"I was at work doing casual labor, and I had left my phone charging. When I came back and switched it on, I heard a message notification, but since I don’t know how to read, I asked my children to read it for me. They told me it was money from GiveDirectly, and I couldn’t believe it—I felt so happy! The first thing that came to mind was how I could now finally buy furniture, something I had been dreaming of for a long time."

"When I received the cash transfer, my first thought was to help my brother in college. He had arrears of $100, and without clearing them, he couldn’t attend his classes. I knew how important it was for him to stay in school, so I took care of that immediately. I also had to support my niece, who is in Form 1. She had been sent home because of unpaid school fees, so I used $80 to settle her dues and get her back to school. Next, I decided to improve my living conditions. I spent $100 on a bed, two plastic chairs, a mattress, and some curtains because the ones I had were worn out, and I needed a fresh start. I also used $15 as a deposit for a pay-as-you-go solar system since I had been relying on a torch for lighting at night. Having proper light at home was a small but significant change. The rest of the money went into long-term investments. I bought construction metals for $30, planning to use them for building soon. I also used $100 to lease an acre of land where I’ll plant maize next year. This way, I’m hoping to increase my income and ensure food security. Every coin I spent was purposeful, addressing immediate needs while also securing my future."

"I woke up at 5 AM to switch on my phone, which I always turn off before going to bed, and the first thing I saw was a message saying I had received money from GiveDirectly! I couldn’t believe it—I was so excited. It was still early, and my children were getting ready for school, so I told them right away, and they were just as happy as I was. I’ve always wanted to own sheep, and the first thing that came to my mind was that now I could finally buy one!"

"In my old age, I am not able to fend for myself and have to rely on other people to provide for me. As a result, I sometimes sleep hungry when I don't find any help. This really makes me sad. I am however grateful because my children provide for me despite the hard economic times they are also facing."

"I work as a mechanic in Mombasa, but my limited earnings make it challenging to support my family. I rely on my GiveDirectly transfers alongside my job income to help cover rent, purchase food, and care for my loved ones. Due to my financial circumstances, I need to explore additional ways to generate income. I've been considering animal husbandry to increase my earnings. At present, I have 5 goats and around 20 chickens, which I can sell for extra cash during financial emergencies. In the upcoming year and beyond, I plan to invest more in goat farming. My goal is to acquire additional animals so they can breed and produce even more. This venture will provide me with financial security for the future, as I can sell the animals if I face any financial challenges to support my family."

"I received money from GiveDirectly, and I was impressed by how transparent they are about their processes. They didn’t hide anything from us; everything was clear and well explained. It felt good knowing exactly how they work and where the money comes from. What I appreciated the most was that I could spend the money in any way I wanted. This freedom allowed me to support my family and invest in things that truly mattered to us. Honestly, I don't see anything that needs to be changed. GiveDirectly has done a great job of making sure we understand everything. Their approach really empowers people like me to make choices that improve our lives. The trust they build with us is important, and I hope they continue to keep things as they are."

"GiveDirectly didn’t try to tell me what to do with the funds or pressure me into spending in a specific way. They genuinely believed in me and trusted that I would make the right choices for myself and my family. That trust meant a lot—it gave me confidence and allowed me to carefully plan and prioritize what we truly needed. I also appreciated how everything was explained in clear detail. The process was straightforward, and every question I had was answered fully. There was no confusion about how things would work, and I never felt unsure about what to expect. I don’t see anything that needs to be changed because they really took the time to ensure I understood the support and how to access it. This transparency made me feel respected and valued, and it showed me that GiveDirectly is truly committed to helping us in a way that uplifts rather than limits us."

"My primary goal is to attend college and study building and construction. With my parents out of work and relying on peasant farming, I’ve taken it upon myself to work hard in my second-hand clothing business to save for my college fees. I remain optimistic that I can reach this goal with the support from GiveDirectly. Once I've saved enough, I plan to pass my business on to my sister, who has finished high school but hasn’t found a way to enroll in college despite her passing grades. After I complete my course, I intend to help her with her college education."

"My goal is to build my own house within the next year and beyond. I've already purchased iron sheets, building poles, and some essential materials, which is a positive step forward. I just need a few more items to kick off the construction. My plan is to use my transfers to buy all the necessary materials and start the building as soon as possible. Right now, I'm in college pursuing a mechanics course, and I hope to finish in about a year. I also need to acquire some equipment to set up my workshop. Therefore, my plans include completing the construction of my house before using my transfers to invest in these tools. Ultimately, I aim to be employed for a while to save up for my own garage."

"When I received the money from GiveDirectly, they didn’t tell me how to spend it or try to map out my priorities for me. They just trusted that I knew best what my family needed. It reminded me that, even with limited resources, we are the ones who understand our needs most clearly. And having that freedom to decide was empowering; I could allocate the funds where they’d truly make a difference. Another thing I appreciated deeply was how they handled the payments for families. Every household was treated equally, including polygamous families like mine. Each wife received her own portion, which made it easier for us to make decisions tailored to our households. The process was transparent, and everything was clearly explained. Looking back, I can't think of anything they could improve. It was evident they respected us and cared for our well-being, which made all the difference."