"I saw the notification in the morning having been tipped off by a neighbour that money had been sent. I went for my phone and checked through my messages and to my surprise, it was indeed true that GiveDirectly had honoured their promise to us. I was instantly overjoyed and happier than before because I have never imagined that I could one day receive such a fortune in my life. I thanked God for using GiveDirectly to improve my life."

"I was filled with happiness the moment I saw the message from GiveDirectly on my phone that my first transfer had finally been sent into my Mpesa account. I could not believe them at first due to past experience with other organizations but seeing the money in my account did away with every doubt and I realised that they had fulfilled the promise they had made to us."

"I live in a very small house that cannot accommodate my 5 children and I. This has forced two of them to seek shelter in my neighbour's house something which embarrasses me. Besides, I am also worried about their security every night since I am not available to monitor their movements. This situation has really pushed me to construct a bigger house but I do not have the capacity to do so. Therefore, I will use this transfer to fulfill my ambition of providing better shelter for my family. I will also purchase livestock and start a small business that will solve my financial problems and respond to basic needs like school fees, food and medical care."

"I spent the money I received from GiveDirectly to buy a goat and remaining amount I paid school fees for my nephew who had stayed home for two weeks due to lack of money to settle the lump sum arrears she had in school. I also partly paid my enrollment fees to college for a hair and beauty training course."

"The biggest difference in my daily life is that I now have utensils which I can hire to events organisers for an income in return. This is my source of income which I started with GiveDirectly transfers when I bought the utensils after receiving my first transfer. The income I get has enabled me to meet the family's basic necessities in time unlike before when I had nothing at all to generate income from."

"My life has changed because I own my piece of land for Agriculture which I'm planning to cultivate my food crops when the rainy season starts. Before, I had to rent which was expensive and at times the piece of land would be far away from home."

"I always admired the dream of being my own boss and having my success through venturing into a lucrative business. Lack of capital barred me to reach this dream. I spent the most recent transfer to start two small retail businesses and the profit from each I use to enhance the sustainability of the two as they compliment each other. The surplus profits I am able to pay my college fees with ease."

"I spent the most recent transfer that I received from GiveDirectly to build a decent tradition house 'Simba' in the countryside. I am at peace because I am certain of a shelter to sleep in when I visit the countryside. Before I would look for a place to sleep either at my friend's or relatives whom at times were unwelcoming. The remaining amount I spent on buying food and transport."

"My life is different now, my dreams and plans have come to pass. I am happy and my mind is settled because I have constructed a two bedroomed iron roofed house and I am hopefull of marrying a wife. I used to gamble with life and completely had no hope."

"In the next six months, I expect to have fully engaged in potato farming. I already have a piece of land ready for this activity. It is an activity that I hope will change my life since the business in this sector is currently booming. My plan is also to sell sheep and have my next step -to buy a young cow and I hope to have accomplished this by the end of the six months."