"GiveDirectly did an excellent job by providing cash transfers instead of other forms of aid like tangible goods. This allowed me to prioritize and address my most urgent needs. I truly appreciated the direct transfer system, which ensured the money reached our accounts without intermediaries. The process was smooth, and I commend the team for making it possible."

"In the coming year, my main priority is to focus on my four children who are still in school. Their education is my responsibility, and I want to ensure they complete their studies without struggles. Each month, I will set aside money from the transfers to pay their school fees, buy learning materials, and support their needs. Once they finish school, I will shift my full attention to livestock farming, specifically sheep rearing. Through experience, I have discovered that sheep have a higher value than goats, making them a better investment for the future. By gradually building my flock, I hope to create a steady source of income that will sustain my family in the long run. This plan gives me hope because once my children are educated and independent, I will focus on expanding my farm and securing a better future for us."

"After receiving transfers from GiveDirectly, I used $200 to purchase land where I aspire to build a home. Currently, I am living with my parents after they moved to another place. I feel happy now because my three children and I will finally have a place of our own. As I am not properly married, having a place to call home has been challenging, and I often feel like a burden to my family. Additionally, I paid $25 for my children's school fees. This has been a struggle for me since I work for someone who often delays payment and pays a small amount. It was a difficult situation, but now that I have received the transfers, I feel relieved knowing that none of my children will be sent home for unpaid school fees."

"When the officers came, they spoke to me nicely and with respect, which made me feel valued. They asked us questions in a respectful manner and took time to understand our plans for the money. I appreciated that they first asked for permission before speaking to us, showing their professionalism and kindness. Their approach made the entire process smooth and comfortable for everyone in the village. I did not see anything bad from GiveDirectly, and everything was handled well. I hope they continue with the same spirit of helping people and treating them with dignity."

"I used to rely on charcaol burning to meet my family's daily needs, but it was never enough for all of us. Life was tough, and we were cramped in one-room house with limited space for my family of six. When i received my first recent transfers, I decided to invest it in building a two-room house for us. It was not a easy decision , but i knew it would make a huge difference. Now, my family is living comfortably in a spacious and secure home, and i feel so relieved to have made that step towards a better life for us all."

"My goal for the coming years is to focus on both livestock and crop farming, as I believe it is the best way to sustain my family. I have already harvested five bags of beans, which has motivated me to continue farming and expand my agricultural activities. Livestock keeping will also be a priority because it provides a steady source of income and food, such as milk and eggs. I plan to reinvest my earnings into purchasing more animals and improving my farm to increase productivity. Agriculture is my hope for the future, and I am determined to work hard despite any challenges that may come my way. With dedication and proper planning, I am confident that farming will help me achieve financial stability and improve my family's well-being."

"Life has been very challenging, especially after the floods destroyed my farm, leaving me without any harvest. I used $300 from my transfer to buy one cow and two goats because I did not own any livestock before. Milk has been very expensive, costing $1 per liter, which is not even enough for drinking and making tea. By having my own cow, I will no longer have to buy milk, and in the future, I can sell some to earn extra income. The goats will also multiply and provide me with financial security in the long run. This investment gives me hope for a better future. I also spent $50 on school fees because I used to depend on my children who are employed, as well as county bursaries to support the payments. However, after the floods destroyed my farm, I lost my main source of income, making it difficult to afford school fees. Furthermore, I used $60 to buy food since we had nothing left to eat after the floods. Farming was my primary source of food, but with everything destroyed, I had to rely on this transfer to feed my family. Buying food gave me peace of mind because hunger had become a daily struggle. Now, my children and I can eat without worrying about where the next meal will come from. I also purchased a small water tank for $33 because when it rains, all the water goes to waste since I had no way to store it. Walking long distances to fetch water has always been exhausting, so having a tank will make my life much easier. Lastly, I bought bedsheets because, although I have a good mattress, I had no proper sheets to cover it. These small but essential things have improved my life in many ways. I have three children still at home, while the others are married, and I am a widow who depends solely on farming. Despite the challenges, I feel grateful for the support that has helped me regain stability."

"When I received my first transfer from GiveDirectly, I knew what my priority was. I have a small kiosk made of iron sheets, which always made me worry about theft and security. My dream has been to build a proper block structure to keep my shop and items safe. With the transfer, I spent $120 on blocks and another $120 on sand, taking the first step toward making this dream a reality. I am now waiting for my second transfer to buy the remaining materials and begin construction. I am truly grateful to GiveDirectly for helping me secure my business."

"When i received my most recent transfers, i knew exactly how i wanted to use the money. For years, i had been carrying the responsibility of proving for my family, especially with my husband being blind and unable to contribe to many of the daily tasks. Our house had always been cramped, and we had never been able to build a proper home due to finacial struggles. This time, though, i decide it was finally time to make change. I used the money to begin building the house we had always dreamed of, creating a space where we could all live comforatbly. Along with the house, i built a pit latrine, something i had wanted for years but never had the funds to peovide. It felt good to finally take care of something so essential for my family's well-being. Looking back, i am proud of how i spent that money, knowing that each decision i made would improve our lives and give us a fresh start."

"My house is a little old, made of mud, and I have always dreamed of having a better house made of bricks. This year, I have made a plan to join a SACCO and start saving a portion of my transfers from GiveDirectly there. My goal is to accumulate enough shares so that I can access a substantial loan. With this loan, I will be able to purchase the building materials I need to construct the house I have always wanted. As a mason, I will be able to use my expertise to cut down on the labor costs, which will significantly help in managing the expenses of building. I truly hope that by the end of this journey, I will have a beautiful, solid house for my family and me. This will bring me so much happiness and peace of mind. I am deeply grateful for the support I have been receiving from GiveDirectly—it has been a great help, and I feel encouraged and motivated to keep moving forward with my plans."