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.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My plan is to use my third transfer to purchase livestock, which I can care for and benefit from in the future. This will not only help improve my income but also provide a safety net in case of emergencies. By selling the livestock when needed, I can manage unexpected expenses and ensure my family's well-being. Raising livestock will also give me the opportunity to build a valuable asset that can grow over time. I am hopeful that this investment will bring stability to our lives and improve our financial situation. With this, I will be able to plan better for the future and support my family more effectively.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
What impressed me the most about GiveDirectly is how organized their plans are. During the barazas, they took the time to educate us and shared positive news that really lifted my spirits, especially the idea of receiving free money. The way they communicated with us made me feel valued and informed. I didn’t notice anything bad about GiveDirectly; everything was done well. The officers explained things clearly, and we always knew what to expect. I am grateful for their support and how smoothly everything has gone.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The floods caused great destruction to our home, and it was a heartbreaking experience watching everything we had worked for wash away. My children had nowhere to sleep, as the floods destroyed their room, which was made of grass and mud walls. They were forced to sleep in one room, with the older boys going to stay at a neighbor’s house. After receiving my second cash transfer, I knew I had to rebuild, so I spent $350 to build a one-room house made of iron sheets for my sons. This was a priority because my children’s well-being and safety were my biggest concern. Additionally, I used $20 to pay for my child’s medical bill after she fell ill with pneumonia. I was very worried, but now, thankfully, she’s doing much better. I also spent $30 to buy new clothes for my children. Their old clothes were worn out, and it was especially important for them to have something better for the holidays and everyday use. The remaining amount was used for food and small expenses while I worked casual jobs, like burning charcoal and helping on other people’s farms.Life has not been easy, but with these improvements, things are looking up. I have seven children to take care of, and my husband, who is a farmer, helps support the family. Together, we are managing much better than before, and I’m deeply grateful for the assistance from GiveDirectly. The cash transfer allowed us to make a fresh start and has truly made a difference in our lives.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
18240 KES ($141 USD)
access_time 3 months ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was doing laundry when a message notification buzzed my phone, I decided to pause and go check just in case it's an important message, to my surprise I had received my first transfer from Givedirectly I was happy, I wanted for my husband to return from the farm, told him and he was happy. We knew our plan to build our kids a house to sleep in was going to be realized after their room was destroyed by floods.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
We initially struggled with capital and faced the risk of losing the money we had spent on renting land for maize. After the floods, our plan to plant maize was stalled, and we feared wasting our investment. However, with the transfer, I used the funds to cultivate the land by planting watermelon instead. This choice proved to be a turning point. The watermelon cultivation, which I managed with a $50 investment in seeds, is thriving. I expect to harvest in less than two months and potentially earn about $1,000 if all goes well.The transfer allowed us to turn a challenging situation into an opportunity for growth.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had long wanted to plant maize but faced a challenge with capital. My husband and I do casual jobs and produce charcoal to meet the daily needs of our family of nine while making small savings. After a month, we finally rented land for planting maize. However, due to the floods, we had to postpone our plan and temporarily relocate. When we returned a month later, the floods had stopped, but we lacked the funds to proceed with planting, worried about losing the money spent on renting the land. Our hope was restored when the chief invited us to a community meeting, where we learned about GiveDirectly and their support. After enrolling, my first transfer went towards cultivating the land. Although I initially planned to plant maize, I chose watermelon instead due to pest issues and waterlogged conditions. I spent $50 on seeds and planted them ourselves to cut costs. The watermelon is growing well, and I expect to harvest in less than two months, potentially earning about $10 if all goes well. I plan to use this money to buy a generator, pipes, and reinvest in agriculture. Additionally, I bought kale seedlings and planted a kitchen garden to help with our daily needs. Since my children’s house was destroyed by floods, I now sleep in one room with all seven of my children while my husband sleeps with a relative. I decided to purchase iron sheets for $50, planning to buy more with my second transfer to build a new house for my children. To ensure we have food, I spent $30 to buy basic ones like maize. We also had only one chair and used old containers, so I bought two more chairs for $13. The remaining funds were used to buy uniforms and books for my children, as their previous ones were swept away by the floods.
Enrolled
access_time 5 months ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Financial freedom is what I desire most in my life. I have arable land but farming it has been an uphill task die to a lack of capital. I lease part of it to my neighbors because I cannot afford to farm all of it. I plan on purchasing a generator and seeds to enable me start up vegetable farming and expand on maize plantation. The proceeds I will get from selling the produce will be enough to sustain my family needs and investments. I am thankful to Give directly because my life will change.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Being in good health is what gives me happiness. When my children and I wake up in the morning, we thank God for being able to see another day. It gives me joy and the strength to go about my daily chores comfortably.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I rely on farming to make ends meet, it's seasonality makes it difficult to stabilize financially. Raising enough money to sustain my family basic needs is hard and most of the time am forced to do casual jobs to meet the needs of my household.