"In the coming year and beyond, I plan to invest in buying goats. My goal is to sell them in the future to earn money for food and school fees, especially as their numbers increase. I have already purchased seven goats and two sheep using my monthly savings. My children are still in school, and as they progress, their school fees continue to rise. I want to stay ahead by preparing for this financial need. Currently, I have a total of eight goats, three of which are expecting. I've witnessed my goats reproduce, and I am confident they will keep multiplying. This will ensure that when the need for school fees arises, my husband can sell some goats to provide the necessary cash. Additionally, I want to be able to buy them school uniforms and shoes as needed, which will also be supported by the sales from these animals."

"I've been living in a grass-thatched house for years, but my dream has always been to have an iron-roofed house. To make this dream a reality, I've been setting aside a portion of my monthly income to gradually purchase building materials. So far, I've managed to acquire 22 iron sheets and some building poles, and I'm hopeful that I can begin construction soon. My primary focus is achieving this goal, as an iron-roofed house will provide much-needed protection from the rains, which have been a constant challenge in my current home. I plan to continue saving to buy the remaining building poles, timber, and nails, as well as to cover labor costs. Alongside this, I am also using part of my transfer to boost on my poultry and goat business , which will support me in finishing up the building work and achieving a more secure future."

"My goal is to revive my restaurant, where I used to serve a variety of dishes like chapatis, beans, tea, and ugali. Running my own business is more fulfilling than working for someone else, as it allows me to invest extra effort into ensuring its success. Currently, I am doing hairdressing at clients' homes for a small fee after having to close down the restaurant due to several challenges. I am determined to bring the restaurant back to life, fulfilling my entrepreneurial dreams. The prolonged drought led to a severe water shortage, forcing me to temporarily close the restaurant. The nearest water source was far from my shop, and water was being sold at $0.55 per 20-liter container, making it unsustainable to keep the business running. This situation caused losses and reduced customer visits. However, I am planning to reopen the restaurant soon. Until then, I am sustaining myself by offering hairdressing services to clients in their homes."

"GiveDirectly excels in delivering financial assistance directly to recipients' phones, significantly minimizing the risk of corruption. This approach ensures that the funds reach those who need them most without the interference of intermediaries. Additionally, the organization’s practice of providing money in installments allows recipients to plan effectively and allocate resources more wisely over time. When funds are given in one large sum, it can lead to misuse or hasty spending, undermining the intended support. I can’t identify any areas for improvement; I believe continuing this effective strategy will further enhance its impact on communities."

"For more than ten years, I have been living in a grass-thatched house, which has not been easy. As a small-scale farmer who occasionally takes on casual jobs, my income has always been limited, and I have been the sole provider for my four children. I am planning to use part of my final transfer to build a better house, even if it means starting with just one room. What matters most to me is that it will be made of iron sheets, providing a more secure and durable shelter for my family."

"GiveDirectly's One of the most commendable aspects of their approach is how they promote unity within families. Before any cash transfer, they encourage families to come together and agree on who will receive the money, which helps to prevent any potential conflicts that might arise. Additionally, GiveDirectly emphasizes the importance of wise spending. Although the cash transfers are unconditional, they encourage recipients to avoid illegal activities. My suggestion is that after each transfer, GiveDirectly could organize community meetings to showcase the positive impacts of the funding. This initiative would motivate others and also create a sense of accountability among recipients, demonstrating how the funds can lead to meaningful change in the community. Overall, GiveDirectly’s approach is commendable, and by incorporating more community engagement, they could enhance their impact even further."

"Together with my family of five, we have been living in a cramped one-room house with an iron roof and walls. The space was too small for us, making it difficult to store even our essential household items. When we had visitors, we often had to accommodate them in my mom's house, which was not ideal. After receiving my second cash transfer, I decided to build an additional one roomed house with iron walls and a roof, which cost $350. Now, thanks to GiveDirectly, we finally have some breathing space in our home. To ensure we have enough milk for our children, I also bought a goat for $50, adding to the five goats we already had. This will help us secure a steady supply of milk, and we can also sell some to address any future emergencies as they multiply. Additionally, I spent $10 on food, as we were facing a significant food shortage after losing our crops to the floods. I gave my wife $30 to buy new clothes for our children since theirs were worn out, and I allocated $10 for labor to clear and prepare our land for planting. I am grateful to GiveDirectly."

"One area where GiveDirectly excels in delivering unconditional cash transfers is in providing education through community meetings (barazas), particularly regarding M-Pesa security. I always keep my pin secret and consistent, which ensures that my funds are safe. I also appreciate that the organization maintains a strict policy against dishonesty; if someone attempts to deceive, they will not receive their transfer. From the organization’s perspective, this integrity is evident in the transfers because we receive the exact amount that was promised, fostering trust within the community. I encourage GiveDirectly to continue this transparent approach, especially regarding the amount given, as receiving funds in installments enhances our ability to plan effectively for our needs. If there is an opportunity for additional support in the future, I kindly ask that we receive it, as this assistance truly uplifts lives. With further support, I believe we can achieve even greater transformations in our community."

"When I received my unconditional cash transfer, I decided to prioritize my children's education and the well-being of my family. My son is currently in junior secondary school, and I enrolled him in boarding, which cost me $105. His school recommended boarding due to the long distance and the dangers of crossing the river, especially after the recent flood incident. Additionally, I have a daughter in high school who had accumulated $200 in unpaid school fees. I had no idea how I would settle her fees, but with this transfer, I was able to clear the arrears, which brought me peace of mind. As a crop farmer, I used $50 for land preparation, intending to plant maize on my one-acre farm. The proceeds from this harvest will help sustain us in the future. To create a lasting memory of the support I received from GiveDirectly, I bought a goat worth $60, which will also help us in the long run. With the remaining funds, I purchased food items like beans and maize to keep us going as we wait for the crops in the field to mature. This cash transfer has truly relieved a great burden and allowed me to plan for our needs with confidence."

"GiveDirectly has done an excellent job in ensuring that the enrollment process is fair and transparent. What I appreciated most was that the enrollment was independent, with no involvement from community leaders, which made the process unbiased and gave everyone an equal chance. The officers were very patient throughout the process, taking time to ensure that we understood everything clearly before moving forward. After enrollment, an audit was conducted to verify that all details were correct, which gave us confidence that the system was being properly managed. The mode of receiving transfers was also effective, as everyone received the money through personal phones, making it reliable. In my opinion, GiveDirectly's approach is highly effective, and I haven't identified any areas in need of improvement. I hope they continue with the same methods moving forward."