"The main differences that were brought by the transfer from my previous way of living are accommodation and access to food. As a mother of four, it was pathetic to share a room with my children in the presence of my husband. Currently, my children have their own room and we have a seperate one too. This has intalled respect and confidence to us as parents even though the house is incomplete. Initially, we used to struggle to get some food. At some point, we had to go for up to two days a week without meals. As of now, this has become history since the time I received the transfer from GiveDirectly. As a family, we have been getting our meals comfortably unlike before."

"Upon receiving the money, I first opted to build a kitchen. I decided so because I used to get some hard times cooking during rainy seasons. I bought 12 pieces of iron sheets for $114. The kitchen will be of great help to me, especially during the rainy season. Thereafter, I bought three goats for $120 and two sacks of maize for $90. I also paid $80 school fees for my five grandchildren who are orphans and they entirely depend on me. For the remaining amount, I save it for the upkeep of the family."

"The vivid differences that I can attest to before and after receiving the transfer are the availability of food at home and the peace of mind I got after managing to pay the shopkeeper's bill of $100. Initially, we could go for up to two days a week without food some that we no longer experience since receiving the transfer. Again, the shopkeeper's bill was stressing me up after it increased and I had no way out of settling it. Currently, I am relieved after GiveDirectly enabled me to settle the bill."

"When I withdrew the money, I used $110 to seek medication. I am happy because the money helped me greatly. I was able to get medical assistance. I also used $90 to dig a pit latrine since there was no toilet at home. That made me feel ashamed of myself once I receive some visitors. Currently, I have two children who are in secondary school. Since I do not have a defined source of income, I opted to save $300 for their school fees once the schools open. For the remaining amount, I decided to buy some food plus some personal effects for my family."

"During the last year, the intensive rains which come from uphill destroyed my crops(beans) in the gardens. This happens as the heavy rains come, it washes away all the soils and destroys the crops. This left us with scarcity of food and we have to struggle to get two full meal in a day."

"I planted my trees on one acer of land in October 2017, but they were all washed away by land slides that happened in 2018. I and children would get income for sustainability, school fee and food at home,once I sold these trees. But since the incidence happened my financial status got so worse that buying food for my Family is now a challenge since I am a widow. It is also so hard for me to acquire income to buy maize seeds and onion for me to plant, yet while the trees were around this was not a challenge at all,because I would buy the various seeds I needed whenever I would sold my trees."

"Words can't express the happiness that I had when I saw a text message on my screen displayed showing I had received money from GiveDirectly. It was at 3 pm, seated outside my house reading. There was too much heat inside the house. I asked my son to come and confirm whether what I had read in the text was true. He confirmed, and at that moment it was when I believed. I'm grateful for the support of this cash transfer that's nondiscriminatory to anyone. Since we were all equally served respectfully."

"The moment I received my transfer, I can vividly recall that it was in the evening when I was at home relaxing. I was told by my neighbour that he had received money from GiveDirectly, When I went to check if what he was saving was indeed true, that was when I confirmed to have received money from GiveDirectly. This was the best news that I had received that day. It was so refreshing that forgot that I was tired after a long day in the sun. I was overwhelmed with joy because I knew God had answered our prayers. We embarked on planning how we would utilise the money."

"I recall overhearing my neighbours speak about the receipt of their first transfer even though I never took the issue seriously thinking it was petty talk. It was not until my daughter came home and notified me that I had a Mpesa message showing I had received cash from GiveDirectly. This was the most refreshing news I had received in a while. I knew my grandchildren would have food. I knew this was an immense blessing to get aid during the drought season."

"The moment I received my cash transfer, I was able to visit my ailing mother back home. I was scrolling through the phone when I noticed that I had a Mpesa notification message pop up. I wasn't expecting any money from anyone that evening, however, I still went ahead to check with curiosity about whom might have sent the money. It was then I realized that it was money sent from GiveDirectly. I was so grateful for the gift of cash and I thanked God. I knew this would uplift my life."