"Give Directly has done everything well . You helped me to build a house , I didn't neither had a radio nor a television but now I have them . You gave us the freedom of spending the money unconditionally . All these are good things that you have done I don't think there is anywhere you should improve ."

"I spent $50 to buy food for my family and used another $200 to clear my college fee. I also saved a sum of $200 that will help me start my own business once I am done with college studies. The remaining amount of approximately $150 was used to buy clothes for my siblings, my child and my own clothes as well. Things were a tough for us as a family before we received the transfer. I had had to drop out of school after completing my primary school studies due to lack of money to continue. I never had anything to do to earn a living except the odd casual jobs which were sometimes hard to come by as well. We all relied on our mother who works in an hotel to make ends meet for us. For a long time, we had not had the luxury of buying new clothes until we received money from GiveDirectly. I am personally very grateful to GiveDirectly for uplifting our family at an hour of need. We will forever feel indebted for this. I feel happy knowing that very soon I will be able to complete my college studies and start my own business that will completely change my life."

"I'm a first born in my family , currently married but my wife has no job . I do 'bodaboda' business and I'm the sole bread winner of both my families . When I received this money , I felt like I had been born again , I cannot explain my excitement because you may not fully understand . On that day , I was just unusually happy even before knowing that I will receive the money . When I read the Mpesa message I just rang my wife and instructed her to slaughter a hen because this called for celebration ! My dream of constructing a bigger house was now materialising . I spent $150 for wood , $90 for iron sheets and $80 for labour . Just like that I was able to build myself a new house ! Thanks to Give Directly , I now own two houses ! I bought this motorbike on a loan of $1,700 , so I do pay in instalments . I used $110 to pay part of the loan . Although you gave me a phone , I needed a smart phone to access the internet and even apply for jobs , hence I bought a phone worth $70 , I'm glad I can now access the internet anywhere anytime . I also paid school fees for my two siblings who are in primary school , this was $30 . Finally I spent $20 on shopping for basic household items like food and soap ."

"I was preparing charcoal when I received a message alert . When I read the message , I was so happy because Give Directly had send me the second amount ! I have four primary school going children who had school fees arrears of $120 , the first thing I did was to clear it . I was so relieved that my children could now go to school without the fear of being sent back home for school fees . I have always desired to practice livestock farming and this was my chance ! I spent $150 on five goats and I'm hope that they multiply so that I can later sell them and pay school fees . I used $50 to start a small business where I sell 'omena' , I know with this we can not lack money for small basic needs . My house needed some roof renovation so I bought iron sheets worth $120 and $60 labour for the work to be done . My children and I wanted to have the good feeling of wearing new clothes and so I used $40 to buy clothes for everyone in the family . I spent the balance , $20 , on buying maize floor daily ."

"There has been a lot of positive change that came about as a result of receiving this transfer. Most important of all these changes is the peace of mind that came with it. I feel very peaceful and happy seeing the investments that I have made with GiveDirectly funds. Buying a piece of land, getting a bed and a mattress for my children and even the food that I bought makes me so happy. I no longer have to go out for long hours to do the casual jobs and charcoal selling that I normally do just go make ends meet. I was also able to clear some little amount of pending school fees for one of my children and all these brought so much relief for us as a family. I feel so much happy and indebted to GiveDirectly for enabling me accomplish all these."

"Give Directly is clearly eradicating poverty in this country , and this is commendable . We had a lot of problems , our houses used to flood with rains , most people did not have beddings . Right now my village is shining with new houses . I do not know how to thank you . I'm so grateful that I now own a house . Please you have nothing to improve on , just continue helping people everywhere you go ."

"I have no greater goal in life than to see all my children succeed. Being a single parent and jobless at the same time, where will I get the money to set big goals? You know everything needs money. Maybe one thing that I want to accomplish next year is to make sure that to of my children, who for their K.C.P.E this year, will be able to join secondary school next year. It will be my greatest joy to see my children complete their studies. I need around $200 but I cannot lie, I do not know where I'll get this money from."

"I am excited at the thought of possibly starting a thrift shop where I will sell second hand clothes. This will allow me to be financially stable and provide for my family in a more sustainable manner, as well as ensure that they can complete their education."

"Five goats, all female was my first buy with the GiveDirectly funds. As a casual labourer earning $5 per day , on the days when I do get a job, it's hard to explain how long it would have taken for me to have the disposable income to have bought those goats for cash. The rest I mainly allocated to food and upkeep, with bulk going towards paying school fees for my 6 kids. The first five all attend Mlagoni Primary School, and all pay $25 per term for tuition, while the last born goes to Tumaini Academy and pays $3 per term for their tuition. The eldest is in Class 8, Two are in Grade 3,Grade 2, One is Grade 1and the youngest is in PP1. GiveDirectly truly has been a blessing to us as a household."

"The transfers from GiveDirectly couldn't have come at a better time. I had recently had a stroke, leaving the left side of my body in partial paralysis. I had to go to Kilifi to seek specialised help. These funds were instrumental in servicing my medical bills and purchasing my medication. Prior to my stroke I used to till our 4 acre farm, growing maize, wheat and other cereals, but since my illness hit, I haven't been able to do so. That has left my mason husband, who works at Bamba Centre, as the sole bread winner in the home. While the treatment has helped, he still has to cater for our Grade 4, Grade 3 and three Grade 2 children, for whom $ 21,each, is paid for by my husband and by God's grace, GiveDirectly. While they all study at Mariani Primary, it has been a struggle convincing the school to bear with us while we try to figure out our finances. We truly appreciate what GiveDirectly has done for us."