"I had been buying at least 1.5 liters of milk per day for my family of four for a long time prior to receiving the first transfer. My two children could not sleep without a glass of milk, and even though the price of milk continued to rise to its current price of $1 per liter, we had to work hard with my spouse on casual labor and subsistence farming whose surplus could earn us money. We saw the second transfer as an opportunity to buy a dairy cow for $350. I am glad it did not take long for it to calve and is now producing enough milk for the household as well as a surplus of 2 liters for sale as an additional source of income. I also paid $40 for three sheep. Because I intend to breed them and sell the offspring later, this is a long-term investment that can also be used in an emergency. Even though I don't have a long-term spending plan, I am relieved that I will be financially secure when I need to start a new project. I spent $28 on a sack of dry maize grains for my family's food and the rest on kitchenware, including utensils, to replace the old and broken ones we had been using for the past five years."

"I am always excited at the prospect of one day possibly starting my own retail business selling food stuff. Flour, salt, cereals, toiletries, etc. I believe the extra cash would put me in a better position to secure my kids' futures."

"The list of things I did with the transfers from GiveDirectly were quite diverse. I paid school fees, bought 2 female goats, extended my chicken coup and bought food for stocking up in the house. My husband works in clearing and forwarding, all the way in Canada. He comes every 7 years and while I keep layers and sell a crate of eggs for $4.5 and also till the land and harvest maize, beans and other cereals. The 60 chicken on the 3 acre farm I till, were the only source of income to cater for my bills such as the tuition fees for my second child in Timbilahai Secondary, which is $230. Thank God my eldest is a casual laborer in Vipingo and has a family of his own. With only one dependent, the funds were a welcome blessing to helping us achieve our goals."

"I received the transfers from GiveDirectly and proceeded some sheep to breed. I bought four and they gave birth , though 2 of them died. I also stocked up on food by purchasing 3 sacks of maize, as well as other dry foods. A mattress was also purchased, and some repairs commissioned on the house. The roof was in bad shape and we also found a way to plaster the house floor with the money as well. Receiving the funds from GiveDirectly was the best part of an otherwise very difficult time. My wife had gone back to her maternal home since I had not completed the dowry payments, and with her took our 2 children. The eldest had just completed her Class 8, , while the youngest is 6 months old. I have been cultivating our 2 acre farm and growing cassava and maize. The drought really affected the maize, hence why I resorted to buying. GiveDirectly helped me find the physical and emotional strength to soldier on by the positive injection of funds into my life. I'm eternally indebted."

"GiveDirectly make dreams come true. The fact that they offered these funds and need nothing in return, is a testimony to just how big their hearts are. I would pray that they continue to bless countless others as they have done us"

"GiveDirectly has completely transformed Kimbule Town for the better. Recipients have been able to take their kids to school, buy property, and build houses, thanks to GiveDirectly helping us all. I have nothing else to add other than my prayer that GiveDirectly continues helping many other, similarly needy people."

"I have a lot of goals but how can I accomplish them without money ? As I said earlier , I live at my parents' home and its so stressful . I hope to buy a piece of land build a house there and just relocate . This would require approximately $1,000 . Since I'm now expectant , I would also hope to start a small business but I do not know where to get this money from ."

"Being a subsistence farmer in an area where drought can persist for a whole year means a lot of stress. I am currently depending on my husband who is a security guard and his monthly income is $80, an income that can not fully cater to all our basic needs like food and school fees. This means we sometimes survive on one meal a day and my children have frequently missed classes, a situation that has directly affected their performances. Therefore, I consider the financial crisis as my biggest challenge."

"Taking care of my family of 11 members is a big burden to me because it requires a lot of effort to provide all the basic needs. Considering the nature of jobs in our area being casual and energy-intensive, my charcoal and manganese work never earn me much, usually $40 per month. This means my husband also have to go extra mile in his casual jobs to supplement the income. Due to this challenge, my children have been missing classes and forfeiting some meals, a situation that has affected their studies. Therefore, I consider financial instability as my biggest challenge."

"Lack of a stable source of income is the biggest challenge that I am currently facing. At the moment, I do some casual jobs such as laundry services for my neighbor who pays me utmost $3, which is not on a daily basis. This means on some days, I stay idle at home and depend on my husband who works as a taxi driver. Since his income is also not reliable, I sometimes feel so bad seeing my children forfeiting meals on some days, a situation that has robbed away my joy as a mother."