"GiveDirectly is doing well by giving us money to sustain ourselves because lack of money brings about worries. Imagine me to be able to buy a solar light all because GD has given me money and has left me with the choice of how to spend it."

"My aim is to take my kids to school and put a solar lighting system in my home. I already have the small Delight lights for $5 in the house; I, however, want $300 worth of solar lights for my home. The small lights are very limiting since I have to move around with them, which usually means the rest of the people within my home are left in darkness. I will be required to pay $0.5 a day for these lights, so I will be setting aside $1 a month for these payments once I have them installed to ensure my house is continually lit all year round. I also want to spend some of this money taking care of the needs of my children in college. I do not make much from the small business I run out of my brother's shop since it can only sustain basic needs. I hope to direct these transfers to the areas I told you about since I have not had much time to take care of them."

"I spent portion of my fourth transfer to pay my children school fees, I bought new zinc, bought new solar light, pay the manpower that are sawing my plan for my house and invest the balance portion in my agriculture business."

"My husband works in a maize mill company in Kilifi town in the packaging department. Together we have five children and it has been a struggle to support us since he is the breadwinner. I spent my first transfer on buying three goats and furnishing the house with three mattresses and a bed for the family. I paid the remaining amount for my children’s outstanding school fees and bought them new school uniforms. The second transfer of $300 was used to lease a piece of land because I wanted to take advantage of the rainy season. My children were straining to do their schoolwork at night, hence bought solar lights for the whole house, which cost me $15. I have also started rearing goats, which prompted me to buy another goat and two chickens for $22. The rest of the money we used was in buying food because my husband was late in receiving his salary."

"When I received my second transfer, I spent $110 on a solar lighting system to replace a chargeable bulb we had been using for the past year, despite the fact that it could barely light the wall room. The new solar panel came with three brighter bulbs, which I distributed throughout my house's three critical areas: the kitchen, bedroom, and living room. I am relieved that I no longer need to take the single bulb to the charging point at the nearby shopping center because the solar panel is enough to keep the house illuminated continuously on a sunny day. I also spent $75 on new clothes for my grandson, with whom I am currently staying, as well as some pairs for myself. I used the remaining funds to prepare the land, purchase hybrid maize seeds, and pay the labor force during the double weeding season. I am pleased that the crops have flourished as a result of the recent rains, promising a better harvest. I saved the remainder and used it to purchase foods that we currently consume."

"The transfer was of great help to me, I spent $240 to clear the second term fee arrears for my 4th born child who is in a national secondary school. Currently, I am happy that my kid is learning without any interruption. In addition, I used $180 to purchase a solar lighting system for our house. Previously, we were using paraffin lumps which did not provide enough light. Similarly, it requires purchasing paraffin every day which is costly. This was making my kids late to school every morning since it could end before 5am in the morning when they were required to start preparing for school since they are located a long distance. Furthermore, I bought proper modern bedding for $115 for myself, I was using mats and a traditional treads twisted bed which was not comfortable because I always felt body pains every morning."

"I used my recent transfer to pay tuition and solar light for my house."

"Thanks to Give Directly cash transfers, I installed a solar system in my house last month. Using torch globes attached to battery cells for lighting was becoming inconvenient for me because they provided dim lighting. Most are the times I would stay in the dark and worry for my safety all night. I could not afford solar lighting then, because I lacked the necessary resources to fund the installation. Being my sole provider, my son who works as a motorcyclist can barely afford any want beyond the basics such as food. Gladly, the money from Give Directly was enough to pay for the solar services. Having paid a deposit for the installation fee using my first transfer, it was only reasonable that I settle the amount with the recent transfer. This is why I used $15 to pay the solar company. I spent the remaining amount on food because I had starved throughout the day after my household ran out of maize flour the previous night.I am grateful that I no longer worry about the dark and hunger. I get goosebumps from the happiness bestowed upon me by the cash transfers. "

"Before receiving my recent transfer, I never had a thought of electrifying my house, but as I received my transfer I saw the need to carry out such project especially seeing my kids going through struggle to study on candle lights or getting up early to prepare for school without light. Therefore I used my transfer and bought a solar light system and it has been installed and my home is now lighted. This has brought so much relieved and joyed to us as family."

"Initially, I did not have any source of light hence I resorted to us a kerosene lantern. Although it had not been convenient and economical, I could not acquire an alternative source of lighting because I did not have money. However, since I received my transfer, I now have a better source of light after buying a solar lighting system. As a result, my children can study well without the struggle of getting a complementary lighting system. To me, this is the biggest difference GiveDirectly transfers have created in my life."