"As the head of my family, am responsible for providing a safe shelter for my wife and five children. Sadly, my current house is very old, and unstable, and could easily collapse from adverse weather like strong winds or heavy rains. So, I aim to build a three-room house made of mud walls and a tin roof, an exercise that will cost at least $1500. Though I bear huge financial burdens like my children’s school fees, I wish to start saving at least half of each cash transfer towards the construction project. I hope my charcoal-burning hustle will yield enough for my family’s basic needs so that I can direct the cash transfers to the house."

"My long-term goal is to buy a piece of land, build rentals and add more sources of revenue so that my children can complete school without straining myself. My husband suports me which I am gratefull."

"They give us money directly into our account. They also give us information as to where the money is coming from which gives us peace."

"I have a piece of land that I would like to build rental houses to increase my source of income. I have a child suffering from sickle cell anemia and getting his monthly medicine has been a challenge but with such an investment, I can manage the medical cost."

"I am the breadwinner of the family. My husband is old and retired. I take care of the seven children alone. To get school fees and food I burn and sell charcoal for a living where I make $20 a week. As the breadwinner, I struggle a lot paying for school fees and at times, I am forced to take one meal a day to save some coin. Receiving this money has helped me pay debt and improve my house with new iron sheet."

"My short-term goal is to open a grocery shop. I am a farmer and the produce I make has always been for domestic purposes but if I have to do it commercially I will have to add more produce, water, and fertilizers"

"I am a stay-at-home mother, my husband has a piece of land that I farm for domestic purposes. I have eight children that are in school. School fees have been a struggle for the longest. My husband works in a butchery and has always managed to get the funds needed. Recently my husband was diagnosed with a kidney problem and was out of his job. Unfortunately, all my children are now out of school because I cannot manage to pay their fees. But I am thankful the money from GiveDirectly has helped me pay for the hospital bills, he is now at home recuperating."

"I would like to open a business selling second-hand clothes and I would need a $500 loan from a Sacco. I am in a Sacco that I contribute $0.2 a day"

"I did not complete my secondary education due to lack of school fees and getting a job has been hard. My long-term goal is to save money and do a tailoring course that will enable me to cater to my family's needs."

"In my opinion, GiveDirectly does very well by enrolling every household within the village without any form of bias and giving support in form of cash. This gives each person freedom to choose how to spend the money and how best it would be of benefit to them. Looking at the house that I built with this cash and even the clothes that I bought for my family gives me so much joy and happiness . On the other hand, I do not see anything that GiveDirectly could have done better. Everything that they do is just perfect and they should continue doing it in the way they are doing."