"It was around 3 am when I saw the Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. I was overwhelmed with joy because I knew my life will never be the same again."

"My expectation in the near future is to be a successful farmer and improve on the proceeds of my farm products. I believe that once I invest and improve my farm produce I will get more income which will improve my living standards. I will be able to meet most of my family's needs. I would comfortably pay my children's school fees, ensure they eat well and never lack anything. In other words, my life will be better."

"I received the message notification on my phone at around 2 o'clock in the morning. On checking to confirm who could have sent a message at that hour, I realized that it was from GiveDirectly informing me that my first transfer had finally been sent. I was thankful to them and happy for the financial help from them. My family also rejoiced upon hearing the good news."

"The biggest hard I face is poverty. My spouse passed on when both of us are HIV positive. Iam sickly with no income generating activity , so life is really not moving well. Some times I try doing hard Labour inorder to get money but I end up falling sickly."

"Receiving this money means that I will be able build a better iron-roofed house. Iam current sleeping in grass thatched house but the roof is so opened . Whenever it rians I just stand in small spots to a void rainny water. This is too inconveniencing since I do not enough sleep some nights."

"Receiving this money means I will be able to build my own house. The house that I currently sleep in was built by my father and I feel I should also own one since I am now a married man."

"The biggest hardship that I am faced with is poverty. Taking care of a family is so hard based on the fact that there is no clear money source. The piece of land that is available for us to cultivate is too small to accommodate everyone's need. Only little is done on the side of farming. I do casual labour mostly to provide for my family. Some times I even wonder if it shall be well with us."

"The biggest hardship that I am faced with is lack of money. I have two children who are of school going age. Providing school uniforms, books and all other education needs is done by me yet I am a single parent. I do not have any income generating activity because the little that I am able to earn from casual labour can not be enough for me to start any. Life is just a hassle."

"The biggest hardship I have faced in my life is lack of money to help cater for all my necessities like utilities, social life and buying agricultural inputs."

"I am a widow who my husband left with a small house and with children. So, when I receive this money, I will build a house that can accommodate me with the children. I am looking at an ironsheets house because it is the one that can withstand all weather conditions. I will also buy some cows with hope that they will reproduce and multiply so that I sell and do other things like buying land, paying children's school fees, food and medical care."