"My primary goal is to join college by early next year. After completing my secondary school exams last year, my parents were unable to afford the fees for my college education. Determined to support myself, I took a job as a housemaid in the nearest town. Although the salary is very low, my focus is to save enough money to help my mother raise my sibling and fund my own education. To realize my dream of attending college, I have been diligently saving money from the cash transfers I received and my earnings. So far, I have managed to save $80, though I estimate I’ll need around $200 to cover my tuition and other expenses. I am hopeful that, with continued effort, I will achieve this goal in the coming months. My ultimate dream is to graduate, secure a good job, and provide greater support for my family back home. My siblings, who are still in primary school, depend on me, and I want to ensure they have the opportunities I’ve worked so hard to create for myself."

"The lack of sufficient funds in our household is making our lives complex. My wife is only a housewife, and I am a tour guide in the nearby resort. My job is occasional, and due to this, getting a constant income is hard, and we cannot plan and or budget for the little cash we get in a day. On average, I get approximately KES 4,000 a month, which is low compared to the recurrent household expenditures and hard economic times. My ambition has been to own fishing nets to do fishing in low seasons. Give Directly will become a beacon of hope in realizing my ambition and I am glad that soon it will come to pass."

"I currently have 7 goats, 7 ducks, and 6 chickens at home, which I consider valuable assets. I believe investing in goats is a wise decision because they multiply quickly. As my herd grows, I can easily sell some to help me achieve my dream of continuing my studies, graduating, and securing a well-paying job. For now, I’ve been relying on monthly cash transfers and support from my brother to pay my school fees. However, since the money is sometimes insufficient, I believe having these animals will provide a more reliable way to achieve my goals without as much struggle. Once I graduate, I’ll be able to pursue other dreams, such as building my own house and starting a family. Additionally, I’ll be in a better position to support my siblings and parents as they age."

"My primary goal remains unchanged: to continue buying goats and build a large herd by the time the program ends. Currently, I have a total of eight goats, but I aim to acquire more because they will benefit me in many ways. One of the main reasons is that they will help me pay school fees for my five children who are still in primary school, as well as ensure I can provide for their needs with ease. I plan to start saving a portion of the monthly transfers to make this dream a reality, especially now that I am without a job. By carefully planning and managing these funds, I am confident I can achieve this goal. This way, I will no longer have to struggle or suffer, even after the five years of the program come to an end."

"GiveDirectly does well in providing unconditional cash transfers, allowing us the freedom to spend the money on what we need most. This approach is highly effective because it gives each recipient the power to prioritize their own unique needs, such as food, school fees, or housing. During the enrollment process, there was no discrimination, and the officers treated everyone with respect and fairness. What stood out was that there were no bribes; everything was free and fair from start to finish. Honestly, I see no areas for improvement, and I believe they should continue using this same approach because it works so well."

"The officers were very friendly from the moment they arrived. They explained everything clearly, making sure we knew what was happening and why it was happening. It didn’t feel like they were just handing us money; they were offering us a lifeline, with respect and dignity. What really stood out to me was that they came to visit us at home. It wasn’t just a transaction over the phone or online; they took the time to meet us where we live, in our own space, and see firsthand the challenges we face. Their visit made all the difference, making us feel seen and heard. I do not see anything that needs to be changed in the program because I feel everything was done well."

"When GiveDirectly officers came to our village, I was amazed by how friendly and kind they were. They treated us with respect, asking questions in a way we could easily understand. They didn’t rush us, and no question was too small or silly for them to answer. Their patience and genuine interest in our concerns made me feel valued. The money we’ve received has already made a difference, but I do have one suggestion that could help even more. If GiveDirectly could disburse the full amount at once, instead of in smaller installments, it would allow us to invest in bigger projects."

"When I received my unconditional cash transfer, I carefully planned how to use the money to improve my family’s life. First, I used $160 to buy two sheep because they multiply twice a year and are calm animals to keep. I see this as an important way to grow my assets and secure a future source of income. I also leased half an acre of land for $60 to plant maize in the next season. Farming is a crucial part of our livelihood, and I know this investment will pay off in the coming months. Additionally, I purchased a water container, two plastic seats, and a blanket for $53 and a plastic table for $13. These items were much-needed additions to my home and have made our living conditions more comfortable. Since my son had school fees arrears of $100 at his private school, I cleared that too. Education is my top priority, and settling the fees has brought me peace of mind. I also bought seat covers for $35 to keep the new seats clean and maintain them for the long term. The remainder of the money went to transport and lunches as I moved around to make these purchases and take care of daily needs. This transfer has been a blessing because it allowed me to balance urgent family needs with investments for the future. I now feel more secure and hopeful for what lies ahead."

"My wife had been transferred to Eldoret for work, and we needed to relocate from Nairobi immediately so she could continue her job. I used $200 of the money for transport and to settle us in our new place. Moving was not easy, but it was necessary for our family's stability. With the remaining amount, I decided to focus on our farming projects. I had planted seven acres of green grams and four acres of beans, and they needed urgent attention. I spent $65 on pesticides to protect the crops and $85 on generator fuel to irrigate the farm. This investment was crucial for ensuring the crops would thrive, especially during a time when rainfall had been unpredictable. Finally, I used $60 to buy a goat, which I hope will be the start of a small livestock venture, and the remaining $40 went toward household food items to keep us going. This cash transfer not only allowed me to address our immediate needs but also helped me invest in a better future for my family. It gave me hope that I can build something sustainable while supporting my wife’s career and ensuring my children are well-fed."

"I am very happy with GiveDirectly because they kept their promise and sent the money just like they said they would. The process was very clear, and there was no bribing or hidden costs involved, which I really appreciated. They are true to their word, and they didn't fail to send the money as promised. Everything was done well, and I don't think anything needs to be changed because they followed through on everything they said."