"Upon receiving my initial transfer, I made a deliberate choice to allocate the funds towards settling a long-overdue debt. The soaring inflation in our country had made it increasingly difficult for me to repay this debt. As someone who relies on poultry keeping and goat rearing for my livelihood, every penny counted. Currently, I live alone, having parted ways with my wife many years ago, and my children have all grown up. With the $50 I received from the transfer, I promptly paid off the debt that had been looming over me. Subsequently, I utilized $15 to purchase medicine for my goat, ensuring its health and well-being. Moreover, I allocated $70 to acquire a sack of maize, a crucial staple, and an additional $16 for other essential food supplies. These accomplishments have filled my heart with profound gratitude, contentment, and an overwhelming sense of happiness."

"I enrolled in college a few months ago to pursue a certificate in plant operation. I spent over $430 as a result because I had a balance that needed to be paid. I am confident that after receiving my papers, I will be suitable for employment. Despite this, I continue to work as a boda boda taxi and attend school as well because my wife and son still depend on me. I can now see some relief after such a difficult time thanks to this support. Even if I was hopeless before, I am quite certain that by investing in school, I am getting much closer to establishing my destiny. Since food insecurity has been a persistent issue as a result of the extended drought in my region, I had to purchase food with the remaining cash."

"In my opinion, everything went smoothly throughout their stay in my village. Before their visit, I had a lot of financial problems and couldn't take good care of my family at all. But for now, all I can see are good things in the form of assets. I do not see anything that they have not done well so far."

"My son, who is my helper, had my phone when I received the first transfer confirmation message from GiveDirectly via Mpesa. It was an incredible feeling since I had been looking forward to this opportunity to carry out my plans. He informed me at 4:00 PM, and the excitement was evident, driving me to share the news with my other family members who were there at the time. Their excitement matched mine since our approach to spending the money was a collaborative endeavor in which we discussed ideas and prioritized. We picked up the money the next day at a neighboring shopping center."

"Over the course of a decade, my livelihood has relied heavily on farming. However, due to inadequate rainfall, the income derived from farming has been steadily decreasing. As I approach the end of this year, my objective is to expand my herd by purchasing more goats. This endeavor will provide me with an alternative source of income in case my farming activities yield no financial returns."

"While I await the maturation of the maize crops for harvesting, my intention is to utilize the funds from my transfer to purchase food. Due to the difficulties my mother and I face in finding sporadic employment, there are occasions when we lack the necessary funds to buy food. Once we have successfully harvested the maize and acquired an abundance of food, my plan is to invest in livestock. This strategy will provide a reliable fallback option for me in the future."

"Receiving the first transfer from GiveDirectly around 4:00 p.m. brought me immense joy. I had my phone with me as I worked on my farm, preparing the land. A few minutes later, my son called and confirmed that it was indeed from GiveDirectly. Since I lived alone with my grandchildren, I couldn't immediately share the news with anyone, but I made sure to inform my grandsons later in the evening when I returned home."

"The most significant change in my daily life after receiving the first transfer from GiveDirectly is the timely arrival of the funds. It came at a crucial moment when I needed to purchase fertilizers for my farming activities and expand my cultivation to include bananas. I hold high hopes for the upcoming harvest season and anticipate positive outcomes as a result. This financial support has allowed me to invest in my agricultural endeavors and has provided a renewed sense of optimism and the potential for better outcomes in my daily life."

"At 3 PM, I found myself in a classroom, surrounded by stacks of assignments that needed marking. Amidst the sea of papers, my phone buzzed. With a quick glance, I saw that it was my husband calling. Excitement surged through me as I picked up the call, eager to share the news that we had been anxiously awaiting. The GiveDirectly transfers had arrived! It was a moment of pure joy, a glimmer of hope in the midst of life's challenges. The financial support we had been granted would undoubtedly ease our burden and pave the way for a brighter future. I could hardly contain my excitement as I relayed the news to my husband. We shared a moment of pure bliss, envisioning the possibilities that lay ahead. Both of us had talked of expanding my husband's clothing business. Each day, he toiled to sell clothes, earning a modest income of $20. But with an injection of capital, everything would change. More stock meant a wider selection of clothing, attracting more customers and boosting sales. Our dreams grew as we imagined the potential to turn that $20 into a magnificent $100, a feat that would not only secure our livelihood but also enable us to save for a better life."

"My utmost desire is to increase maize production and ensure that my children complete their education without any debts. These goals hold great importance to me, and I am determined to work towards achieving them. I will assess my available resources and determine the suitable amount of land for cultivation. Conducting soil testing will help me understand the fertility of the soil and make any necessary adjustments. I will then research and select high-quality maize seed varieties that are well-suited to my climate and soil conditions. By implementing proper agricultural practices such as timely planting, irrigation, weed control, and pest management, I aim to maximize yields. Investing in machinery, such as tractors or irrigation systems, may enhance efficiency. Financial planning is crucial to ensure that my children can complete their education without accumulating debts. I will develop a budget, allocating a portion of my income towards setting aside funds for school fees."