"GiveDirectly made their own independent judgments about who should receive support. They didn't just hand out money blindly—they took the time to ask us questions, ensuring that those who were truly in need would benefit from the program. I appreciated how they made their decisions based on facts, not rumors, and how they respected our dignity by engaging with us directly. Their advice was also invaluable. They didn't just give us money and leave us to figure it out; they offered practical suggestions on how to spend it wisely, helping us to make the most out of the opportunity. However, I think there’s one area where GiveDirectly could improve: a bit more sympathy could go a long way. While their approach was thorough and fair, at times it felt a bit too tough, as it left out some other people who were also deserving of the money. Overall, though, I am deeply grateful for the difference GiveDirectly has made in our lives."

"I have a business which supplements my husbands house building casual jobs. I know that now with my business and transfers I am able to take care of the basic needs. My goal is to ensure we are able to stand our feet with the business then spend the cash transfers on building a bigger house. we live in a one roomed house which is quite the hustle. I wish to have a house with more room and I am working towards that."

"I have seen the hustle and bustle that comes with educating children. It is not a walk in the park. I want to be ready to get my children educated without so much of a strain. My main plan is cattle. Buying goats and chicken builds towards owning cows. I now have cow and 5 goats. I want the number of the goats to increase so I can sell those goats and buy more cows and in turn achieve my long dream of educating all my children."

"I now have, 5 goats, 17 chicken and 1 sheep. All this animals are savings. unlike your normal savings animals grow, mate and give birth to more animals. I am so excited to grow my flock to even more animals. This will mean that my children even after the project ends can go to school, it also means I can restart my business or add my investment even when I meet hurdles. I am a very happy woman."

"I am a big believer in farm animals as a way of building income. I plan to buy a cow. I am saving currently towards buying a cow. Cows are expensive, one that is not so mature is about $150. This is currently my goal. Although I am a bit far from this goal I plan to work harder to get the remaining amount so I am able to multiply my cows and have enough to freely sell when something come up."

"A swahili saying says "little by little makes it much" this has been it for my business. I have been able to move from renting a sewing machine to owning one to buying material and making ready made clothes to sell. I am however still constrained at offering certain services such as overlock. This machine is about $800 which I am sure I cannot get in a seating. my plan is to continue making clothes and buying goats them use the proceeds from this to finance the purchase of this machine."

"I am a motorcycle taxi rider for hire. I do not own my own motorcycle. I do not make much since most times the cash I get from the business goes to service charges as well as daily charges to the motorcycle owner. I would like to increase my income and I know this is only possible by buying my own motorcycle. I am buying goats and chicken which I will eventually sell and use the money to get a motorcycle of my own. I can see this dream being fulfilled thanks to receiving transfers as I now have 5 goats and 5 chicken."

"I now have two main goals, on is to enroll for college and the other is to finish building my house. I am currently capitalising on chicken rearing as a way of building my cash reserves so that when I enroll for school, I have animals to sell from which I will be able to raise my school fees. I have also budgeted for my cash to be used to build my house even as I clear my school fee debt. I am very thankful and hopeful that I will achieve my goal thanks to Givediretly."

"I have two children, one already joined college while the other is waiting for the finances to be available before we get him a school to go to. My main goal is to educate all my children and ensure that they have something that can allow them compete in the world. My hope is by next year I will have built financial muscle to educate my youngest and ensure he joins college."

"The challenge I'm facing currently that's making my life hard is the lack of money. I have four children who are in various institutions three that are in secondary school and 1 in University whom I pay school fees for. I have a school fees arrears of about KES 120,000 cumulatively. In addition to this, I have a child that is sick and I have had to pay hefty hospital bills amounting to about KES 150,000. This has led me to sell almost all my sellable assets including livestock and farm produce. This has made life very challenging since I'm not employed and because of old age I'm unable to do casual work. My life is quite difficult."