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?
In the coming years, I hope to expand my farming business. When I get my third transfer, I will use the money to buy cows. This will help my family by providing us with milk, which will save us money from buying it, and I can also sell the milk to generate income. With the money from the cows, I plan to buy food and other essentials for my family. I believe this investment will improve our lives and make us more self-sufficient. I am hopeful that with these steps, my family will be happier and more secure in the future.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has been very reliable, and I appreciate that they always fulfill their promises. They do not lie or make false commitments, which has made me trust them even more. I really like how they follow up with us to make sure everything is going well and that we are using the money properly. This follow-up shows their dedication to helping us and ensuring the money is used for its intended purpose. From my experience, I did not notice anything bad about how they operate. Overall, I am grateful for their support, and everything has been handled well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Life had been tough, especially with my family struggling to meet basic needs. My children had nowhere to sleep because the old bed and mattress were too small for all of us, so I spent $90 on a new bed and mattress to ensure they had a comfortable place to rest. I also bought a beehive for $90, seeing it as a great investment for the future. I can harvest honey and sell it, which will provide food for my family and income for many years to come. Farming had always been my way of making ends meet, and now with the bees, I believe it will bring even more stability.Furthermore, I used $100 to pay for my sister's school fees because she had been staying with me, and we support each other. I know how important education is, so helping her with her fees was a priority. To invest in my future, I bought one sheep for $50, as I wanted to start owning livestock like others around me. This sheep will multiply and, in time, help me sell and pay for school fees for my children. I also bought $30 worth of clothes because my family needed new clothes for the upcoming vacations and celebrations.With the remaining funds, I used the money to buy food for my family. I have three children to take care of, and both my wife and I work hard as farmers, managing livestock and growing crops. Life has changed for the better, and we thank God for this opportunity to improve our lives with the support from GiveDirectly.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
18240 KES ($142 USD)
access_time 3 months ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home that evening, doing some work, when I received a message on my phone. Upon checking the contents to confirm receipt, I was overjoyed to learn that it was an Mpesa notification, informing me that I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. This money brought huge relief for me, as I had been facing a lot of stress due to recent floods that destroyed my belongings. I remember calling them to thank them for the support, which helped me recover from the stress.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I am extremely grateful for the recent support from GiveDirectly, which has helped me to cope with the adverse effects of floods that recently struck in my area. Besides destroying my belongings, the floods also vandalized my crops. Initially, my family had to relocate to a safe place, where we depended on support from well-wishers. The transfer from GiveDirectly came at the right time when I was in dire need of assistance. Since the floods made it impossible to work, meeting our basic needs became a challenge. Upon receiving the first transfer, I was able to purchase enough food to sustain us for several weeks and also buy new clothes for my family, as we were unable to salvage many items, including clothes, during the floods. As I slowly recover from the shock of the floods, the transfer has provided a starting point towards our recovery.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have always wanted to keep livestock, which do well in our region, but I could not afford to buy them on my own. I rely on casual jobs for my livelihood, and I have always considered livestock as assets that I can rely on for my financial needs. When I received my first transfer, I bought a sheep for $60. I plan to keep it and intend to buy more of these to grow a herd. In addition, I also paid school fees amounting to $50 for my sibling, who is currently in high school. This has allowed him to stay in school and no longer face interruptions due to fees. Lastly, I spent the remaining amount on buying foodstuffs that could last us for weeks and also did shopping for new clothes for my family of four. The recent floods destroyed our belongings, including the foodstuffs we had stored and clothes, and we could only salvage a few items. I am glad that as the situation returns to normal, my family has enough food to last, even as I look for a job to sustain my family.
Enrolled
access_time 5 months ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I have known no peace for the past twelve years after being displaced by bandits due to insecurity. I have been living in borrowed land since then and I am not comfortable with it. I plan on using the transfers to purchase a piece of land for farming and later use the proceeds to construct a house for my family. I am thankful to God for the transfers will change my life.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My second born son was born six months ago and that has really brought me happiness. I am thankful to God for his protection and hoping my children will grow up healthy. They are the reason I wake up everyday to fend for them.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Living as an internally displaced for ten year has not been easy. In 2012 I was displaced by bandits and we fled with my family only to be displaced in 2020 again by floods. It has been challenging living in people land and borrowing houses. I am hopeful that one day I will get to settle down.