"Subsistence farming which is my main source of livelihood has been greatly affected by the prolonged drought. To make ends meet, my husband takes up plumbing jobs around the village whenever there is a need. Since it is inconsistent, I cannot account for his income but on a good day, he gets up to $5. This amount is not sufficient to meet the needs of a family of 10 hence we struggle to get food and school fees. My family is facing a financial crisis which stands out to be my main challenge."

"Being a widow and a very old woman, I face hardships to raise money for medical bills which has kept alot of pain whenever I fall sick. I also find it hard to pay school fees for my grand daughters who are always sent home for schools requirements yet l am unable to clear for them in time hence making them attend school irregularly and register poor performance in class."

"I received a message from GiveDirectly at around 4 o'clock in the afternoon confirming the receipt of my initial transfer. Since we were told before enrolment that the money would be delivered to us via Segovia technology, it was simple for me to understand the text when I was at home with my daughter. I had to rush to the nearby shopping center that evening since I needed some food, where I quickly made my purchase before returning home."

"The prospect of protecting my plot of land, which has always been overrun by my neighbors' animals, as well as the peace and harmony with my neighbors, have made the biggest differences in my daily life. I had been attempting to fence it off, but I kept putting it off due to a lack of funds, allowing stray livestock to trample my developing trees that has caused disagreement with my neighbors who are also struggling to restrain their animals."

"Upon receiving the money, I first opted to save $200 for my son who completed his primary school level and will be joining secondary school. I did this because I want him to have a smooth transition from primary school to secondary. This will help him to concentrate in school. I also built a kitchen. I bought 7 pieces of iron sheets and building poles for $63 and $75 respectively. The kitchen will be of great help to me, especially during the rainy season. Thereafter, I bought two goats and a hen for $64. For the remaining amount, I bought some food since it was a dry season."

"The building of the new home I moved into right away has made the most difference in my daily routine. Due to a snake and mosquito infestation, as well as roof leaks during wet seasons, the dilapidated hut I was staying in was intolerable. I am relieved to be living in a warmer space with a smooth roof that doesn't have any cracks or leaks. My health will improve, and my risk of contracting malaria and other wild animal diseases will be reduced."

"Our farming methods have not been successful over the previous three years; therefore, we now frequently purchase various foods from nearby groceries. Given the escalating cost of maize, I spent $55 on a sack of maize grain and $12 on beans for my family of nine when I received the first transfer. For $35, I also purchased a sheep, which I am delighted to say gave birth two weeks later. In order to use them to supplement the school expenses for my lastborn kid, I intend to breed and multiply them. I also spent $50 on Christmas festivities and saved the remaining $20 for my son's enrollment in the ninth grade. After restoring the daytime meal we had abandoned, I am delighted that we are now eating all three meals every day. I am relieved that I can accomplish a lot right now, and I am looking forward to making better use of the money I have left over."

"Since I got my first transfer from GiveDirectly, a lot has changed. I had been sleeping on the floor the entire time I had been married. I made buying a bed and quality bedding a top priority after receiving the money because I needed a comfy bed to reduce my back pain and get a decent night's sleep every night. The creepy, crawly critters, which include poisonous snakes, make sleeping on the floor a terrifying experience every time. In addition to the danger I was in, sleeping on the ground without a mattress was difficult because I was using rags as a mattress."

"My neighbor, who had also just gotten a message and transfer from GiveDirectly, was with me. He had already received her own mail and was able to confirm with me that it was from GiveDirectly, so understanding the message was simpler. On the second day, I went to the local shopping mall and picked up my transfer, which I later used to fund my predetermined goals."

"I spent the initial $30 from my transfer on 25 fencing posts with the goal of totally surrounding my land. When their cattle trespasses, I can't confront them, which usually leads to arguments. I also gave my daughter, who is presently in her final year of medical school, $80 for her educational expenditures. I was relieved to see her return to school after a protracted stay at home where she was on the verge of giving up and getting married. In addition, I bought food products like a goat for $30 that my family still uses now and a sack of maize for $50 that my family of three is still using today."