"I bought a cow, paid school fees for my children, I've also bought a piece of land as well."

"The challenges that we are having mostly include not having an assurance of where the next meal will come from. We are peasants and relay on subsistence farming and casual labour. In cases where it's a dry season or the food is not ready in the garden, we hardly get enough food for the day, thus sometimes sleeping hungry. Also, the area that we are sleeping in is risky and surrounded by stones where some roll from uphill. We there fore sleep in fear and worries, thinking anytime rolling stones may cover my home. Recently, in May 2023, a rolling stone came from a few metres up and destroyed the kitchen that i was constructing. This has gotten me worried as anytime they may hit my house, and yet i do not have anywhere else to go to."

"After achieving the goals I had established for this move, I came up with an entrepreneurial objective. I want to purchase a piece of land and construct some rental houses once I have some money. After recognizing that rental properties do not underperform in terms of revenue when they are well-managed and have a guaranteed monthly income, this idea was born. By doing this, I will have a source of revenue from the rental collection, which will allow me to provide for the daily and essential requirements of my family while also being able to take care of myself."

"Seating, eating as well as sleeping on the floor with empty sacks as bedding was not giving me peace of mind. Upon getting this transfer, I opted to buy some furniture for my house since it was barely empty. I bought a three-seater sofa set for $250, a standard modern bed and a mattress for $100, a table for $40, and a television for $60. I did this so that I could also have a comfortable life which was my desire. Currently, I am very happy that I have a nice sleeping place and I no longer wake up tired as I used to before. I am also confident to welcome and host visitors at my place since I have some chairs where they can seat unlike before. It was shameful once I receive visitors I had to borrow some chairs from neighbors or offer the visitors some logs to seat on. In addition to that, I have the privilege of watching some news and other entertaining programs in my house after buying a television. I am no longer behind the news as I used to be courtesy of GiveDirectly."

"My long-term goal is to launch an M-pesa business where people may conduct financial transactions. I had this idea after conducting extensive research, which revealed that residents of my area drive farther to use M-pesa services. Since individuals send and receive money every day, I am confident that before the year is out, I will have started this business and it will be successful."

"I believe GiveDirectly does more than just good. I never received any help that would have allowed me to purchase the things I needed, such as a bed, house supplies, a cow, or even the materials to build a house. This is something to be grateful for. I cannot see what GiveDirectly is doing incorrectly. It is crucial to aid those who are struggling with poverty in finding consolation."

"Being without a toilet at home is incredibly dishonorable and unclean. Not only am I disgusted with having to take people to a neighbor's restroom when they need to use the restroom, but I also get embarrassed walking to the bush for nature calls. Therefore, once I have some money, I plan to build one. I have a savings plan from my occasional work that will allow me to construct a pit latrine before the year is through."

"When I received the second transfer, purchasing food was my primary priority. This is because I am unable to defend myself. I mean, my spouse suffered for a time and eventually went blind, but I'm unwell and getting older. Apart from that, we never had kids, so our only source of support is from well-wishers. When I received the second transfer, I spent half of it to construct a modest, safe house for us because the one we had was about to collapse. I utilized the other half to maintain the household. Despite my gratitude for the help given by GiveDirectly, I regret that there was no place for savings or investment due to the current state of poverty."

"On my way to school at approximately 3 p.m., I got a message on my phone. I used to have trouble paying tuition fees as a married university student. The community used to provide money for my schooling, but as time went on, it was harder for them because of our area's poverty rate and the protracted drought that devastated us. When I checked the message, I saw that GiveDirectly had sent me some money. My heart was filled with gratitude and joy. Although I was unable to ululate because of the circumstances, I did so loudly within. The fact that I had discovered a solution to some of the issues I was experiencing was what caused all of this joy."

"The primary change brought about by the GiveDirectly transfer is the elimination of hunger. At first, our family went without meals for up to two days a week. I used to work sporadically at casual jobs that did not help me make ends meet since some days would go by without finding a job. We are content right now as a family since GiveDirectly has provided us with access to food."