"As the head of my family, am responsible for providing a safe shelter for my wife and five children. Sadly, my current house is very old, and unstable, and could easily collapse from adverse weather like strong winds or heavy rains. So, I aim to build a three-room house made of mud walls and a tin roof, an exercise that will cost at least $1500. Though I bear huge financial burdens like my children’s school fees, I wish to start saving at least half of each cash transfer towards the construction project. I hope my charcoal-burning hustle will yield enough for my family’s basic needs so that I can direct the cash transfers to the house."

"My long-term goal is to buy a piece of land, build rentals and add more sources of revenue so that my children can complete school without straining myself. My husband suports me which I am gratefull."

"I work as a casual worker, I pick tea leaves and get paid a monthly salary of $60. I use the money to buy food for my family. Receiving this transfer has enabled me to build a two-roomed house and save some money since I only have one child that is still not a toddler."

"The staff I meet are kind and their work is top-notch. The questions are thorough, I enjoy talking to them via the phone and also when they visit."

"My short-term goal is to save money from my charcoal business and continue paying for my children's school fees. I do not pay rent which has helped me with other expenses."

"Before the transfer, I lived with my four children in a tiny room, The room was uncomfortable. I am a stay-at-home mother and I only farm for domestic purposes on my husband's farm. My husband is the breadwinner and he takes care of the children's school fees. Receiving this transfer has enabled me to build two rooms for my four children which cost $210, paid school fees at $210, and used the rest for food."

"I am a stay-at-home mother, my husband has a piece of land that I farm for domestic purposes. I have eight children that are in school. School fees have been a struggle for the longest. My husband works in a butchery and has always managed to get the funds needed. Recently my husband was diagnosed with a kidney problem and was out of his job. Unfortunately, all my children are now out of school because I cannot manage to pay their fees. But I am thankful the money from GiveDirectly has helped me pay for the hospital bills, he is now at home recuperating."

"Before the transfer, my children would get sent away due to school fees arrears, which had accumulated to $200. I have a grocery shop and I get $5 a day that helps me buy food and water for my family. My husband does casual jobs and in a week he gets $30 which is mostly used to pay school fees and his transport fare. Previously, I lived in one room house that was not comfortable for the six of us. My children would put the mattress on the ground and sleep which made them have a cold most of the time. Receiving this transfer has enabled me to build a two-roomed house and bought two beds for $80 and paid school fees arrears at $200."

"Before the transfer, I was living in a house made of grass, rodents and snakes were always finding their way to the house. I sell porridge in the village. I get $1.5 as the profit in a day which helps me buy food for my family. My husband is a guard at a school nearby getting a wage of $5 a day which helps pay school fees for my two children. Receiving this money has enabled me to build a three-roomed house for which I spent $400, paid school fees for $10, and bought two goats for $60 that I would sell whenever I need money."

"In my opinion, GiveDirectly does very well by enrolling every household within the village without any form of bias and giving support in form of cash. This gives each person freedom to choose how to spend the money and how best it would be of benefit to them. Looking at the house that I built with this cash and even the clothes that I bought for my family gives me so much joy and happiness . On the other hand, I do not see anything that GiveDirectly could have done better. Everything that they do is just perfect and they should continue doing it in the way they are doing."