"Before receiving the transfer, I had a grocery shop selling sardines, maize, cassava, tomatoes, onions, and leafy vegetables. In a day I would make $3.5 which would help me buy food. My husband pays for school fees. Then came a drought that made food expensive and I could not afford to continue with the business. I stayed home depending on my husband. Receiving this transfer has helped me pay school fees for my children without straining my husband, Bought a mattress, and early on we all slept on the same bed and for the rest I bought food."

"I have been selling traditional alcohol since I was thirty years old. I buy a liter at $1 and sell it at $1.3. In a month I would sell thirty liters and spend the profit for food. With seven children the money is not enough to cater for their expenses such as school fees. School fees have been a challenge and most time my children are sent away which makes them miss a lot of schoolwork. Receiving this money has enabled me to buy a mattress I recently gave birth and my back was in a lot of pain because of sleeping on old clothes, paid medical expenses for the birth of my son, and paid school fees for my children."

"Before the transfer, I had a business selling second-hand clothes. In day I would make $15 a day, I have rented a space at the market. Unfortunately, my husband got sick and most of my profits were going to medical expenses. I closed down my business to focus on my husband's recovery. We lived in a one-roomed house with my three children. Receiving this transfer has enabled me to expand my house to a two-roomed house that is comfortable for all of us, bought two cows that I eventually plan to use for farming, and paid school fees for my children."

"I am happy when I get visitors from GiveDirectly, I get to ask questions on a one-on-one basis. It is exciting to identify them with their voices."

"Whenever I have an issue with my money, I call the free hotline number. This has helped me communicate without worrying about the minutes I use. It is helpful."

"I get excited whenever I get phone calls from the organization. The staff is very kind and soft-spoken, and they listen to me with no rush, It is therapeutic talking to them about the challengings I am facing."

"I did not attend school and I cannot read or write which has been a challenge for me. GiveDirectly allowed me to have my brother as a helper, he help me with translation and even help me withdraw my money. I am grateful."

"The rental houses that I managed to build with the second transfer are made of timber and most of the time, I have to do renovations because of the ants invasion. My long-time goal is to build other houses made of concrete. For now, I am saving money from the other project and hopefully this year I can begin."

"The most significant difference is that the transfer from the organization offered me an opportunity to better my life. Due to financial constraints, I was able to purchase a dairy cow, which had previously seemed impossible. I will be eternally grateful for the help that has improved my life."

"I recall that moment I got the text showing that I had received money from GiveDirectly. I was at the shopping centre when I heard my phone vibrating. When I checked to confirm where the text came from, I was at a loss for words when I realised that I had received money from GiveDirectly. I called my wife and broke the good news to her and she was equally happy. We were happy to have such support because we knew we will accomplish our goals."