"In our locality, we have been affected by prolonged drought. This situation has subjected us to famine since food is scarce and its prices are extremely high. As soon as I confirmed my transfer receipt, I opted to buy 3 packets of 2kg maize flour. On that day, we had depleted food we had and I had no money for buying additional foodstuff. I am glad that out of the transfer, I was able to use KES 800 to start up a business dealing with the sale of foodstuff in the nearby market. From this business, I am assured of raising a net profit of KES 200 daily, which is relatively better and can comfortably support my family. Previously, I was relying on making and selling charcoal, a venture that was strenuous and less profitable."

"With the hike in fuel prices, my work as a tuk-tuk operator has been very unproductive lately. Before I would earn between KES 300 and KES 700 daily. But now, it has gone down to between KES 0 to KES 700. This has made it quite challenging to fend for my eight children, six of whom are in school.  Ever since I started receiving these funds, I made a point to save KES 1000 in the merry-go-round from here I can gather school fees for my children and also save for future needs. My eldest sibling recently fell ill. So, often, I would chip into my pocket to support his medical bills. Unfortunately, he succumbed. When I got my transfer, I did not have enough money to buy food for my children. Therefore, I opted to use the remaining KES 2000 to cover our meal budget."

"Following the unprecedented drought, we experienced last season, no one in my village was able to harvest anything. As a result, I had spent all of my meager earnings from the charcoal business on food. Unfortunately, when food prices began to rise, I had spent all of my savings. I considered spending my transfer on extra food as soon as I received it. Because food is a necessity, I considered spending some of the money on consumables that would last my family for a week."

"Since I received the transfer, I have noticed better performance in my wife's business. She runs a grocery business that had not been performing well due to a hike in food prices. However, when we were able to pump in some additional money, it generates a relatively better profit than before. Initially, she could realize a net profit of KES 150 however currently, she can make a net profit of KES 250. I am indebted to GiveDirectly for the financial aid."

"I love the fact that Give Directly constantly follows up, inquiring if we are facing major challenges related to the transfers. This streamlines the disbursement process and ensures we maximize the benefits of the transfers. I would recommend the organization increment the monthly stipend so that we can cope with the rise in prices of essential commodities such as food. "

"There have been droughts in my area and water has been scarce. So, when I got my transfer, I used it to buy water and food. my husband, who works as a tuk-tuk operator, has not been making much due to the hiked fuel prices and the Ramadan celebrations. Most people are opting to stay indoors. This has resulted in reductions in the number of customers and thus fewer earnings. I, on the other hand, had to close my street food vending business due to the high cost of living which made me incur losses. For this reason, we could not afford to buy food live alone buying water which now goes for 120 liters at KES 300."

"Give Directly has done extremely well in helping the needy in society by giving them unconditional transfers. The funds will help me complete building my house and ensure my family lives in a safe place. I'd like to add the organization to increase the monthly stipend so that you can be able to put up with the high prices of commodities."

"It is a blessing to receive unconditional transfers from Give Directly because the money is changing my life for the better. I have felt the pain of my young children sleeping on empty stomachs and crying all day and having no means to buy them food. Since I received the funds, my children have never slept hungry, and this gives me much joy. I plead with the organization to increase the monthly stipend so that we can be able to cope with the increase in prices of essential commodities."

"I have three school-going children, one in secondary school and two in the primary. The two owed the school arrears of KES 1000 which I cleared with part of the second transfer. KES 1000 I gave to my son who is in a secondary boarding school for both his fare and upkeep while in school while the remaining KES 1000 I spent on some of the food items to push my family for a while before budgeting for more. I used to sell "chapati" and beans to the teachers in nearby schools but due to the rise in the prices of food commodities. I have since then been burning charcoal for sale. It takes a week for the whole process of charcoal to be ready only to get about KES 800 which in most cases caters to daily food. I appreciate the support because if it was not for it then the children would not have gone back to school. Instead, I would still be looking for ways to raise their school requirement."

"In my opinion, the selection process on areas to work on was perfect. GiveDirectly came at the time when we needed support the most. We usually do not experience long rains but for the past two years, we have faced terrible famine that has led to triple the normal prices of the food items. This was caused by the prolonged drought. Allowing us to make spending decisions on the cash they give us has brought back life in our area since have spent their cash on their most pressing needs. There is nothing the organization is not doing right and everyone in the village appreciates the support."