"Earlier on after receiving our first transfer, we bought a water tank. It needed a safe place to be installed thus with the second transfer we bought gutters and cement that we could use to build a strong foundation where it would sit. The total cost of purchasing the needed materials plus paying the plumber was $300. From the remaining amount, I deposited $200 into my children’s school fees account, since they had arrears. For the rest $30 I bought foodstuff to feed my family for a while."

"I feel that everyone was treated fairly, a reason that no one complains to date but thankful for the generous support. I have nothing bad about the whole process and everyone in the village is still praising GiveDirectly for the generous support they gave us."

"Just like any other person in the village, I have nothing negative to say but am grateful that a lot has changed over the past few months due to the support from GiveDirectly. I appreciate everything and wish GiveDirectly would continue doing the same as they reach out to other people too."

"I intend to focus more on farming. Growing vegetables for home use and also selling the rest in the market. This will help substitute my husband’s salary. I have a lot of expectations for my farm's productivity this season and have been thinking of expanding my store to accommodate all that it has at the moment and also crop produce that I am yet to harvest."

"As the breadwinner of the family, I have to do a lot to make sure that all the basic needs are catered for, doing odd jobs to make ends meet. I intend to save money from what I make so that I can start a small business selling either vegetables or second-hand clothes. With this, I will be able to continue tending to my family’s needs as I take care of my sick husband."

"Fetching enough water every day from the river which is far away from our village has been so hard. This had been my responsibility all through as my husband is quite busy during the day and my one child is always in school until late in the evening. Ensuring that I avail enough water to enhance our cleanliness and also for home use has been a struggle. Buying water was quite costly as they would sell five jerricans for $30. Upon receiving the second transfer, we agreed with my husband to install tap water in our home. Buying all the materials needed and having it fixed cost us $500. We have two separate shops, one selling foodstuffs and the other one selling clothes and household stuff. In one of the shops, we do Mpesa services. I would say that the income we get from both shops has enabled us to educate our children comfortably and also to cater to other basic needs of the family. For the remaining amount of $50, I obtained foodstuff for my household."

"My goal in the next year is to build a new brick-walled and tin-roofed four-room house to accommodate my three co-wives and me. Our current shelter is in poor condition as the mud walls are almost collapsing and the tin roof is rusted and perforated, which lets in water whenever it rains. In the short range, the goal is to assemble the building materials first and then hire a mason later to bring the project to completion. Having already bought 10 pieces of iron sheets, my plan is to use each monthly transfer to buy at least two pieces. I will be very happy if the construction project succeeds in a year’s time."

"It has been difficult for me to raise a grandson in secondary school as a widow. Life wasn't simple for me because I'm a temporary worker. Since he was a year old, her mother abandoned him, I have been raising the boy. Unfortunately, I am still unaware of the mother's whereabouts. Despite the challenges of raising him, he was fortunate to receive sponsorship when he started high school. Even though providing for his necessities outside of school costs was still a tremendous burden on my shoulders, I was extremely appreciative. I now receive a monthly transfer from GiveDirectly, so there are a few things I want to get done before the year is over. I have been sleeping on rags and cartons. This was brought on by the fact that I had to deal with duties that required me to spend money I did not have. So that I can sleep properly in a good setting, I would like to have purchased a nice mattress and some bedsheets by the end of the year. In order for my grandchild to focus on his academics, I would also like to see him not be lacking some meals or his school uniform. In order to accomplish this, I decided to save at least $10 per month for the mattress because they cost about $50. For the remaining amount after deducting for saving, I make sure my grandchild is comfortable."

"I have six children who are still in school, and on occasion when I fail to pay their tuition due to lack of finances, they have to stay home for days or even weeks. My top objective right now is to make sure that I will use this month to pay their tuition so that they can continue attending school. Additionally, I want to pay a few people to assist me prepare my property so that I can cultivate during the rainy season and ensure that my family is well fed."

"The transfers have greatly helped to overcome the challenge of food shortage in my household. I have been surviving on casual jobs like burning and selling charcoal which does not pay much. I have two children currently in school and they all look to me for their school fees. My husband is also a casual labourer and at times he also fails to secure a job. I totally rely on the transfer to pay my children's fees to allow them comfortably continue with their studies. I have also been saving Ksh. 1000 every month in or local group. I am planning to save more money that will ensure I do some investments, like buying goats which do well in our drought-stricken region. They are assets to me and once they reproduce, I can sell the offspring to sort out my financial issues."