"Before we even got our first transfer, we had plans to build a decent house since the one we had was small and almost falling. We started by buying a few materials with the first transfer in preparation to commence building. With the second transfer, we embarked on the journey and I am glad to report that it was a success we now have a beautiful two-roomed house that can comfortably accommodate my family of eight children. The total building cost was $300. Thanks to GiveDirectly, I was able to replace our old, ripped mattress and bed with new ones costing $140 and we no longer wake up with bodily aches. Some of my children had been sent home due to school fees arrears which had accumulated to $90 and thus we had it cleared for them to continue with their studies. My husband who is a casual laborer has been the sole breadwinner in the family since I am currently not working."

"We welcomed GiveDirectly into the village with great happiness and can attest that our expectations of their delivery did not disappoint. I believe everyone concurs with a great job done in every household with no bias or discrimination. I have no complaints since the monetary support I received met most of the family needs I had planned."

"I intend to start a merry-go-round with my fellow neighbors and friends where I will be able to save up to expand my business. Later on, I would like to start up a restaurant. With these two businesses running concurrently, I will be in a good position to continue taking care of my three children paying for their school fees and other basic needs comfortably."

"I commend GiveDirectly for the job well done and the whole village is happy with the good deed. The financial assistance came a long way in ensuring that the life of all villagers was changed. We are forever grateful for everything and we will continue preaching the good work of this organization."

"Our household's main source of income has been surplus produce from subsistence farming. The proceeds from selling excess produce from our farm cover a portion of my four children's school fees as well as other household expenses. GiveDirectly transfers have always come in handy and cushioned us whenever we have low harvest. I am currently saving $10 monthly in an informal savings group with nine other members, which I hope to use to establish livestock farming in the coming year. I hope to buy goats and chickens, and after breeding them, I plan to sell the offspring and use the proceeds to pay my children's school fees, clothes, and other necessities for my family of seven."

"As of last August, I decided to start saving up money so that I could finally have enough to build a proper home for myself and my children. The house I live in at the moment is almost on the verge of collapsing, and that is what made me want to build another one. Therefore, before the end of the year, I am planning to have accomplished this. Apart from that, I also happen to have five kids who are pursuing an education, so I will use some of the funds to pay for their tuition fees as well."

"My goal is to start a tailoring business. Since I already own a sewing machine and I have the tailoring expertise, what I need right now is a shop space and materials to kickstart the business. My dream would be to run the enterprise in Mombasa town because the demand is higher there than it is in the village where I stay. To accomplish this, I will need approximately $100 for the materials and shop rent as starting capital. I will be happy if the cash transfers will enable me to implement the business in the next three months. At least this will give me a reliable source of income that I could rely on to support my husband in taking care of our four children."

"First off, I would like to appreciate Give Directly for the continued support it provides us through cash transfers each month; our lives are transforming. My new plan is to renovate my house's tin roof, which has corroded over the last twenty years. It has these perforations that let water into the house whenever it rains, dampening the space and exposing my family to cold infections. Therefore, to   implement the renovations, I need to assemble at least 32 pieces of iron sheets, each of which costs roughly $10. In the short run, my aim is  to acquire two iron sheets through each of the upcoming monthly transfers until I have enough for the project."

"I've been having trouble sleeping because of my room's condition, especially the aging roof. The majority of its components are holed and leak whenever it rains. Given my current financial situation, I can only afford to replace a portion of the roof, which will require 10 pieces of iron sheets. I want to finish this before the year is over. Once I've done that, I intend to make an investment in the future by buying at least four goats to raise. I intend to sell some of them after they have given birth in the future in order to pay for my kids' education expenses. Although I rely on subsistence farming, I do not make much money from it, and my son typically provides for us. He has three children, his wife in addition to us, so we can't entirely rely on him. The goats will therefore be very useful in the future."