We check in with people at each stage of the cash transfer process to see how things are going. Take a look at some of their stories as they appear here in real-time.
Learn more about how recipients opt in to share their stories.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, I feel Givedirectly did well for helping the less fortunate in the society with the direct cash transfer program. Through the transfer, I was able to achieve part of my desires, something that I am grateful for.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent all my transfers to purchase one goat for KES 3000. This was to restart goat rearing that I formerly engaged in but they all died due to drought and chronic illnesses. I am happy that through the transfer, I was able to accomplish my desire of restarting the livestock rearing. I am planning to spend the next transfer to purchase food for my family since we are experiencing famine in our area. With the remaining amount, I will start small-scale poultry farming. This will serve as an alternative source of living to replace the crop farming which was adversely affected by the drought situation.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($10 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 6 am I was still resting on my bed when I received a message notification on my phone. Being illiterate, I had to wait until my grandchild woke up for him to interpret the message for me. I felt extremely happy when I was informed that it was the transfer that I was promised by GiveDirectly that I had received. I was pretty sure that my life will be transformed for the better since I had planned to use the transfer wisely.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Able to own a reliable source of income for my family after starting poultry rearing is the biggest difference in my life. Previously, I was dependent on substance farming which is no longer reliable due to the severe drought that we had been experiencing for many years now.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 600 of my transfer to start Poultry farming by purchasing 2 chicken for a start. I had wished to own an alternative reliable source of income since the substance farming I have depended on is not sustainable due to the severe drought due to climate change. With the remaining amount, I bought sufficient food for my family. I am also planning to use my next to restart goat rearing a job that I have depended on sometime back but they all died due to lack of pasture and water as a result of the drought.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have for a long time imagined the happiness and comfort that comes with sleeping on a modern bed and a mattress. This wish has never materialized due to financial constraints and I have always spent my nights on a roped bed and sacks. With the grant from GiveDirectly, my hope is awakened and I plan to break the status quo and live a joyful life. To ensure this comes to reality, I only need 20000 KES to buy the beddings and this means saving my transfers to raise this cash. The remaining transfers will cater to other basic needs like food and clothing. Receiving this money, therefore, means raising my living standards.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I never realized how it feels good to be a mother and a grandmother at the same time. In December festivals, my daughter and her children visited me to celebrate Christmas together. During this time, they bought me new clothes and other gifts that made my festive season joyous. Hence, I consider this as what has brought happiness in my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My greatest distress at the moment is the uncertainty that comes with the unreliable sources of income to my 2 children whom I depend on most. Their jobs are casual, mostly in the construction sites and their income is very low. This pushes me to forfeit some meals and in most cases, I survive on one meal in a day.
