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.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
Around 4:00 PM, I was out on my one-acre farm, chasing away bothersome monkeys eyeing my ripe maize. My head was spinning with thoughts of how to gather money for the urgent harvest. The maize was ready, and waiting too long could ruin it. Suddenly, my phone buzzed in my pocket. Pulling it out, I saw a message from Mpesa confirming a transfer from GD. I was thrilled! It was perfect timing, lifting the burden of financial worries off my shoulders. Grateful, I thanked God for it. When I got back home after sunset, I excitedly shared the news with my spouse, who could not contain her happiness and broke into a celebratory dance. Thank you, GD.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Receiving the transfer has brought a sense of relief and happiness into my life. It is as if a heavy burden has been lifted from my shoulders. With the financial support, I was able to safeguard my only source of income, my maize crop, from being ruined by rain by harvesting it on time. This secured our income and also ensured food security for my family of three. Additionally, I seized the opportunity to lease an extra 3/4 acre of land, paving the way for potential additional income. My goal is to save more with the aim of relocating to a safer area, away from the threat of floods.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The transfer arrived at the perfect moment when I was in dire need. My one-acre maize was ripe for harvest, but I lacked the funds to proceed. Leaving it in the field for too long risked spoilage, and this crop was our only source of livelihood for my family of three. I was on the brink of taking out a loan when the transfer came through, relieving my financial stress. I allocated $50 for the harvesting process and used another $100 to lease an additional 3/4 acre of land, preparing it for planting to expand our income sources. My goal is to save from these earnings to purchase a safer plot for my family. We currently live in fear of floods, being close to the lake. Witnessing our close neighbours' losses and displacement due to the lake breaking its bank adds to my anxiety, highlighting our vulnerability. Additionally, I gave the remaining $50 to my spouse to handle immediate needs such as food items and toiletries, ensuring the impact of the transfer is felt directly by our family.
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What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
When I receive my transfers, my priority is to allocate $450 towards renovating our one-room house to accommodate my family of two. The current condition of our house is dangerous, as it is vulnerable to strong winds and leaks during rainy weather. Additionally, I plan to invest $300 into extensive agriculture to support our livelihood. This investment will not only contribute to our financial stability but also ensure food security and provide a comfortable living environment for my family. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to improve our circumstances and look forward to a brighter future ahead.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Despite the financial constraints my family of two faces, Iam grateful that life has been moving forward positively. During the Christmas holidays, my brother generously gave me $50 to support us with food. I was immensely thankful for the assistance because it enabled me to purchase both food and clothing for my family. Without this help, I would have had to resort to selling our goat and chicken to make ends meet during the season.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial instability is a constant challenge for me and my family of two, especially since we depend solely on farming for our livelihood. Unfortunately, our current financial situation does not allow us to invest in farm input like a water pump and irrigation pipes. As a result, I have had to make the tough decision to lease out our 6-acre piece of land for $360. With this money, I lease a 1-acre plot by the riverbanks for $100 and purchase essential farm inputs such as fertilizers and seeds. While leasing out land helps cover immediate expenses, I am actively seeking ways to secure capital or assistance to invest in irrigation equipment, knowing it will significantly improve our crop yields and financial stability in the long run.
