"Upon receiving financial assistance from GiveDirectly, my husband and I promptly decided to allocate the funds towards addressing our most pressing needs. Foremost among these priorities was settling our son's college tuition fees, for which we dedicated $200. Additionally, I invested $200 in purchasing improved-breed goats, and I further directed the remaining $50 towards acquiring a water tank that I use for irrigating my garden. As both teachers with four children, my husband and I are deeply appreciative of the support that has brought about significant transformation within a short period. This change was previously challenging to achieve due to family responsibilities."

"Despite the obstacles posed by drought, my hope for the forthcoming year and beyond revolves around delving into cash crop cultivation. To achieve this, my plan involves acquiring a generator to facilitate water pumping to our plot of land located near the river. Although the prospect is somewhat challenging due to my daughter's impending transition to secondary school, I am considering the possibility of obtaining a new loan as a means to fund my agricultural endeavors."

"In my view, GiveDirectly has achieved an exceptional feat by enabling individuals to receive and utilize their money unconditionally. This accomplishment is evident through the installation of modern water-collection tanks in various households, the emergence of new houses within the village, the expansion of livestock holdings in anticipation of the year-end auction, the reduction of local fundraising efforts as compared to the past, and the community's ability to provide substantial support whenever necessary. Additionally, the great peace experienced can be attributed to the thorough education provided during the initial meetings, which prevented conflicts arising from the households' spending decisions. The advancement of women's empowerment is also apparent through the diversified farming activities and the visible progress of ongoing projects within the village. While I greatly commend these achievements, I wish that GiveDirectly would encourage community leaders to impart education about sustainable ventures. Despite the unconditional nature of the transfers, a gentle push towards well-considered investments could yield long-term benefits."

"Receiving the transfers means so much for us. Owing to our old age we have plans to fence our farm so that when we grow maize we don't have to worry about livestock destroying them. We also plan to purchase a 5000 liter tank which will ensure that we have enough water in our household. This would cost us about $300 of the transfers. In addition to this we intend to expand our poultry farm by purchasing chicken and feeds together with a poultry house. We would use about $200 of the transfers to accomplish this. Finally we would use the transfers to pay for my daughter Naomi who is yet to join tertiary college in January next year."

"From my perspective, GiveDirectly has executed an impressive feat that has truly revolutionized families and their ways of living. The considerable water scarcity challenge has been substantially addressed, with the widespread acquisition of rainwater-collecting tanks or even the utilization of water trucks for tank filling. The freedom to spend the money according to our discretion was a paramount advantage, and this approach would be immensely beneficial if extended to other communities facing urgent needs and diverse goals they aspire to achieve. However, there is room for further enhancement in terms of outreach and assistance diversity to cater to a broader spectrum of needs within these communities."

"I deeply appreciate GiveDirectly for their remarkable efforts. Without their support, life's challenges would have been more devastating. Currently, we possess water collection equipment, which is a tangible outcome of GiveDirectly's support. The organization's unique approach of providing unconditional cash transfers devoid of external interference sets them apart. Unlike other conditional organizations that focus solely on specific items like housing construction for those without homes, GiveDirectly's approach is comprehensive and flexible. Their successful practices should be extended to other villages for a similar positive impact."

"The challenge that I'm facing at the moment is hunger. Because of changes in climate and lack of enough water for irrigation, our farms have not been productive which has led to low food supply and a lack of money for basic needs. This has affected us greatly since we've been forced to sell our livestock to pay school fees and also purchase food. Live has been very challenging."

"Getting the transfers means a lot for me and my family. Firstly, we intend to use the first transfers to purchase food at about $100 since this is one of the challenges we are facing. We intend to use $50 to pay school fees and the remaining we will purchase clothes for our children. For the second transfers I intend to purchase a 5000 liter water tank at about $350. For the remaining amount together with the third transfers, I intend to pay school fees for Barack who is to join form one next year (January,2023). Receiving this transfers will be a great relief for me since lack of money for school fees and other needs has become stressful."

"We intend to spend our transfers first in buying basic needs for our children ; ensuring that they have food in the first transfers. Once this is done we will use the next two transfers to boost our small hotel business, buy a water tank and plant at least 15 mango trees to provide a long term income for our household"

"My greatest challenge at the moment is lack of food. We depend on rive Wessex for irrigation of our farms, however, this has become difficult since water is not enough due to lack of rains. This has led to a lack of food in my house at the moment. My house has also been eaten by termites which makes it squeak when beaten by wind. This worries me so much."