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?
Give directly has done extremely well by supporting my community and I financially. Before, I used to struggle to look for cash to meet my family's needs but now, it feels like I have an extra income. I am more focused on life and every day I work on improving my life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have a young family with only one child who will be turning three in April. I already so have three siblings who depend on me financially. So often, I would support myself through my mother from the earnings I get in my wine brewing and motorcycle business. On a daily basis, I normally make around ksh200. The funds I received from give directly have also boosted my finances and now I can do more with so much ease. For instance, in my first transfer, I bought a goat worth ksh1500, and the remaining amount, I substituted to what I have to buy a bed that cost me ksh4600. Then my second transfer I bought a 4x6 mattress that costs ksh3700. The ksh700 was from my earnings.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received the text message at around 9 am. I was on my farm harvesting the local brew. My phone rang out loudly and upon checking it out, I found out that I had received the transfer. I was very happy with that. I continued with my work and later when I got home I share the good news with her and proceeded with planning on how to use the transfer.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The transfer has brought about a big difference in my life. I am happy that I own a goat. I have for the longest time wanted to own livestock of my own but due to the financial situation I was in that had never been possible. I am also grateful that I have new pairs of clothes courtesy of the transfer.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Since the advent of the corona pandemic, everything changed for me and my family. I lost the only job I depended on. When I came back home I decided to venture into farming as an alternative source of income. I was heavily disappointed too. We have not received any rain to date and everything we planted in the farms went dried up. I then decided to turn to the only crop that is my savior for now. I have several coconut trees on my farm. With no work and with the urgency to survive the harsh economic reality I decided to start harvesting and sell the local brew that comes from the trees. With the business up running the cash I get is only enough to provide two meals a day for my family. On top of that, there are other needs that I am not able to tend to due to my low income. When I received the transfer I spent a large portion of the transfer, KSH 1800 on buying a goat. I plan to rear this goat and sell it over the festive season and with the money I will buy other young goats for rearing. In addition, I spent KSH 800 buying clothes. I had three pairs of clothes left. I so it wise to add more pairs of clothes. I also spent the rest of the money in buying more food for my family so that we do not go hungry.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have always wanted to have my own business, have a stable income, and be able to cater to my family's needs without failing. The income I get from tapping palm wine has not been enough. I plan to start breeding chicken for commercial purposes. It is more lucrative to breed layers than broilers. I will buy about two or three of them every month. This investment will come in handy when my baby girl starts school.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In July we had a friendly match within our village and I was one of the goalkeepers. I was rated as the goalkeeper of the day, out of the five penalties, I saved three of them.
The recognition and the 200KES I was awarded gave me a lot of joy.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a casual worker, a palm wine tapper. The risks involved in this job are many. I have to climb the palm tree to get the palms and the risk of falling is quite high. I cannot even imagine how my family would feed if something ever happened to me while on top of the tree. I know every job comes with its risks but I would like to get a more secure and less risky job.