".I can't help but express how happy and excited I am. GiveDirectly has truly changed my life. Before, my life was hard to explain. When I got the money, the first thing I did was use $150 to pay off my two children's university fees. Before, I relied on government grants and community donations to pay for their education. But now, thanks to the money I received, I don't need to depend on those sources anymore. I also used $50 to buy food because I used to work selling firewood and water door-to-door, but it didn't pay much. It was hard to support my two grandchildren with just that money. My husband passed away nine years ago, so I'm the only one my kids rely on. Life has been tough since then.With the rest of the money, I built a small room made of Ironsheets for my grandchildren. Before, they lived in a house made of mud and grass, which wasn't good when it rained. Since I got the money, my life has changed. I don't have to work odd jobs anymore; I can stay at home and take care of my grandchildren."

"GiveDirectly has done something great for me by giving me money without any rules. My life has changed a lot. I bought a water tank with the money, and I'm very happy and excited because now I have water at home. Before, getting water was hard because we had to go far to find it.When you go to other villages, please tell people to invest their money wisely so that they'll have something to be happy about in the future. They should remember GiveDirectly for helping them like it helped me."

"Food security has been a constant struggle for my family of five. We rely heavily on farming for our livelihood, but the harsh climatic conditions in our area make it challenging to cultivate our land year-round. With water scarcity being a significant issue, we can only depend on rainfall for farming, which often proves to be insufficient. As a result, I find it difficult to produce enough food to sustain my family. We are forced to turn to casual jobs like land clearing, charcoal burning, and weeding to earn $3 daily. Unfortunately, these jobs are unpredictable, and there are times when we go for up to two days a week without any earnings. On those days, hunger becomes a real challenge, especially for my young children. Living in such circumstances is incredibly tough, and it weighs heavily on me as a parent. I am constantly worried about providing enough food for my family, especially during the lean periods when jobs are scarce. I am actively seeking ways to improve our situation and ensure that my children have enough to eat, but it is not easy."

"In the coming years and beyond, my focus is on enhancing the productivity of my farm. Last year, I faced setbacks with my two-acre plantation due to a poor harvest caused by prolonged dry weather, which reduced the water supply from the river we rely on for irrigation. To mitigate this, I plan to invest in a generator for pumping water and hire workers to help me properly align the water system. With this improvement, I am confident that my maize crops will receive adequate water, leading to increased yields and income from their sale. This will alleviate the financial burden on my children, who also have their families to support."

"We fetch water from the canals of river perkera which is not safe and healthy for domestic use. This nudges me to prioritize a plastic water tank worth KES 35000. Our area is conducive and suitable for livestock keeping, I will invest KES 50000 to purchase a cow and five goats."

"Financial instability is a constant challenge for me and my family of two, especially since we depend solely on farming for our livelihood. Unfortunately, our current financial situation does not allow us to invest in farm input like a water pump and irrigation pipes. As a result, I have had to make the tough decision to lease out our 6-acre piece of land for $360. With this money, I lease a 1-acre plot by the riverbanks for $100 and purchase essential farm inputs such as fertilizers and seeds. While leasing out land helps cover immediate expenses, I am actively seeking ways to secure capital or assistance to invest in irrigation equipment, knowing it will significantly improve our crop yields and financial stability in the long run."

"For many years, our village endured a severe drought, making it hard for me to afford basic necessities like water and food. To make ends meet, I resorted to selling charcoal, but the business did not do well. However, the intervention of GiveDirectly brought about a remarkable transformation in my life. Through their support, I joined a savings group, enabling me to purchase a cow and chickens. Furthermore, I allocated $24 to buy books and uniforms for my grandchild, who was joining Junior Secondary school. Another $20 was wisely saved in our local savings group, to be used later on to buy iron roofing sheets. Additionally, $34 went towards buying storage bags to safeguard the maize I had harvested, which was at risk of spoilage due to lack of proper storage. The remaining funds went towards replenishing our food supplies, which had run out. GiveDirectly has brought a renewed sense of hope to my family, for which I am deeply thankful."

"The GD transfer has reshaped my perspective, reminding me that there are compassionate individuals willing to support the less fortunate. Initially, I found it difficult to believe, but upon receiving the funds, I was overcome with joy. Thanks to the transfer, I now have piped water at my doorstep and was able to construct a new house for my six daughters. Previously, we had been cramped in a small two-bedroom house, so this improvement means a lot to us. I am sincerely thankful for this opportunity."

"Every morning, I wake up and take my goats and cows to drink water. By noon, I'm back home. One day, some people from Givedirectly came to visit me. I didn't know about it before, but I accepted the free money after they explained it to me. I'm really happy and grateful because now I have extra goats and cows that I can sell if I need money in an emergency. Please keep doing your good work and helping people get out of poverty."

"My mind is right now thinking about channelling clean drinking water to my compound. I have been relying on supply of this important commodity from a neighbour who stays far from me. It has been tough for me because of my age and I do not have anyone that can help me out. Sometimes I have had to use money to get the water which has proven to be quite expensive. I plan to use the $80 that remained to accomplish this. It shall be a great relief to me and my family and I look forward to achieving it."