"GD helped us to leave from our poverty because we got food to eat and we got clothes to wear for those who didn't have them. Everything that GiveDirectly has done is good and I don't see anything to change for what it is doing, it should keep doing that."

"At around 3:00 p.m, I received a message containing the wonderful news that I had received the first transfer from GiveDirectly, as expected. At the time, I was on my way back home from the shopping center, all by myself. Upon receiving the message, I hurriedly made my way back home to share the good news with my family. Once I arrived, I excitedly informed them, and my children were thrilled to hear that they would now all be able to attend school together, unlike before when some had to go first."

"For all those years, my five children have been straining, especially at night when given school assignments, simply because of the darkness. They were forced to use the light from the firewood, which used to affect them because of the soot it produced. Therefore, I opted to prioritize purchasing a solar panel for them, which cost almost $20. It is now a relief, which I feel is motivation for them to do well in school. Apart from that, my house was in bad shape. During the rainy season, we had to sit on our beds together with my children until the rain stopped. I therefore had to buy the materials, like iron sheets and building poles, which cost $20. As a mother, I feel great now for finally being able to shelter in a decent place like the rest. Also, there is privacy, which has equally restored our self-esteem. I also paid fees for my five children, who are in the neighboring primary school. I always feel bad to see them out of school due to the arrears. This was, however, a result of my being unskilled and only surviving on subsistence farming, which has not been reliable. I am thankful to GiveDirectly for putting a smile on their faces again. With the remaining cash, I have been buying food and sorting out any pending bills."

"I had just arrived home from a school meeting when I noticed that my phone had been turned off. Upon switching it on, I discovered that there were two new messages. After going through them, I felt so happy to learn that they were Mpesa messages from GiveDirectly. I informed my spouse about the good news and started planning how we would withdraw the cash and pay the school fees for our kids."

"My husband runs a butchery in the town center and I am a farmer, and together we have been blessed with eight children. When I received my transfer, I made farming my top priority since it is our primary source of income, and it was also planting season. As a result, I spent $280 on planting maize and fencing my land. Following that, I paid $100 towards my children's school fees, and the remaining $70 was spent on food items. The timely assistance from GiveDirectly has had a significant impact on our standard of living, and we are extremely grateful since financial constraints had previously made all this impossible."

"The loss of my cattle due to the prolonged drought in my area was a great disappointment. Thankfully, the cash assistance has given me a glimmer of hope to venture back into livestock rearing. As I consider restarting my livestock enterprise, I have decided to focus on goats. Goats are known for their resilience and ability to adapt to challenging environments, making them a suitable choice given the persistent drought in my area. By owning goats, I believe I can build a more sustainable and resilient livestock portfolio."

"If I didn't have to press financial constraints, particularly in terms of food, I would have allocated a significant portion of the cash transfers towards creating a stable income stream, such as acquiring goats for rearing. Currently, I carry a heavy burden of responsibilities as I have two wives and grandchildren to support. However, despite these obligations, I still have a strong desire to invest in goats. I recognize the potential of goat rearing as a sustainable income-generating activity. This will enable me to better support the education of my grandchildren and contribute to the overall well-being of my household."

"In the coming years, my main aspiration is to provide financial support for the education of my two grandchildren. Their parents currently lack a stable source of income to fully meet their educational needs. Additionally, I have a daughter who recently enrolled in a beauty college, and I am determined to support her by paying her fees. I believe that the cash transfers I receive will serve as a valuable tool in making these aspirations a reality. With this support, I am optimistic that I can make a positive impact on their lives and contribute to their success and well-being."

"With the ongoing rains, my goal is to cultivate enough crops on my three-acre land to provide sufficient meals for my family by the end of each growing season. To accomplish this, I understand that I will need to hire additional help during planting and harvesting times to ensure a successful crop yield. In addition to supporting agricultural activities, another important objective is to cover the cost of my monthly hypertension medication. Currently, I rely on my son for financial assistance in purchasing the medication, but I aspire to become self-sufficient in this regard. The cash transfers I receive provide a valuable opportunity to invest in these objectives and work towards achieving them."