"In the olden days, being a housewife was not a problem because there was plenty of food since farming was reliable. This is not the same case at the moment because life has become tougher for me and depending on my husband poses a big burden on him. Although his monthly income is $300, this is not enough to fully support us because I do not have a job to supplement this. This means, his earning largely goes to settling our bills; school fees, and food. The lack of a job makes me feel so uncomfortable as a mother because I drain my husband so much, such that he can't save for our future. Hence, I consider the lack of a reliable source of income as my biggest challenge at the moment."

"I am a subsistence farmer and I have been for a long time depending on this as my source of income. In the last 4 years, our area has not had enough rain to enable us to harvest on our farms. This has been a pain for me because my family has had food insecurity. Since I lack the skills for a decent job, I engage myself in odd jobs like charcoal work to make ends meet. This venture is so tiresome and time-consuming and hence, it's also not reliable. Due to the unreliability, my family has suffered a lot and the children in school are not spared. What a pain as a father! Hence, I consider the lack of a reliable source of income as my biggest challenge."

"Bought a cow and paid school fees"

"GiveDirectly has demonstrated exceptional proficiency in their operations, leaving us all deeply content with the outcomes. The provision of free cash transfers granted us the freedom to allocate the funds according to our individual needs and priorities. Many individuals utilized the support to pay school fees and construct new houses, while others wisely invested in acquiring food supplies. The village has experienced a remarkable transformation, for which I extend my heartfelt appreciation to GiveDirectly. Looking ahead, it is our collective hope that community projects requiring collective efforts, such as establishing water points, will be implemented to further benefit the community as a whole. By addressing these communal needs, GiveDirectly can continue to enhance its impact and foster lasting positive change in the lives of many."

"Immediately after receiving the second transfer, I made several necessary purchases for my household. Firstly, I acquired 12 iron sheets for $114, which were used in constructing the walls of my new house. Additionally, I obtained five calsheet iron sheets for roofing, costing $75, along with 10-foot frames priced at $60 and posts for $30. To transport these materials back home, I incurred a $20 expense. With the help of a $50 labor charge, the construction was successfully completed, and we are now relishing the improved space provided by the new structure. To cater to the needs of my family of three, I purchased a half sack of maize for $35, ensuring an adequate supply of food. Furthermore, I allocated $46 towards procuring essential household goods, including kitchenware, toiletries, and other consumables. As part of my ongoing commitment to support my younger sister's education, I used $20 to address a portion of her outstanding arrears, with the intention of settling the remaining amount using subsequent transfers. It is worth mentioning that my husband works as a motorcycle rider while I engage in subsistence farming, and until the gracious financial support from GiveDirectly, our ability to sustain our family had been incredibly challenging."

"GiveDirectly has been commendable in its efforts to alleviate the devastating impact of famine and hunger that my family was enduring. I am sincerely grateful that the first transfer we received was wisely spent on food, which rescued us from the grips of starvation. The enrollment process was conducted fairly, and the field officers displayed respect and professionalism, ensuring that we comprehended all the necessary information before we willingly signed up for the program. It is my earnest hope that in other villages, similar practices will be implemented, thereby facilitating equal transformation and growth for families who have long endured hardship and suffering. To enhance the effectiveness of the program, extending these positive aspects to other communities would be highly beneficial."

"Lack of reliable source of income is the current challenge I am currently facing in life. My husband does casual jobs and I am just a house wife. He earns approximately $ 80 per month which caters for food only. Lack of reliable income has caused my three sons to be out of school for a week due to school fees."

"I used it on renovating my house"

"I was in the garden, I felt so happy because I had received the cash that I had waited for so long . We were tought on how to make decisions in the baraza, so when money came my first thought was to buy livestock, buying ironsheets and paying school fees for the children"

"I have been annoyed ,but now I feel so excited, I am going to look for mobile money and I withdraw it then I will plan"