"GD staff are honest, respectful, don't take bribes and always respond on time. I understood what I was taught."

"It was around 1 PM when I was plucking vegetables in my garden, and the sun was beating down relentlessly. As I toiled, I heard my phone ringing, a sound I had rarely encountered before. Illiterate and uncertain, I handed it to my brother to read the message. His eyes widened, and a radiant smile broke across his face as he confirmed it was an Mpesa notification from GiveDirectly. The sheer disbelief and joy that coursed through me were indescribable. In that moment, a rush of hope overwhelmed me, and I knew exactly how I would use this unexpected blessing. With newfound determination, I decided to build a new house to replace the dilapidated one I had endured for years, a symbol of brighter days ahead."

"My primary focus is on the ongoing project of caring for my goats. I've invested time and effort into nurturing these animals, and I believe that with continued dedication and proper management, I can expand my goat herd significantly. Each day, I check on their well-being, ensuring they have ample food, clean water, and a safe environment. My hope is that over time, the number of goats in my care will multiply, not only providing me with a sustainable source of income but also contributing to the betterment of my family's livelihood."

"I appreciate the financial support provided through the cash transfers, which has allowed me to afford medical treatment for my son. My income alone was insufficient to meet our financial needs. My main objective is to enhance our sources of income, enabling us to cover both our regular expenses and unforeseen emergencies. I plan to accomplish this by investing what I save from the transfers to buy cattle, which we can use for farming and will rent out during the planting season to earn income."

"In addition to my other projects, I had been working on constructing a small house that I planned to finish with the third transfer. After receiving it, I spent $45 on six bags of cement, which I have yet to use to complete the floor of my simple structure. Even though I live alone, I needed a new and more decent house to make cleaning easier since I leave for my daily duties every morning and return late in the evening. I invested $600 from my previous transfers in buying a motorcycle that needed repairs and the replacement of some parts. To get it functioning for my daily operations, I used $200 from my third transfer to buy new shocks and tires and replace the gear system. The motorcycle is now working well and I use it as a taxi that earns at least $10 per day. I bought three goats with the proceeds and added them to the existing herd of 17. I also purchased four iron sheets worth $30 and used them to build a new shelter for the goats. I saved the remaining amount, hoping to use it to complete the construction work on my house."

"I recently ventured into turkey rearing as an extra source of income because they are less prone to diseases and sell at a better price compared to chickens despite the little difference in the time they take to mature. A 6-month old turkey can sell for approximately $30 while chicken of the same age would sell at $10. Chickens are also prone to diseases which quickly spreads whenever there is an outbreak in the village as many households rear chickens. After almost experiencing a loss from my chicken rearing business due to diseases, I decided to venture into turkey rearing which is less common within the village. I have only 4 turkeys at the moment but aims at increasing the number by using my transfers to purchase more of them at a young age then selling them when they mature. There is no ready market for turkeys within the village but I have identified a market where I will be selling them in town once they are ready. Once this turkey project is self sustainable, I will think of a new project that the transfers can help me to accomplish."

"My long-term goal is to have more goats that we can sell later on to raise school fees for our children when they join highschool. Goats reproduce very fast and require very minimal care hence are the best investment. My husband and I do not have stable income and failure to plan ahead may result in our children not proceeding to highschool due to lack of money to pay their fees. This is why I have decided to invest in goats that are affordable and can be purchased with a month's transfer. With the next few transfers however, I intend to clear my children's school fees so that they can finish the year without any balances to make next year easier and manageable. The intention is to keep them in school fully so that their learning is not affected or derailed. I also intend to purchase better clothing for the children and improve their sleeping conditions by purchasing a new mattress for them."

"My big dream is to open up a grocery store. With some money saved up, I'll be able to turn this dream into reality. This store won't just be a business for me; it'll be a means to provide for my family without the constant worry about making ends meet. It will enable me to create a stable and comfortable life for my loved ones."

"Food insecurity has been the biggest challenge in this area. For the past five years, I have not harvested anything from the farm despite several attempts at planting. With my age, I now rely on casual employment at a nearby school which earns me $50 a month. This amount is very little to be able to pay school fees for my two grandchildren under my care at the same time food."

"I want to purchase a lot of land"