"I was at home with my granddaughter when I received a message notification on my phone. Since I cannot read due to my advanced age, I did not know what the message was about. I asked my granddaughter to review the contents of the message, and she confirmed that Give Directly had sent the first cash transfers. Honestly, that was one of the happiest days of my life. The amount of joy that filled my heart was beyond words. I knew that the money would help me build the house that I had long desired to construct."

"In the coming year and beyond, my main goal is to work towards building a new house closer to my children's homes, as I have been feeling insecure living alone. The purchase of the five sheep with the final transfer from GiveDirectly was a strategic investment to secure my future. I plan to take care of these sheep and grow my livestock holdings, which will provide me with a source of income and security. With my children's support, I intend to use the savings I have set aside to construct a new house that will bring me closer to my family. This change is crucial to me, as, in my old age, I long for such company and the comfort of being closer to my children."

"In the coming year and beyond, my main goal is to buy a water tank. Fetching water from the available wells has become increasingly challenging with my current age, and with the assistance of my daughter, we've resorted to ordering water through motorbikes, which can be costly. Additionally, I prioritize monitoring my health and regularly visit the hospital for check-ups. To support these efforts, I engage in robe-making and use the proceeds to purchase water, as having a convenient and reliable water source is essential for my well-being and daily life. This is what I hope to accomplish in the near future to improve my living conditions."

"GiveDirectly does well by giving cash and doing so unconditionally. People like us who do not have the energy to do odd casual jobs were able to relax and have a good time during this period that we received the cash. The money came at a time that we were almost hopeless and we thank God that we got to have hope again. With this cash, we felt our lives as old people was given the dignity that it deserves."

"I used $150 from my last transfer of $450 to purchase cement that was meant to improve my house by cementing the floor. I also used another $100 to purchase iron sheets and other building materials for my newly constructed store. The remaining amout of $200 was ised to erect gathers in my house and to buy food for my family as well. I am so impressed and delighted about the water tank that I bought with the hep of GiveDirectly transfers. This has seen me have enough water in my compound unlike before when I would have to rely on a motorcycle to get clean drinking water in my compound. I could not travel for long distances in search of clean drinking water because of my old age. I am extremely happy that I am no longer prone to waterborne diseaseses that would come about as a result of using insafe water for local household consumption. Once I get enough money, I will be able to use the money to cement the floor of my house to make it more comfortable and easier to maintain."

"While I do hold aspirations, my financial constraints hinder me from crafting long-term plans. I am currently embracing life day by day, entrusting my future to the hands of God for its brightness. Most importantly, I find contentment in what I have achieved thus far."

"Receiving the transfer was the most significant blessing I have encountered in my life, primarily because of the urgent needs we faced. Our long-held dream of having a pit latrine within our household had been affected by financial constraints. We relied on farming and my husband's income from a small retail shop, which barely covered our basic necessities, particularly the hefty school fees for our three children in secondary school. However, upon receiving the transfer, I spent $130 to construct a latrine, a luxury we did not have as we were accustomed to relieving ourselves in the open. Additionally, I used $320 to purchase a water tank, as my health prevented me from carrying water on my back. The impact of this milestone on my life has been profound, and I am immensely grateful for the remarkable improvements it has brought about."

"Food insecurity is the challenge I am currently facing in life. My husband and I are aged and we are living alone. Children live at Mombasa and they rarely visit. This makes our immunity lower hence growing weak."

"Food insecurity is the challenge I am currently facing in life. I am a widow living alone in the compound. My husband died so many years ago and after the death of the husband all the children moved to other areas with their family and left me alone. I do casual jobs but due to my age I cannot do hard activities thus most of the time I go without food. I have really grown weak."

"Lack of reliable job is the challenge I am currently facing in life. I do house roofing as my job in the community. For the last six months , I have not secured any job in the area and this makes me struggle in life. My family has gone without food because of lack of job for me."