"Despite the fact that I received a message with no indication that it came from GiveDirectly, I was easily convinced that it was the transfer because the amount indicated in the message was exactly what I expected. I was at home at the time, with my children and other relatives, with whom I couldn't share the news. I later shared it with my family in the evening as we discussed our goals and then withdrew when everything was in place."

"We have been enjoying lighter moments in our households with better bonding over the last few months as a result of shared responsibilities and constant planning among my family members. I had been working alongside my elder son, who has proven to be excellent at planning and who is extremely respectful of both his father and me."

"My household had been reliant on a rechargeable lamp that could only light one room. Moving out at night was terrifying because it was always dark, and I had wished to connect electricity to my house. I spent $460 connecting electricity after receiving the first transfer, including labor charges. I am relieved that my apartment is now well-lit and that I don't have to move the lamp from one room to the next. I can also charge my phone, plug in my radio, and use other electrical appliances in the house. In addition, I purchased a $53 mattress and sand to use in furnishing the floor of my house."

"I spent $125 on new bedding and a new bed after receiving the first transfer. For a long time, I had been sleeping on old rags on the floor, which had caused severe back pain. I was concerned about the potential health consequences, but now I am grateful that GiveDirectly has changed my story. I also spent $40 on expanding and bringing in more birds to increase egg production and thus generate additional income. I also spent $65 on new clothing and shoes for my family of five, $5 on a new storage bag that I am currently using to store my clean clothes, $5 on new utensils, and $20 on school fees for my three children. In addition, for $78, I purchased a solar lighting system that included a battery and three bulbs and spent the remainder on food items such as rice, sugar, baking flour, wheat flour, and other items used during Christmas celebrations."

"We had been living in a small house built with various construction materials as a family of six, just to make a roof for my family. We had been living on my parents' land, which was still being subdivided among the siblings before erecting a semi-permanent structure. I was relieved when I was given my share, and after receiving the first transfer, I went out and bought construction materials, including 30 iron sheets for $10 each, three bags of cement for $20, and building poles for $30. I have not begun construction yet because I need to pay the construction costs and purchase additional materials that are still missing. My husband and I have been doing casual labor for a pittance, barely enough to support our family of six. We agreed to spend a portion of this first transfer on a motorcycle. We were fortunate to obtain a used motorcycle from a neighbor who was selling it after being involved in an accident and being unable to ride it any longer. We agreed to pay in installments, with the first payment of $100. We are currently renovating it before using it to provide transportation services. In addition, I used the remaining funds to buy food for my family to supplement the wages we were receiving from casual labor."

"When I received a message from GiveDirectly confirming the receipt of the first transfer, I was overjoyed. Despite the fact that I was unable to identify the sender by name, the amount indicated in the Mpesa message provided enough of a hint to identify the source. I was with my mother and my spouse at the time, and they were both overjoyed with the news when I showed it to them. I had everything planned out, and my family and I had been waiting to get started on our plans."

"Due to the hot season, my plants ( bananas have not yielded enough) have all dried up.My need is lack of seeds ."

"Currently the challenge I am facing is not being able to provide the necessary needs like food, clothes for my family. At the moment I don't have any income generating activity from which I would have the ability to reach them clothing, food and medical attention."

"In my opinion, Give directly did well in enrolling everyone into the program without asking for payments. Furthermore, the officers were very polite and friendly. Everything went well as far as the enrollment process is concerned. I recommend they continue supporting the poor households in the community."

"In November of last year, I signed up for a tailoring class to learn the trade that will enable me to support myself. My parents work as casual laborers and make meager profits from the sale of charcoal. The responsibility of providing for me and and my five siblings is a huge burden on my parents. I therefore intend to use the transfers to pay for a tailoring course over the course of the next three months. I will finish the course at the end of the year, which will allow me to start my own business and help my other siblings as well."