"We are living in a semi-arid area and this has been the main source of our family problems. The land here is not arable and it is characterized by harsh climatic conditions. This area is therefore not favourable for crop production. Life is difficult since we rely on buying food from the market. Sometimes food is sold at an exorbitant price. We do not have a reliable source of family income and it posts a major challenge to us. We are struggling to put food on the table for my family of four."

"GiveDirectly has done a great job helping vulnerable people through their unconditional cash transfers. What stood out to me about their program was how easy it was to connect with their officers; they were always friendly and supportive. Moving forward, I hope they can reach more locations and enroll as many people as possible so that others can uplift their lives just as we have. This support can truly make a difference for many families."

"The biggest difference in my life is the improvement in my living conditions and my family's well-being. Before receiving the cash from GiveDirectly, I lived in an old traditional manyatta with a leaking roof that put my family at risk, especially during the heavy rains. Water entering the house caused us a lot of discomfort and worry. By buying construction materials and cover labor costs, I was able to fix the roof and protect my home from further damage. Now, I can sleep peacefully without the fear of leaks, which has greatly improved our quality of life. Additionally, spending the remaining money on food has ensured that my children have enough to eat. This support has made a significant difference in our daily lives, allowing us to live with dignity and security."

"I was at home that day, taking care of my two-month-old baby when a message popped up on my phone. It was from GiveDirectly, informing me that they had sent me $200. I was so happy and grateful for this kind of assistance. Since it was already late to go shopping, I couldn’t wait for the next day. The first thought that came to my mind was to give thanks, knowing that my family would finally have enough food. I was at home that day, taking care of my two-month-old baby when a message popped up on my phone. It was from GiveDirectly, informing me that they had sent me $200. I was so happy and grateful for this kind of assistance. Since it was already late to go shopping, I couldn’t wait for the next day. The first thought that came to my mind was to give thanks, knowing that my family would finally have enough food."

"I was doing my usual casual labor when my friend started celebrating, saying they had received money from GiveDirectly. I had left my phone at home charging, so I couldn't join in without checking my status. Eager and desperate to find out, I rushed home. As soon as I got there, I went straight to my phone and turned it on. Immediately, a message from GiveDirectly popped up, informing me that I had received $180. I was so happy and quickly told my family. The first thought that came to my mind was to buy food, as we had none at home."

"Looking ahead, within one year, I plan to start a business to generate more income. With one of my children finishing Form 4, I don’t want him to stay idle at home while waiting to join college. I hope to involve him in the business so he can gain valuable skills. The thought of achieving this fills me with satisfaction, knowing that I’ll wake up every day with a purpose and something productive to do. I plan to use the income from the business to improve my standard of living and complete building a new home."

"What stood out to me about GiveDirectly is their kindness and respect. They never do anything without getting an individual’s consent, and they never ask for favors to enroll anyone in their programs. What I would like to see them incorporate into their program is support for education, such as offering scholarships to vulnerable people. Personally, I have five children all in school, and the burden of paying school fees is overwhelming. A program like this would greatly help families like mine."

"Upon receiving $450 from GiveDirectly, I had several pressing needs to address. I used $200 to pay school fees for two of my children. It had been difficult to come up with the fees, and this assistance really helped me take care of that. Now, I can focus on other priorities. Another urgent issue was food for my family. I have a large family with nine kids, so I spent $100 on food. Now, we have enough to eat, and it has greatly improved our family life. Everyone is happy and energetic. I also used $100 to buy two goats as a long-term investment. As the goats multiply, they will help us handle emergencies without fear. The remaining amount went towards buying clothes for my kids, and they are happy and grateful."

"First of all, I want to thank GiveDirectly for the incredible work they have done in my community. They are truly dedicated to their mission, carrying out their work with focus and without distractions. Moving forward, I would love to see them expand their programs beyond cash transfers. In addition to the financial support, I believe it would be beneficial for them to also focus on improving essential services like healthcare, roads, and electricity. These areas are crucial for the overall development of our community and would make a lasting impact on our lives."

"The challenge I'm facing currently is the lack of money. This is a big problem for me because I only depend on livestock and charcoal burning as a source of money. Cutting down trees and burning charcoal is a difficult job and sometimes the money from it is not enough to meet our needs. Also, I have few livestock and I have to wait for many months before I sell some. This has made life quite difficult."