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?
I would not lie that we never used to eat before we started receiving the transfers, but we could struggle to get a single meal per day. The idea of letting us decide on how we spend the transfers has led to a great transformation in our village. Most people are not straining to raise money for food while some have spent their money on school and businesses.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have saved KES 2000 of the second transfer to add to the third and later purchase both bed and a mattress. I only have one bed in my house so whenever my grandchildren visit I let them use my bed while I sleep on the ground. Whatever I earn from the charcoal business can not afford an extra bed therefore, I will take advantage of the transfers. KES 1000 I spent on food some of the foodstuffs for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($10 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
As soon as I realized that I had received my transfer, I felt so free. I also felt being relieved from the financial burden that was weighing me down. At that time, I did not have sufficient food items in the house, and I was worried about what I shall do in order to continue to support my family. Considering that I succeeded in the GD program, I have been experiencing some happiness which is beyond my control. Thanks to GiveDirectly for enrolling me in its program.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
With the hard economic situation that people are facing at the moment, I had been wondering whether I shall be able to overcome the same. This owing to the fact that I am a subsistence farmer and with the current global change phenomenon, I have not been able to reap good harvests from my farming practices. When I received the transfer, I considered buying food in order to ensure that my family is not experiencing perpetual hunger. I am now glad that we still have some food to feed on in the next couple of days.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
In my life, I rely on subsistence farming because I do not have an alternative source of income. Unfortunately, the past two seasons were characterised by low rainfall hence translating to failure of our crops. As a result, I have been struggling to acquire food for the members of my family. When I finally received my transfer, I opted to buy food for the household members. Food bought could take us for a couple of days before I begin to look for an alternative source of income to help me support my growing family. In addition, I spent KES 200 to buy a hen that I shall add to my fowl. My aim is to do poultry farming because out of it, I shall always be able to raise eggs for my household consumption.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My greatest desire is to repair the roof of my house which was temporarily made. On windy days, some iron sheets are blown away which is very risky to me and my neighbors too. My efforts to repair it has been in vain due to financial constraint and with this cash grant, I am so optimistic about realizing my dream. I intend to spend my monthly transfers in buying strong poles and nails to ensure it is made permanent. To ensure this is done, I only need to accumulate 20000 KES of my transfers. The other transfers will aid in venturing to livestock (goats) keeping as well as supporting me on very basic needs like food. Thus, this is generally what receiving this money means to me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The whole of last year was a very tough one for me in terms of getting some essential needs like water because I used to buy 40 liters at 200 KES. This was not easy for me since there was also a financial crisis. Fortunately, early this year, we received some short rain and our water pans are full. This has relieved me from the much stress of getting water and hence, I consider this as what has brought joy to my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am a housewife and I fully depend on my husband who is a casual laborer. His support to me on some basic needs like food has been inconsistent because his job is not reliable. Sometimes I am forced to survive on one meal a day something that has directly affected me health-wise. Hence, I consider food insecurity in my household as the main challenge that I am currently struggling with.
