"GiveDirectly did a great job by providing us with good advice on how to spend the money wisely. They encouraged us to make the most out of the support we received. I haven't noticed anything bad about their program; everything has been positive. The officers treated us with respect and genuinely wished us the best in our efforts. Furthermore, they were patient and explained everything clearly, which made us feel valued. I believe they should continue this approach and perhaps offer more workshops to help us further understand how to manage our resources effectively."

"In the coming years, I plan to open a business shop right at home so that I can earn profit without needing to go elsewhere. This will allow me to focus on growing the business steadily while staying close to my family. Alongside the shop, I want to continue farming, as it will support us with food and extra income. I believe this combination will not only improve our lives but also help secure a brighter future for my children by supporting their education. With the shop and farm together, we’ll have more stability and fewer financial worries. My goal is to create a strong foundation that will sustain us for years to come."

"Loneliness is the greatest challenge am currently facing.I am a teacher at Loruk primary school which is 15 kilometers from my home.I commute to school daily ,this is hectic and straineous for me because I have to do household chores and cook for myself later in the evening.Life has been challenging to me since the demise of my lovely wife in the year 2022.I am currently stranded and confused on wether to remarry or not.I have fears on restarting marriage life because my 4 children are now elderly, my last born is currently 20 years . The thought of having a baby at my age of 50 freaks me out a lot moreso since am now a grandfather.I am currently learning to let go of the good memories we had with my wife , (hough painful) so that my life can go on smoothly."

"GiveDirectly excels in delivering unconditional cash transfers to recipients. It acknowledges the diverse needs of individuals, empowering us to plan and make decisions that best suit our circumstances. Their effective follow-up approach ensures that the cash is spent wisely, and the positive impacts of these transfers are clearly visible in our communities. I believe there are no areas for improvement; rather, I want to congratulate GiveDirectly for their outstanding work. Please continue to provide this invaluable support to those in need!"

"GiveDirectly does well in delivering financial assistance directly to recipients through Mpesa, effectively eradicating the involvement of intermediaries. This approach ensures that the funds reach those in need while enhancing transparency. The officers involved in the program are respectful and humble, making recipients feel valued and supported. Additionally, having the money sent directly to our phones allows for easy access. During the initial meeting, we were educated about wise spending and cautioned against using the funds for illegal activities, which further promotes responsible use of the assistance. I have not identified any areas for improvement, as the program has been efficient and impactful."

"Together with my husband, we have been engaged in crop farming, but we have faced significant challenges due to the rampant drought in our area. For successful harvests, irrigation is essential, yet we often lack the necessary tools. Borrowing equipment has become our norm, and sometimes we struggle to access it when it is in use, which adversely affects our yields. For a long time, we have wanted to purchase our own irrigation tools, but financial constraints have held us back. With my final transfer, I am determined to buy a generator, which will not only enable us to irrigate our crops effectively but also expand our farming operations. We plan to plant throughout the seasons, maximizing our productivity. God willing, with the additional income generated from our expanded farm, we hope to open a kiosk to diversify our income streams. This diversification will provide us with a more stable financial foundation and help us withstand any future hardships."

"First, I want to express my gratitude to GiveDirectly; without their support, I truly do not know where I would be today. The unconditional nature of the cash transfers provided allowed me to plan according to my own needs, giving me the flexibility to make decisions that best suit my family's situation. The follow-up on these transfers encouraged me to spend wisely, which has led to positive outcomes for my household and the community at large. In my experience, I have not identified any areas for improvement. Continue your operations using the same approach."

"Living in a muddy-walled house had become increasingly difficult for me, especially this year when the heavy rains caused extensive damage. The walls deteriorated further, creating several holes; as a result, we had to manage our small kitchen with my daughter and two grandchildren. After receiving my second transfer from GiveDirectly, I used $350 from the funds to build a one room iron-sheet house. Now, we live in a decent home, a transformation I am truly grateful for. In addition, we also lacked proper clothing, so I spent $45 on our clothes, as it was essential to ensure that we had decent attire. Furthermore, I allocated $35 to purchase a bag of maize, which helped sustain us for a while, and spent an additional $20 on other food items. I am thankful for this support."

"After receiving my second transfer, I was finally able to improve our living situation. Previously, my family of five was crammed into a single room with an iron sheet roof and muddy walls. Our home was vulnerable, especially during the rains when the walls felt like they could collapse at any moment. Cooking outside was not only inconvenient but also unhygienic, and when it rained, we could not cook at all. With the $200 from my transfer, I built a one-room iron sheet house and a small kitchen, using some iron sheets I had already saved up for. In addition to improving our shelter, I wanted to secure our future, particularly concerning my children's school fees. I decided to invest in livestock by buying three female goats for $165, knowing they would multiply over time. As a crop farmer, I also allocated $70 for plowing and creating ridges for my next planting season. I plan to plant green grams next month, which I believe will provide a good yield. Food was a struggle. With the remaining money, I purchased half a bag of maize, as our previous maize crop was swept away by floods this year. Thank you, GiveDirectly."

"When I received my cash transfer, the first thing I thought of was expanding my small house. The roof was made of only four iron sheets, which made it cramped for our family. With $155, I bought six more iron sheets and nails and paid for labor to expand the house. I also added two more iron sheets to the roof, making the house much more spacious. Additionally, I spent $180 to buy three sheep. I wanted an investment that would constantly remind me of the support I received from GiveDirectly. These sheep represent a future source of income for us, and I am committed to taking good care of them. Food has always been a challenge for us, especially after we lost all our crops to the floods. My husband and I try to produce charcoal, but it’s not a reliable source of income. So, I used $63 to buy two bags of maize and set aside $10 for milling, which will sustain us for a while. I also decided to spend $30 to buy new clothes for each member of my family. It’s been a long time since we were able to do that because most of our income went toward immediate needs like food. Lastly, I spent the remaining $12 on household items like utensils and water containers, which we didn’t have enough of before. I am grateful for the changes this transfer has brought to our lives."