"In my advanced years, I lack a reliable support system to attend to my medical needs. My physical frailty necessitates frequent visits to seek medical care, a challenge compounded by my financial limitations. I find solace in the fact that the financial transfers I've received have not only covered my medical expenses but have also enabled me to follow my physician's advice of maintaining a balanced diet to regain strength. In light of this, my current aspirations revolve around meeting my ongoing medical requirements and ensuring a daily intake of a well-balanced diet—achievements made possible through these transfers."

"I aspire to acquire a 10000-liter water tank to facilitate water harvesting for utilization during the dry seasons. Typically, we rely on water pans, but during drought periods, we are compelled to purchase water from vendors at a significant expense. The acquisition of a water tank holds the potential to not only conserve water for household needs but also alleviate the financial burden of procuring water. My objective centres around accumulating sufficient funds to procure the water tank, which costs $500. At present, I have successfully set aside $200 toward this endeavor. With consistent monthly contributions, I am confident in my ability to attain this goal in the near future, enabling the installation of the water tank at my residence."

"GiveDirectly's approach has left an indelible mark on my perception of assistance. The field officers' exceptional conduct has been a shining example of equality and integrity. Throughout the process, they treated everyone with respect and without discrimination, and remarkably, they never sought a bribe. This level of professionalism and dedication has not only restored my faith in aid organizations but has also set a precedent for how assistance should truly be provided."

"With the sum of $450 at my disposal, I decided it was time to transform our living situation. The first step was addressing the issue of privacy. Our previous dwelling was nothing more than a cramped shelter, unable to contain the growing needs of our family. With determination, I directed some of the funds towards purchasing building materials: sturdy poles, iron sheets, timber, doors, and nails. As the construction progressed, a sense of hope blossomed within me. No longer would our possessions be exposed to prying eyes and vulnerable to the whims of weather and theft. This was a haven in the making, a spacious sanctuary where my husband, our two children, and I could thrive without the constant shadow of uncertainty. And then, with a portion of the remaining funds, I settled a long-standing debt of $100 with a friend who had sold me a piece of land—two acres of opportunity. Clearing the debt brought an incredible sense of relief and empowerment. The land was now truly ours, a canvas on which we could cultivate crops to sustain us and provide a stable home for our future children. As I stood on the land that was now fully ours, I couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for the unexpected blessing that had transformed our lives."

"Upon receiving the transfer, my immediate priority was to acquire an additional goat to complement the ones I already had. I recognized its potential for multiplication, offering a valuable resource in times of emergencies, and so I spent $50 towards this endeavor. Previously, such aspirations appeared unattainable due to our limited income being largely allocated to essential needs like food. As a widow residing with my two sons and grandchildren, I sustain our household through farming and a herbal medicine business. Unfortunately, the unpredictable regional weather often hindered our earnings, dependent on rainfall. With the remaining $100, I secured essential food supplies, a task that would have been insurmountable without the cash transfer, and allocated the final $50 to bolster my business. I am profoundly thankful for your support, as it has significantly elevated our quality of life."

"Since my daughter's diagnosis with an unknown ailment, our circumstances have taken a difficult turn. The resources we manage to gather are consistently directed toward her accumulating medical expenses. My livelihood relies on farming, yet in my advanced years, this proves insufficient as I lack the vigor to engage in larger-scale endeavors. I share my home with my daughter and two grandchildren. Upon receiving my initial transfer, I prioritized my daughter's medical bills, spending $100 for this purpose. Subsequently, I invested $25 in purchasing hens, and the remaining sum was dedicated to procuring essential food supplies. The support I received has brought an unparalleled sense of happiness and hope for a brighter future, for which I am eternally thankful."

"I remember the day I got my transfer vividly. I was at home, unwinding when my daughter sprang some surprising news on me, GiveDirectly had actually sent me money. I had asked her to manage the Mpesa transaction for me since I am illiterate. A blend of astonishment and delight washed over me. It was unquestionably the most uplifting news I had encountered in a long time. Overflowing with immense joy, we right away immersed ourselves in conversations about the best way to make use of the funds. I am deeply appreciative of the assistance that has led to an incredible change in my life."

"In the upcoming year and beyond, my primary objective is to effectively manage and harvest the beans currently cultivated on my farm. Looking ahead, I aspire to utilize the entire acreage for planting maize, a step that holds the promise of addressing our food needs and generating an excess that can be directed towards covering school fees for my four children who are still pursuing their education."

"Being a single mother, I have been diligently supporting my son as he begins his education. Despite just being the two of us, life hasn't been easy due to our poor living conditions and insufficient food caused by my reliance on casual labor and small-scale farming. Since I received the support from GiveDirectly, positive changes started emerging in my daily life that I am proud of. I am currently in the process of constructing a new house, having used $390 from the second transfer to acquire materials such as 20 iron sheets, wooden and metal frames, and nails, which I hope will be sufficient for the construction. I am currently residing in a modest, mud-walled cubicle house that requires frequent repairs, especially during the rainy season. These repairs are time-consuming due to the rain washing away the mud and leaving gaps in the walls. The new house will provide a separate bedroom from the living area for me to set up a bed. Additionally, I spent $20 on transporting the construction materials home from the shopping center and the remaining $40 to purchase food supplies that are still sustaining us."

"While I was engaged in washing utensils at home, a message notification appeared on my phone. Upon checking, I discovered it was an M-Pesa message confirming the receipt of funds from Givedirectly. I felt a surge of happiness and I immediately knew that I now had the means to support my youngest daughter, who is currently pursuing her education in a medical school. With the ability to pay her school fees, I felt a profound sense of relief and hope for her successful completion of her studies."