"I'm looking forward to completing the fencing around my land as I wait for the rainy season to begin. I plan to start farming crops, specifically maize and beans, which will help ensure I have enough food. In our area, we lack a water source for irrigation, so I intend to do timely planting. By preparing early and gathering all the necessary resources before the rains. I've already started enriching my farm's soil by applying manure from my goats. This natural fertilizer will make the land more fertile and nutrient-rich, which should help my crops grow better. It also means I can save money by not having to buy commercial fertilizers during the planting season."

"Repairing the condition of my house is my primary focus at the moment. It looks worn-out, with its walls crumbled away, leaving only the support poles standing with gaps in between. The roof has rusted and decayed over time, exposing the inside of the house to the elements such as rainwater. My husband and I each save $20 from the transfers to reinstate the state of the house using new poles and iron sheets. The transfers are our only hope of achieving this desire because, being old, we are unable to work to raise the necessary funds for the exercise."

"In the coming year and beyond, I desire to replace my tin roof with new iron sheets. Although the house was recently built, I had to use old iron sheets from the previous house, which have corroded over time and developed holes, allowing water to seep in when it rains. I would never want my new bed and mattress, obtained with the transfer funds, to be dampened and damaged by rainwater. That is why I plan to start saving towards purchasing new roofing materials. Additionally, I would prefer this responsibility to solely fall on my shoulders, as I do not wish to burden my son, who is already constrained by the school fees of his seven children. I am hopeful that the transfers will fully support this endeavor."

"GiveDirectly has truly changed our lives for the better. I've achieved things I never thought possible. I've managed to fence my farm, which was a huge challenge before. They've also helped with the water problem by providing a tank for my home. Now, I can store water easily, which has eased the burden of water scarcity. I have no complaints about GiveDirectly's current programs, and I don't have any recommendations for changes."

"I have always desired a chance to build a new house. Mine is in a poor state. The grass-thatched roof has decayed over the years, and the big holes in it allow water in when it rains. I would have loved to build a new house when I started receiving cash transfers, but I was constrained by the school fees of my son Baraka. At that moment, I would have rather slept in a damp space than see my son miss school due to unpaid school fees. I am happy that he recently completed primary school, scoring a whopping 370 marks, which earned him a government sponsorship for his high school education. With this relief, I can go back to my goal of building a better house; one with an iron sheet roof and mud walls. I hope to start saving some of the cash transfers to effect this course."

"I earn a living by selling charcoal to support my family of eight. Life was incredibly tough before, with a severe drought lasting over five years that severely impacted our harvests, making it difficult to access food and water. The arrival of GiveDirectly brought immense relief, especially since it allowed me to provide food for my family and pay for my children's school fees. I allocated all my transfers totaling $102 towards school expenses, prioritizing education as it empowers my children to improve their future prospects. As someone who didn't have the opportunity to attend school, witnessing my children's education fills me with immense joy, knowing they will have better opportunities. I am deeply grateful for this assistance, which has transformed our lives for the better."

"I acquired two hens for $2 each and a goat for $40, supplementing the remaining $8 from my savings. The goat has since multiplied, proving to be a fruitful investment of which I am immensely proud. Last year, I allocated $15 towards the plowing of half an acre of land using a tractor, preparing it for farming. I am pleased to report a successful harvest of two 90 kg bags of maize, sufficient to sustain my family of three for the next four months. Prior to the maize harvest, a significant portion of my $53 transfer was utilized in procuring essential provisions such as food, water, and firewood. Given my wife's mental health challenges and my granddaughter's physical limitations, neither of whom can engage in manual labor, relying on purchases for necessities like water is our only viable option. I am profoundly grateful for the assistance provided by these transfers, which have enabled us to access these crucial services."

"My priority is to ensure I connect piped water to my home. This will give me comfort since I will be able to get water directly at my doorstep unlike at the moment when I buy from my neighbour a distance of 0.5 kilometers which I find hard for my age. To ensure this comes to a reality, I will use $300 of the transfers on this water project. On the other hand, I intend to repair my house's walls and floor to make it strong since it's so weak and during rains, the walls fall down. Also I plan to construct a decent toilet because I currently used some rugs to surround the pit, and I call it my toilet. What a shame! I estimate the cost of all these to be $600. The remaining amount will help me to buy a new bed and a mattress to replace the old ones. Hence, this is basically what receiving this money means to me."

"As a housewife, my daily responsibilities include tending to our livestock, preparing meals for my six children, and maintaining our household, while my husband works in Mombasa to support our family. Previously, we faced significant challenges in covering school fees, often relying on my husband's income, which led to delays and uncertainties. However, with the assistance of these transfers, I have been able to make substantial improvements in our lives. These funds have empowered me to make crucial investments, including purchasing a water storage tank and installing electricity in our home. Additionally, I've utilized a portion of the transfers to ensure that all our children receive an education and even expanded our livestock holdings by acquiring three goats. From the transfers received, I allocated $20 towards paying school fees and another $14 for buying food supplies as we were running low. Furthermore, I saved $20 in our local savings club to be used in case of an emergency. Another $14 was used to purchase new uniforms for the children. The remaining $34 was invested in acquiring a bed for myself, replacing the discomfort of sleeping on the floor. Witnessing these positive transformations in my life brings me immense happiness and gratitude."

"We rely on rainwater for our one-hectare farm, which I have already prepared. It is currently waiting for rain. That land is insufficient for growing both food and income crops, so I intended to rent an additional one hectare to make it sufficient. If my crops are profitable, I will use the money earned to buy cows and sheep, which will be a long-term investment because they multiply. If any money remains over, I will use it to construct a nice home for my children. The current one they reside is not in good condition."