"My house, roofed with only five iron sheets, was far too small for my family of four. Whenever I had visitors, they had to sleep at my neighbor's place because there simply wasn't enough space. When I received my second transfer from GiveDirectly, I seized the opportunity to construct a one-room house, both roofed and walled with iron sheets, which cost me $350. This new house provided us with much-needed space and comfort. Previously, I had only two plastic chairs, which were inadequate for us, so I bought three additional plastic chairs for $21 and a table for $85. Food has always been a challenge for us, especially since I am a single mom relying fully on casual jobs. To help with this, I purchased a bag of maize worth $27, ensuring that we had enough to eat. Unfortunately, my daughter fell ill with malaria during this time, and I had to spend $10 on her medication. We desperately needed clothes because our old ones were worn out and tattered. With the remaining money, I bought new clothes for myself and my three children, bringing them joy. Seeing their smiles was worth every sacrifice I had made."

"GiveDirectly does well in delivering financial assistance directly to recipients through Mpesa, effectively eradicating the involvement of intermediaries. This approach ensures that the funds reach those in need while enhancing transparency. The officers involved in the program are respectful and humble, making recipients feel valued and supported. Additionally, having the money sent directly to our phones allows for easy access. During the initial meeting, we were educated about wise spending and cautioned against using the funds for illegal activities, which further promotes responsible use of the assistance. I have not identified any areas for improvement, as the program has been efficient and impactful."

"I love how GiveDirectly excels in supporting the poor in our community. Indeed, unconditional cash can change lives; if you had visited our community before the transfers and now, you would clearly see the positive changes. Additionally, the follow-up on the transfers has motivated us to utilize the money wisely. I truly believe that the program's strength lies in its effective approach. I have not seen any areas that need improvement; I encourage you to continue with the same successful methods."

"I plan to expand my livestock by purchasing more sheep. I had never owned any goats or sheep until I received my second transfer from GiveDirectly. My aim is to eventually have more than ten sheep, as I believe they thrive in our area. I am planning to use part of my final transfer to buy additional sheep, as this investment will be instrumental in improving my family's financial situation. As a single mom, raising these sheep will help me cover school fees for my children and address other essential needs in the future."

"I truly appreciate how GiveDirectly conducts its operations. The officers show great respect at all stages of enrollment, including during follow-ups, and they exercise a commendable level of patience. I also love that the money is sent directly to us, along with education on security measures. This consistent reminder from the officers has greatly helped ensure that our funds are safe. The follow-up after the transfer motivates us to spend wisely. I would recommend that GiveDirectly consider increasing the amount of support we receive. Alternatively, if they could support more people using the same approach, that would also be beneficial."

"GiveDirectly excels in supporting the poor through its unconditional cash transfers, which have visibly transformed our village as people take diverse initiatives to improve their livelihoods. The unconditional nature of the funds empowers recipients to make choices that best suit their needs. However, while GiveDirectly officers do conduct follow-ups on how we spend the money, I believe there is room for improvement. If they identify individuals who misuse the funds, it would be beneficial to provide them with education on wise spending to help them make better financial decisions in the future. Overall, your approach is effective. Keep it up! "

"I have been doing crop farming for a while now, working on half an acre of land that a neighbor generously offered me. My plan for the future is to rent an additional acre of land, which will expand the half an acre I already farm. I intend to plant maize during the next planting season. I plan to use my final transfer to make this happen, as it will help cover the costs of renting the land and purchasing the necessary inputs. By increasing my land size, I will boost my yields, leading to more income. This will not only allow me to continue farming but also give me the opportunity to invest part of the income in adding more sheep to my flock."

"As a farmer, crop farming has been my main source of income for the past four years. Unfortunately, this year I lost 1.5 acres of maize and 1 acre of beans due to climatic shocks. However, giving up is not an option for me. I have already cleared the farm in preparation and plan to try again. I intend to use my final transfer to cover the costs of plowing, making ridges, and planting. This time, I will plant maize on 2 acres and dedicate half an acre to black nightshade. I plan to start planting next month, and for the black nightshade, I expect to harvest in about two months, which will be perfect timing as the market will be favorable due to the off-season. The proceeds from this harvest will help me purchase a plot of land and relocate, as our current home is prone to flooding. I want to secure a safer future for my family."

"As soon as I received the cash transfers, I purchased bags of cement for $385. This was to complete the rental house that I had initially started. Unfortunately, construction had to stop when I lost my permanent job a few months ago. This left me in a difficult situation, as I didn't know how to finish the house. I felt both hopeless and joyless, realizing that once I started collecting rent, I would also need to worry about my family's needs. Therefore, I am grateful to this organization for enabling me to finish building my house. I am confident that soon my life will return to normal as I begin to move forward. I also used $60 to prepare my 2-acre farm. I expected good weather, and I wanted to be ready in time for the season to ensure a reasonable harvest. Later, I was able to pay $70 in fees for my four children, which had accumulated as arrears and caused them to miss school. I’m glad they were able to return and pursue their dreams. With the remaining $35, I bought food to sustain my family during this period, as we have been experiencing severe droughts."

"I was in the process of finishing the construction of my four-room rental house in my village when, unfortunately, I lost the permanent job that my family depended on, as my husband does not have stable employment. This situation left me in a dilemma, unsure how or when I would be able to complete the house. I had invested all my resources and savings into this project, and the thought of letting it go felt devastating. The stress I was experiencing made it difficult to sleep, as I had planned for the house to serve as an additional source of income through monthly rent, but that dream seemed to be slipping away. Now, all I could do was relax and pray for a miracle. I am incredibly grateful for GiveDirectly, as their financial assistance has allowed me to continue the construction. As we speak, the house is being built, and I hope it will soon be completed. Although I lost my job, I feel I have regained hope. Once the house is finished, I will begin earning rent from tenants, which will help sustain my family's needs, especially in supporting my children's education and providing their daily meals."