"For as long as I can remember I have really wanted to do renovations to my house, especially after the foundation withered away due to rainfall, bearing in mind it is a mud house. Apart from that, the iron sheets were also completely worn out and had a lot of holes on them no wonder I was considering the repairment. Therefore, when I withdrew the money I went to head to spend KES 2,000 by purchasing a pair of iron sheets. I then proceeded to spend the balance of KES 1,000 on nutrition by purchasing five packets of maize flour and also buying drinking water since it was scarce."

"For the longest time I've really wanted to renovate my house especially the foundation and the pillars since it is a mud house and the foundation is not quite great after it was swept away with rain. Therefore upon receiving the transaction I paid KES 700 to a mason for him to start fixing up my house gradually. I then proceeded to use the balance of KES 2,300 in ensuring that I looked into nourishment for my family and I since it was quite a challenge with the ongoing drought. I ended up acquiring five packets of maize flour, a kilogram of beans and sugar respectively, groceries and lastly drinking water because it was scarce and another problem."

"I spent my transfer to start poultry rearing by purchasing 3 chickens for $10, this is a reliable source of income for myself. Previously, I was a housewife depending on my husband who is a casual laborer doing house construction. Starting poultry rearing has transformed me into being self-reliant, I can now cater for any small financial challenge without depending on my spouse's earnings. I also used $10 to support the education of my firstborn who is in junior school. With the remaining amount, I bought food and water for the family."

"I spent $26 on purchasing food and other basic household items that we were missing. Due to prolonged drought in our area, we have not been able to get a good harvest. I am so happy because we were able to get enough food. The remaining $6 I spent on purchasing water for domestic use Due to drought in the area there is no water. We are required to walk for quite a long distance to get clean water for drinking and domestic use. This is so tedious and time-consuming. I am so happy because I was able to provide this for my family."

"I spent $4 on paying school fees for my children in primary school. They are now studying well without being sent home. Besides that, I spent $10 on purchasing food and other household items that we were missing at home not forgetting the $2 that I used to buy water. Due to the prolonged drought in our area, we do not have water hence we buy from vendors which are so costly. The remaining amount of money I spent on purchasing chicken feeds and medication since I was not feeling well. I am so happy because GiveDirectly has changed our living standards."

"In my honest opinion, what GiveDirectly is doing well is giving out financial support to the less privileged in society. Through the census, it was clear that our village is the most affected by drought which has led to the death of animals and plantations. Therefore, getting food and water for families has been the greatest challenge for the community. GiveDirectly has given us the freedom to choose how to spend money. As for me, I am so elated that I am now able to pay school fees for my children much more easily than I used to do before I received these transfers. Many of us from the village have agreed to join Chama and merry-go-round to help facilitate our children's education without any struggle.  I feel very happy to be part of GiveDirectly's beneficiaries."

"In my opinion, what GiveDirectly is doing well is issuing out phones to us. This improved communication between us and GiveDirectly. It has also made communication between our families who are staying in other towns very easy. The standard of living also improved since the most challenge we faced was having food due to prolonged drought. This is no longer the case as many opted for food since the transfers were given unconditionally, and we had the freedom to spend the transfer. We currently can afford to buy water which was not possible before receiving the transfers. However, GiveDirectly should consider sending out the transfers at the same to avoid unnecessary misconceptions, those who receive their transfer late after others sometimes feel that they have been withdrawn from the program which is why they were delayed. "

"For most of the seasons, I am a farmer growing maize, cowpies leaves, and green grams. But during the drought season that we are currently facing, it is expensive to get water for irrigation. I have ventured into a new business, burning timber for charcoal and selling it at $5 a sack. I have eight children that depend on me and it has been difficult to pay school fees for all of them at once. Most days the school sends them home and they miss a lot in school. I use Givedirectly money to buy food for them as I save money to pay other bills."

"I own a grocery shop business where I sell vegetables such as kale, onions, potatoes, and tomatoes. On a good day, I get $10 as the profit which helps me buy food, water and save the rest for rainy days. Four of my children are currently in school and paying school fees for them has been a challenge. When I received the transfer, I spent $20 on school arrears, $ 5 on food, and $5 for stocking up my business. The profits from the shop help me take care of my five children. I separated from my husband, and currently, I am the breadwinner."

"Three years have passed since my wife's health began to deteriorate. I sold all of my possessions, including the livestock, to help pay the medical bills and make sure she received the best care possible. For a while, her condition got better, but she still occasionally has lapsing episodes. She was rushed to the hospital after her condition deteriorated the day after I received my transfer. I transferred $10 from my account to help pay the hospital's bill. After that terrifying episode of lapsing, I'm relieved to see her back at home and doing well. I used the $20 transfer that was left over after paying for my wife's treatments to purchase food, firewood, and water for my own use at home. I am too old to work, so I am dependent on my son, a casual worker in Mombasa town. It was pragmatic of me to use the remaining funds to purchase food and lessen the burden on him given the numerous responsibilities he has in caring for my wife and I. I'm relieved that I have enough food to last me for the next three weeks."