"It was around 9am when I was just sitting at home meditating where I could go to get something to do so that I earn some money; I received a message in my phone. When I looked at it, it was the first transfer from GiveDirectly. I ululated in happiness since I didn’t expect such a message at my lowest moment."

"Initially, I was sleeping in a grass house but now GiveDirectly enabled me to construct a house with an iron sheet roof. I was just seeing these kinds of houses in the neighboring home, but now I own my own house of the same because the organization enabled me."

"Initially, I was ever in the forest cutting some logs to make charcoals for sale. This job had distanced me with my family because I used to leave as early as 6am and be back late in the evening. But since the time I received the transfer, things have changed. I used to run up and down in search for the college fees for my son and food for the family but as at now the fees are settled and we have food at home. I am grateful that I got some time to rest a bit before resuming for my charcoal business."

"Since I had no stable source of income, I was just struggling to make ends meet. When I withdrew the money the first thing I thought of was my children education. I have 2 children who are in secondary school and 5 who are in primary school. I paid school fees for them all so that I get rid of the fee pressures. I paid KES 20000.00 for the secondary school children and KES 5000.00 for the primary school children. Thereafter I bought a solar panel to serve us with some light at night for KES 2000.00 and invested the remaining amount to my charcoal business."

"As I was feeding my child with some porridge my phone vibrated twice, something that made me curious to see what it was all about. Since it was at a distance, I stood and picked it. Upon checking, I was dump founded when I saw a huge figure of money and it was my first time to receive such money in my phone. My heart was filled with joy and a thanks giving for the GiveDirectly organization since the money was from them."

"The biggest difference I can story tell is being able to provide college education for my children who were heartbroken due to my financial situation and they were not seeing themselves anywhere near to college especially the one who was to join. And the one was already in college was counting losses for his time and money wasted since he knew he won’t be able to complete his final semester but that thanks to GiveDirectly for coming in on time for my family."

"While in the field preparing charcoals at around 9am, I received a message in my phone. Upon checking, it was the first transfer from GiveDirectly. My heart was filled with joy and appreciation such that I left for home to confirm if my friends and family received theirs too."

"Initially, my living condition was not worthy of a human being. I used to some casual jobs to fend for my family and these jobs were not a guarantee. But since the time I received the transfer from GiveDirectly and purchased the motorbike, things have changed. Through the returns I get from the motorbike, I am able to meet and sustain my daily basic needs not like before."

"When I receive this money, I will prioritize building a permanent house with three rooms. One room will be for my children as they are currently sleeping in the kitchen. This makes them uncomfortable and not peaceful when they go to sleep due to smoke and excess heat. This will cost about KES 50000 of this money. My daughter is in form two, to enable her to study peacefully without being sent home for school fees, I will therefore plan KES 20000 to clear school fees. I will then use the remaining money to buy food and clothing for my family."

"Our uncle gave us this piece of land to live on, this is making our lives difficult to invest in better housing. Upon receiving this money, I will use KES 80000 to buy 0.1 acres and build a better house. My husband is the sole breadwinner and depends on casual jobs to provide for us. He earns about KES 200 per day which is little to support us. This makes his dream of buying a piece of land impossible. With the remaining money, I will consider buying a cow to enable us to earn more income through the sale of milk."