"The biggest hardship that I face in my life is inadequate food for the household. This is because I do not own oxen that I could use to support me in timely ploughing of farm land in order to plant early for improved yields and income. This has weakend my immunity hence household members fall sick often."

"The biggest hardship that I face is inadequate income at household level. I am a single parent and I struggle to look for income through farming and casual work. This is some times not reliable because of changes in the weather pattern which affects yields hence low income. "

"I have been hoping to build a nice and decent house to live in for long but due to the financial constraints I was facing, I could not fulfill this. My income I raise per day was not enough to cater for both household daily needs and construction of a new house. With GiveDirectly transfer, I managed to buy building materials which include iron sheets, cement, sand, gravel and bricks for this purpose. I am excited that I have completed my new house. I currently enjoy peace of mind since I no longer worry about how I will build a permanent house anymore. This is a goal that has given me the biggest difference in my daily life."

"In my village, we do experience water shortage especially during the drought season and the water points are far almost 4 kilometers away hence it is always tiresome to bring water home after going through several trips. The water from the water points is not clean given that people bath, wash clothes, defecate at the banks and children also play in the water, therefore, there was a risk of contracting water-borne diseases to my family. Currently, my life has greatly changed in that my family now has access to clean domestic water use after purchasing a water tank which has a capacity of 3500 litters. I am happy that I have saved my family from the risk of water-borne diseases and we can get extra time to relax too."

"It was around 6 am when I decided to power on my phone since I usually switch it off at night. It was at this time when I realized that I had received some money from GiveDirectly. I became so happy and I immediately informed my family about the good news. I knew that it was time for us to accomplish our goals as a family."

"My life is different from how it would have been if I never received these transfers because I now own a dairy cow which wouldn't have been possible before as we depended on my spouse's income entirely that could only meet the small household needs. This situation forced me to buy milk for my family's consumption and on those days when we could not afford to buy it meant that my children had no option but to have black tea which I felt was a compromise to their health. With this dairy cow, it acts as our alternative source of income. I am able to sell two litters of milk worth 150 KES on a daily basis that cater for our daily meals. Secondly, having purchased a piece of land with the second transfer it is also an honor to me and my family. I really appreciate how GiveDirectly has changed my living standard."

"My life has improved ever since I received this cash transfer. I was able to repossess my farm land and rented another piece of farm land where I have cultivated cassava on a large scale. When I harvest it, I intend to sell it and build a permanent house. Previously, I never had where to cultivate but depended on casual labour to provide basic needs for my family."

"I was woken up by the message notification early in that morning and on checking, I found out to be a message from GiveDirectly informing me that I had received my first transfer from them. I felt happy and thankful to GiveDirectly for financial assistance."

"Since I thought I had not got my transfer and had called the hotline to inquire about it. I was then told that my money was sent and had ti check my account balance. On checking and seeing my money, at that moment I felt so happy and excited that I did not return the call that I was told to invade money was there. I rushed to withdraw it."

"I am deligthed that the biggest difference in my daily life is that I was able to get money that I had never held in my entire life and would spend without any attached conditions. I was even able to buy a cow that I named "Amusugut" meaning that the I got this help from America. Prior to getting this money, I was really suffering from bitting poverty but I am now realived because it has given me some personal property and sense of belonging."