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?
The unconditional Transfer that we get from GiveDirectly is the best as we can accomplish some wishes that we had since our childhood. Because of unavoidable circumstances, we could not fulfill some of our wishes. Now that I have received the transfer, I will fulfill some of my wishes.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have always wanted to have a pleasant house for myself. When my husband died, he left me with the sole responsibility of educating and taking care of my children. Now that I could do that, I want to use the funds to fulfill some wishes that I have in my mind. I have always wanted to own livestock of my own. Upon receiving the funds, I saved KSH 1500 so that I can be able to buy a goat once I receive my next transfer. The goat will be a major step towards planning my future as a livestock framer. Because of the poor state of my health, I cannot work. I have been experiencing waist and legs pains for the second year now. This has made it difficult for me to fetch water and do strenuous house chores. It is because of this that I spent KSH 500 to buy water from water vendors. I then spent the remaining KSH 1000 to buy food. I currently do not have any job and depend on my son. He engages in manual jobs with tiny payments which are not enough to take care of both his family and me. To shoulder this burden, I opted to buy food and share it with the family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received the text message at 9 am. I was just tying up my goats near my homestead. I was not feeling well that day. I was supposed to take the goats to the field to graze but then I opted to just tether them around my home. When I checked my phone I found out that I had received the text message. I was very happy. I quickly cleaned up and went to the hospital.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The money has brought about a great difference in my life. I went to the hospital and sought medication. I am now healthy and back on my feet. I was also able to buy food using the money. The food and fruits I bought have greatly helped me on the road to my recovery and I am very grateful.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The biggest challenges I am currently facing with my family are having food and water. I am a farmer and have ever since I have depended on the farm. I grow crops which I use as food and at times sell the other products in the market and earn money from that. The farms are no longer productive due to the harsh weather we are experiencing. My health is also not that good I constantly fall ill and this has also contributed to my suffering. When I received the transfer I spent KSH 1500 to go and seek medication. I was at that time not feeling well. With the illness, I had to eat well and so I spent KSH 1000 buying food that fed the whole family. My health state does not allow me to carry heavy things so I decided to purchase water. Getting water is currently very hard. One has to walk for 30 to 50 kilometers to get this precious commodity.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I sell palm wine for a living. The business used to peak during the rainy season. As at now, drought has ravaged our village and though the customers are there, the supply is relatively low and at high cost. I plan to use the GiveDirectly transfers to add two gallons of palm wine for sale. At least, I will be able to earn more profits.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am very happy to see that I managed to take my children to school, single-handedly.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I was married to a polygamous husband. I happen to be the second wife among the three wives of my dear husband. Upon his untimely death, my children were still young and needed a close eye for care. Being jobless, had to think of how best I can to support my children. I decided to venture into palm wine selling, a business that I had not decided to engage in because I am a Christian. I was discriminated against in church to the extent of expulsion. It hurts me seeing that I am no longer a Christian just because of how I was struggling for my children.
