"When GiveDirectly first approached us, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but their staff treated us with so much kindness and respect. They spoke to us in a way that made us feel heard and valued, answering every question patiently, no matter how many times we asked. Their friendliness made it easy to trust the process, and they never rushed us or made us feel like we were a burden. Everything about the program was explained clearly, from how the funds would reach us to what to do if we encountered any issues. I liked that there were no complicated requirements—just honest support with no strings attached. Honestly, I wouldn’t change anything about GiveDirectly. It’s perfect as it is, and I appreciate the way they handled everything."

"Once the melons are ready, I want to build a house on a plot I bought some time back. Where I’m currently staying, it floods a lot, especially during heavy rains, and honestly, I’m tired of dealing with it. I bought half an acre of land a while ago, and it’s about time I put it to use. I’ve just been holding off, waiting for the right moment, but I think this is it. The idea is to use the income from the melon harvest to kick start the construction. It doesn’t need to be extravagant—just something sturdy and reliable, something I can call my own without worrying about floods every rainy season. That piece of land has been sitting idle long enough. I’m ready to finally make it count."

"First on my list is buying a piece of land, about 50 by 100 feet. The place where I’m currently staying tends to flood when the rains come, and it’s been a real problem for a while now. It’s just not sustainable and I need a more stable place, somewhere I don’t have to worry about every time the clouds start gathering. Farming has always been my main way of raising money, and I’m banking on the next harvest to help me take that big step towards buying the land. I’ve put so much effort into my crops, and I’m hopeful that this coming season will be a good one. On top of that, I’ve also been planting vegetables to sell, and that’s going to contribute as well. It’s smaller scale, but every little bit counts. Between the vegetables and the harvest from the larger crops, I believe I’ll be able to gather enough to finally buy that piece of land. It’s a lot of work, but I’m determined to make it happen this coming year."

"In the upcoming year and beyond, my plan is to open my own sewing shop. I’ve already ordered a machine from Mombasa and paid for it using the savings I accumulated through our merry-go-round group. With my coursework complete, I’m ready to launch the shop, which will provide an income to support my family. I also plan to rent a nearby space and stock additional items to sell alongside my tailoring services. I’ve purchased the sewing machine and am currently awaiting its arrival. Once it arrives, I will open the shop and start this new chapter. I'm truly grateful to GiveDirectly for their support, which has renewed my optimism in achieving this goal. Additionally, I plan to invest in farming tools, including a bull for ploughing, and I’m saving for this through the same merry-go-round group. I am optimistic about achieving my goals before the transfers come to an end."

"I have a wife at home, but, well, I haven’t paid her dowry yet. It’s something that’s been weighing on me for a while now. You know, it’s not that I don’t want to—I do. I want to honor her family and make everything official. But, life… life hasn’t been easy. Right now, where we’re staying, every time it rains heavily, we’re on edge because of the flooding. I plan that once the tomatoes I planted are ready, I’ll sell them off and use the money to buy a small piece of land. That’s my ticket to moving out of this place and into somewhere better—somewhere safe. After that, I’ll keep planting, keep working hard. Once we’re settled and life feels a bit more stable, I’ll finally take the step I’ve been meaning to take for a while. I’ll pay the dowry which is important to all of us and I want to do it right, make our marriage official in the way it should be. We’ve been through a lot together, and I want to honor her properly."

"First, I want to ensure that I’ve moved to the new piece of land where I’ve already made a deposit. It’s a big step for me because this land is something I’ve been saving for. My plan is to build a house there and relocate, finally having a place of my own that I can really call home. Luckily, I’ll be using the last of the GiveDirectly transfers I’m receiving to help sort out the costs of building. It’s a blessing to have that support, and I know it will make a big difference. On top of that, I’ve already planted an acre of beans. It’s hard work, but I’m hopeful. If all goes well and I get a good harvest, I plan to sell the beans and use the money to buy goats. I’ve thought about this a lot, and I know goats are easy to maintain. Plus, they’re a solid investment. Over time, I can sell some of them to cover important expenses, especially school fees for my children. That’s really my long-term focus—making sure I have enough resources for my kids’ education. It’s a lot to take on, but I’m feeling positive about it all."

"Since my husband passed away two years ago, I’ve had to take on the full responsibility of covering our children’s school fees, clothing, food, and other essentials. The house was already in poor condition when he passed, and it’s been a struggle to meet all their needs with the limited profits from my charcoal business. With the recent increase in the cost of basic commodities, the situation has become even more difficult. My children were often sent home for unpaid fees, so I decided to dedicate all my transfers toward paying their school fees. Renovating the house is my second priority. Although I replaced the roof, the house is still unsafe as the cracked walls let in insects and rain. My immediate goal is to rebuild the walls, and I plan to save $4 each month to buy construction materials. I can’t save more than that right now due to other basic needs. Once my children finish their education, I intend to invest in goat and chicken rearing projects. These projects will generate more income, as they multiply when well taken care of, increasing their financial value. I'm confident that once these projects are established, they will provide security. In case of a financial crisis, I’ll be able to sell some animals to support my family."

"Moving forward, my primary focus is to use my transfers to help my child, who has a deformed leg. I am determined to ensure that he receives the necessary medical attention so that he can have a good leg and enjoy a normal life like other children. In addition to my child's medical care, I plan to use part of the transfers to buy goats. My hope is that these goats will multiply and increase in number over time. I then intend to trade some of the goats for cows, which I can train to help plow my farm. In the future, I may be able to sell some of the cows as they multiply and use the proceeds to fund my children's education. I am excited to see these plans come to fruition with the help of the transfers I receive from GiveDirectly, and I am hopeful that I will be able to provide my children with the best possible opportunities."

"I was surprised that participation was entirely voluntary. We had the freedom to choose if we wanted to be part of the program or not. This gave me a sense of control and dignity because I knew that whatever decision I made, it was mine alone. What I liked even more was how transparent the whole process was. They explained to us where the money was coming from and shared every detail about how the program would work from beginning to end. There were no hidden surprises or unanswered questions. I knew exactly what to expect, and that made me trust them. Knowing the source of the money and understanding the steps they would follow helped me feel secure in the decision I made to participate. There is nothing however that I think could be changed in the program as I see it all good."

"It was around 4 AM when I was awakened by the loud vibration from my phone. I was a bit shocked, as it was unusual. However, I gained the courage to check the content of the messages that had popped up. My reaction was mixed when I saw that I had received my first cash transfer from this organization. I couldn’t contain my joy upon discovering that there was $550 in my Mpesa account. I knew this would mean a lot to me, including finishing the construction of my house, which I had initially planned but had to put on hold due to financial challenges."