"GiveDirectly did an excellent job of providing us with an unconditional transfer and the freedom to spend on addressing issues in our household. This freedom provided a great deal of satisfaction because all spending decisions were informed by what each household was going through at the time. I am also impressed that they transferred money directly to our accounts, thus collecting them from mobile money shops was so simple. I have nothing against the overall approach, but I wish it would return in the future because we still have a lot to do."

"I am a casual laborer working in a quarry and my husband is a carpenter, we have six children who are currently schooling. They had been sent home due to school fees arrears which had accumulated to $140 thus we had to clear it. I also bought new school uniform for my children worth $80. It had been a dream to venture into poultry farming, I invested $100 into buying a hundred chicks which I have been rearing at home and also selling to supplement our income. I was able to replace our old, ripped mattress and bed with new ones costing $140 and we no longer wake up with bodily aches. With the remaining $100 I purchased 30 kg of corn flour and other foodstuffs for my family. My household income has improved and I owe it to GiveDirectly."

"Giving people money and allowing them to decide on what best they can spend was the best decision by GiveDirectly in my opinion. Many in our village had been struggling a lot, begging from the neighborhood, and even toiling in other people's farms to earn a living that seemed so unfair to them with the inconsiderable payment they were getting. The cash transfer sets everyone free and at the moment, everyone has a home and lives a better life compared to how it was before. I never saw anything that I would have wished to be done better but I am grateful and feeling lucky to have been part of this project."

"Before we even got our first transfer, we had plans to build a decent house since the one we had was small and almost falling. We started by buying a few materials with the first transfer in preparation to commence building. With the second transfer, we embarked on the journey and I am glad to report that it was a success we now have a beautiful two-roomed house that can comfortably accommodate my family of eight children. The total building cost was $300. Thanks to GiveDirectly, I was able to replace our old, ripped mattress and bed with new ones costing $140 and we no longer wake up with bodily aches. Some of my children had been sent home due to school fees arrears which had accumulated to $90 and thus we had it cleared for them to continue with their studies. My husband who is a casual laborer has been the sole breadwinner in the family since I am currently not working."

"My lovely wife had been sickly for quite a while before we received the second transfer and her health had been eating up the small income that I used to make from the casual job I had as a tailor. This money came in at a very crucial moment when we needed it most. Immediately after receiving it, we used $70 for her treatment. I am happy that she is slowly regaining her good health. I further bought myself a sewing machine for $150 that I have been using for my business and making some good income. Earlier on, we had begun a small project of putting up a pit latrine but due to some financial crisis, it stalled. We were able to have it completed and this cost us $100. We had an overdue land debt of $180 which we managed to clear. With the remaining $50 I bought corn flour and other foodstuffs."

"Choosing what to spend my money on taught me responsibility and the ability to account for every coin whenever I received a call from the office. I am grateful and hopeful that with your continued assistance, our standard of living will continue to rise. I have nothing against the project, but I would be grateful if we could get an addition to help with the high cost of living."

"I commend GiveDirectly for the job well done and the whole village is happy with the good deed. The financial assistance came a long way in ensuring that the life of all villagers was changed. We are forever grateful for everything and we will continue preaching the good work of this organization."

"Our household's main source of income has been surplus produce from subsistence farming. The proceeds from selling excess produce from our farm cover a portion of my four children's school fees as well as other household expenses. GiveDirectly transfers have always come in handy and cushioned us whenever we have low harvest. I am currently saving $10 monthly in an informal savings group with nine other members, which I hope to use to establish livestock farming in the coming year. I hope to buy goats and chickens, and after breeding them, I plan to sell the offspring and use the proceeds to pay my children's school fees, clothes, and other necessities for my family of seven."

"As of last August, I decided to start saving up money so that I could finally have enough to build a proper home for myself and my children. The house I live in at the moment is almost on the verge of collapsing, and that is what made me want to build another one. Therefore, before the end of the year, I am planning to have accomplished this. Apart from that, I also happen to have five kids who are pursuing an education, so I will use some of the funds to pay for their tuition fees as well."