"Looking ahead, my goal is to build a completely new house. The current house dates back ten years, and as it has mud walls, it is susceptible to destruction from heavy rains. Currently, I had to repair one of the walls that collapsed due to the ongoing rains. I plan to construct a new house with mud walls but change the structure to make it less vulnerable to rain damage. To achieve this, I plan to save some of the cash transfers until I accumulate enough funds to buy building materials like iron sheets and building poles first."

"What truly stood out for me in my experience with GD is the sense of freedom it provides in the enrollment process. The fact that we were given the choice to decide whether to enrol or not speaks volumes about the program's respect for individuals. Moreover, equally appealing is the flexibility to withdraw from the program at any time, a straightforward process made possible by a simple call to the customer care number. This level of control and convenience deserves a big thumbs up, as it empowers individuals to make decisions that align with their needs and preferences, contributing to a positive and user-friendly experience."

"I appreciate the professionalism demonstrated by the GD staff during the enrollment process, in my view. Their practice of not accepting any hospitality from households is commendable, fostering a fair and unbiased environment throughout the procedure. This approach not only eliminates concerns about the provision of food but also maintains a level playing field for all participants. While expressing satisfaction with the current practices, I hold the hope that the organization might consider an additional transfer, especially for individuals like myself who are on the verge of starting a family. This extra support could significantly contribute to building a strong foundation for our families, allowing us to navigate the challenges of starting a household with greater ease and security."

"My aspiration for the coming year and beyond is to venture into goat farming. Having recently established a strong fence around my land, my current focus is on cultivating a nurturing environment with ample grass and thicket, particularly beneficial for goat farming, especially given the current abundance of rainfall. Once the market reflects a favorable drop in the cost of goats, I plan to initiate the venture with the purchase of approximately 10 goats. This endeavor is a long-term investment, with the intention of selling their offspring in the future. The anticipated returns from the sale will be useful in acquiring household goods and addressing various financial obligations. Currently relying on casual labor and living alone, this venture not only holds the promise of economic sustainability but also signifies a step toward self-reliance and long-term financial stability."

"Providing for my family of nine, including accommodation, has been a significant challenge. With the second transfer from GiveDirectly, I prioritized improving my son's living conditions. I invested $65 in five iron sheets to construct a new, more secure house for him, replacing the old structure with a tattered grass roof. Additionally, I bought a $43 sack of maize that continues to sustain us. Formerly relying on casual labor and charcoal burning, the support has been crucial. Operating a mobile salon has also been beneficial. Allocating $54 for household goods, including cooking oil, tea leaves, sugar, and toiletries, enhanced our daily living. Spending $25 on five pairs of shoes brought joy to my children. Clearing a $70 debt and investing $23 in buying chickens are steps toward a more stable financial future, aiming to sell eggs for school fees. Spending $20 on transportation brought five goats safely home. GiveDirectly has significantly transformed our living conditions, and we're grateful for the positive changes it has brought to our family."

"Education is key to success nowadays. I have 3 grandchildren to support. It's been very difficult raising their school fees, it had drained my resources. We have sold livestock and has even affected our family income. My granddaughter is currently doing her final exams for secondary education. I have fees areas and don't know how she will get her certificate without us clearing school feels. This has been my biggest worry."

"My biggest challenge is that I have been sick for the last 2 months. This means providing for my family is a challenge. I cannot do farming due my worsening health condition. Plan to go back to hospital for treatment, and hopefully to get well soon. My neighbors have been really helpful in raising funds for my medication. I don't have enough money for my hospital bills. They also have been giving us food support."

"I used $55 of the second transfer to purchase 1 big sufuria that can make 2kg of ugali, 1 big thermos that can serve 12 cups of tea, and three basins since which marked a significant shift from borrowing utensils and using a basin that we always made from cutting leaking jerricans. This was an idea of my elder daughter, Rehema who was tired of borrowing the same. currently, I feel relieved because I have a sense of self-reliance. I saved the rest amount of the transfer as I await 22nd December 2023 to get my annual savings to build my 3-bedroom house using the 2600 clay stone that I had prepared before. Give directly has helped me build a house that I have wished to have for a long time but since am the sole breadwinner fueled by my labor work of burning charcoal, I earn $3 per day which mirrors the determination to provide not only the subsistence but also a sense of normalcy. Achieving these small things has and will transform my life and turn a necessity into a step toward a more self-sufficient future."

"When I received the second transfer from GiveDirectly, I built a house worth $327. Initially, I used to live in a muddy old house that would leak every time it rained which made my living uncomfortable and unbearable. I am so overwhelmed that I can have a decent house for myself. I also bought food costing $123 that will sustain me for a few months thus saving me all the struggles and the stress of having to think about how am going to put food on the table every single day. Having been surviving with charcoal burning and selling business which is illegal in the country, made it quite difficult to even have a visitor around and offer a cup of strong tea. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for making my life better."

"The fact that GiveDirectly has given people the opportunity to make their own decisions on how to use the transfers has yielded good results, I can see people from my village are constructing good houses, others are connecting water pipes to their homes, the school children who are not able to attend their classes are now comfortably attending because their fees are being paid. sincerely they have made long-term investments that will result in economic sustainability. Continue doing well by improving the lives of people."