Consequently, the remaining funds from the received transfer, after allocating $120 towards food for my family of three, were directed towards settling the hospital bills and covering other associated expenses."

"Relying predominantly on manual labor for income meant I had to constantly be away from home, engaging in tasks that would generate earnings to fulfill my basic necessities. However, with the arrival of the transfer, this dynamic has undergone a transformation. I am no longer required to seek manual employment outside, allowing me to redirect my attention towards personal endeavors like developing my land – a long-standing aspiration that was previously hindered by my limited time at home. As I gradually prepare my farm, I am now gearing up to cultivate fruit plants in the upcoming days."

"The biggest challenge we face is a lack of food. In the last 3 years, there has been little rain. This has not been enough for growing maize. This has affected our ability to get food. We also depend on irrigation but the water doesn't get to our farm because people upstream use it all. All these have made it difficult to get food. We mainly depend on casual labour which is hard to come by. One is paid $3 per day which can hardly support our family due to the high cost of living. This has made our lives difficult, affecting our ability to put food daily on the table."

"For the past three years, the rains have been minimal, and as a result, we do not have enough food for our family which forced us to do casual jobs to purchase from the market. If there was enough water for farming, we would have food and use the money we get for other needs like school fees for our children."

"Lack of a stable source of income is the greatest challenge. I was employed by the county government but unfortunately, I lost my job two months ago, and securing another one has been difficult. My wife had to drop out of school to help me sustain our family's needs something that saddens me. If I could get another job I will be glad because my wife will go back to school comfortably."

"Financial constraints are my greatest challenge as a single parent. I separated from my husband three years ago and since then I provide for my children single-handedly. I do casual jobs at tomato farms and it earns me an average of $10 a week which is hardly enough to cater to all the needs of my family. If I had a stable source of income my life would be easier."

"As I tended to my livestock out in the field, my phone buzzed, and a message popped up around 3 pm. Curious but not in a hurry, I finally glanced at the screen, and I saw $550 staring back at me. It was the unmistakable transfer from GiveDirectly. My heart raced, and a mix of disbelief and gratitude washed over me. A lump formed in my throat as I realized the significance of that amount was a lifeline of opportunity. I couldn't contain my joy; it radiated through me like a warm glow. The weight of financial burdens lifted, and I danced amidst the grazing animals, my heart lighter than it had been in years. That day marked not just the arrival of money but the arrival of hope, a turning point in my life that I would forever cherish."

"I aspire to bring about a positive transformation in the lives of both myself and my children. This journey involves the pivotal step of acquiring a new and decent house for my family. The present dwelling which is damaged, and its instability has me concerned that it may collapse anytime soon. Furthermore, I desire to delve into livestock rearing as a means of building wealth for my children’s education and needs. Right now, the casual jobs I do in charcoal burning can barely provide for all six of them; three of them have not yet joined school due to that fact. I hope that the cash transfers will play a crucial role in making this dream a reality for me."

"I am eager to broaden my sardine-selling business by incorporating additional products like vegetables and clothing. With the combined profits from the business and the assistance of cash transfers, I am confident that I can achieve this growth. Making an income from the business will allow me to support my husband in providing for the family. Working as a school security guard, the income he makes is sometimes insufficient to cover all the basic needs of our family. Another priority of mine is to construct a protective pillar around my house's walls to safeguard them from rain-induced deterioration. To accomplish this goal, I estimate a budget of around $200, for which I have been consistently saving $10 every month."

"My objective revolves around starting a vegetable-selling business. This aspiration has always burned within me, yet financial constraints have impeded its prior accomplishment. It is a longstanding goal of mine, and I am optimistic that the cash transfers will gradually help me gather the necessary funds to initiate this business. The profits generated from this venture will be critical in providing for my five children and supporting my husband, who currently sustains us through charcoal burning."