"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."

"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."