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?
This year and in the years to come, I plan to buy a motorcycle. Currently, I have a bicycle, but it can no longer meet my needs. I want to start a business transporting people and farm materials from the village to town, which I can’t do effectively with a bicycle. I plan to use the next transfer from GiveDirectly to buy at least a second-hand motorcycle. This will help me become self-sustaining and generate income even after GiveDirectly’s support ends. The thought of achieving this fills me with happiness and satisfaction.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
What stood out to me about GiveDirectly is their kindness and respect. They never do anything without getting an individual’s consent, and they never ask for favors to enroll anyone in their programs. What I would like to see them incorporate into their program is support for education, such as offering scholarships to vulnerable people. Personally, I have five children all in school, and the burden of paying school fees is overwhelming. A program like this would greatly help families like mine.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Recently, after receiving $450 from GiveDirectly, I was so happy and grateful for their support. I had long dreamed of building a new house for my five children because our old house was too small and couldn’t accommodate us properly. I used $330 to buy construction materials, and now we have a new, spacious house. This has made my dream come true, and my family can now sleep with dignity and enjoy privacy. I also used $80 to buy a smartphone, which has improved my standard of living. I can now connect with the world, stay updated on what’s happening globally, and keep up with how life is becoming more digital, even while living in the village. I am truly thankful to GiveDirectly for helping me achieve more than I ever thought possible.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
18240 KES ($143 USD)
access_time 5 months ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
While taking a nap at home around 3 PM with our son, whom I was looking after as my wife was unwell at the time, I received a message notification confirming a receipt of $183 from GiveDirectly. Overjoyed, I knew this would change our lives, especially allowing me to take my sick wife to the hospital. I immediately shared the news with her, and she was filled with joy. Without delay, I took her to the hospital, grateful to GiveDirectly for the timely support.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
It hurt so much to have my wife sick at home and not be able to get her to the hospital. My job was mainly casual, which I couldn't tend to as I had to care for our son while my wife was sick and we faced severe food shortages. We even accumulated debts at the shop getting food items on credit. The financial strain made it impossible to afford medical care for her. Thanks to GiveDirectly, everything has changed. I was able to take my wife to the hospital, and now she's doing well. We have adequate supply of food, and I've paid off our debts at the shop.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My wife was at home, suffering from pain that I couldn't help due to our financial constraints. I depended on casual jobs to sustain my family, although I had to look after our son while she battled a breast problem that left her unable to tend to him. This only meant I couldn't go to work; hence, I had no money to take her to the hospital or cater for our needs. When I received my transfer, I immediately took her to the hospital for treatment, for which I spent $13. Another urgent problem, since none of us could work at this time, was food scarcity. I used $95 to purchase maize, beans, and other essentials to sustain us. I also paid off a $21 debt I had at the shop for previous food purchases on credit. Additionally, I spent $36 on new clothes, as our old ones were worn out. The remaining $12 covered transportation costs. Thank you, GiveDirectly.
Enrolled
access_time 6 months ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I have been struggling to put food on the table for my family of seven with my little income. With GiveDirectly's cash transfer program, I will be able to buy enough food and clothes for my family. This will cost me KES 20,000 of my transfers. I have been dreaming of building my family a better house but lack of finance is my biggest setback. I am happy that through GiveDirectly's cash transfer I will be able to build a two-roomed house made of iron sheets for my family. It will cost KES 60,000 of my transfers. With the remaining money, I will invest in rearing goats.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Before it rained, my wife used to trek about 4 kilometers to fetch water for domestic use. I was feeling sad and sympertized on her, I was not able to give her a helping hand since in our culture fetching water is women's chores. It has been raining heavily for the last three months and water is now available in a nearby season river. I am happy that my wife is no longer walking for long distances to fetch water.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The memories are still fresh, we lost everything we had invested as a family. It was in the year 2021 when we experienced flash floods in our area. This opened a chapter of struggle and suffering in our life. We fled and found refuge here, our suffering never ends here. We are living in a road reserve and therefore we expect eviction from the government anytime. I am a casual labourer earning about KES 400 a day. This goes to food and other family basic needs, at the end of the day I am left with nothing to save. Our houses are also not in a good condition, we are forced to wrap it with polythene bags to avoid being raised on.
