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 am happy to be part of the GiveDirectly program and receive unconditional transfers. Life would have been difficult had I not received the support. With farming now impossible to do, then I'm left to rely on the monthly transfers for my needs such as buying foodstuffs and paying fees. Thus, in my opinion, lives are changing because of the unconditional transfers, not only to me but also to my fellow villagers.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The transfers have ensured that I have enough food in my household. For the past months, I have struggled a lot to at least buy a single meal for my family. I depended on subsistence farming which has not been doing well due to the drought that has persisted for a year now. I do not have a source of income that I could rely on to fulfil my needs. I am glad that food has not been a challenge after receiving the transfers. I am now able to take three meals a day unlike before when I could skip meals. In addition to this, I now own two chickens and two ducks that I purchased through the money. I believe once these birds increase in number, I can rely on them for my future needs like school fees for my children.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($10 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 8am in the morning when I was in my farm preparing the land to the coming rainy season when I heard a message tone on my phone .I asked my daughter to help me read the message who confirmed the good news. I was filled with so much joy that I stopped the farming exercise and rushed home to plan on how to withdraw the cash
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The transfers will bring a big difference because I have plans to improve my roofing structure which is old and rusty .Due to the anticipated rainy season,I have found need to have it repaired so as to avoid the heavy leaking of water from the roof.I intend to increase my number of chicken on monthly basis and plan to use the profits to pay my children's school fees.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Food security situation has been worsening in my area attributed mainly by the poor performance of short rains. My husband who mainly depends on his livestock and farming have been going through tough times due to the prolonged drought. Upon receiving the cash transfer I could not think of any other better way of spending the cash than to use KES 670 to buy food and used KES 500 to buy chicken which is an investment in future.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
When I get this money, I will building another house. The one I live in doesn't have a good design for an old person like me. I would prefer a heaped roofing style than a gabled one which I currently have. I will also have that opportunity to expand it and create more space to comfortably accommodate my family. This might cost about 50000 KES and so I will have to either save up or buy materials in bits.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I was really happy in December when my daughter who's already married visited me here at home. She brought a lot of basic household items that for sometime I didn't have to worry or work so hard to provide for my family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have a daughter with a medical condition that requires a lot of management. To do this I need money at least most of the time. She's still in primary six and has an alarming level of stomach ulcers. It's been attacking her so frequently putting her in a very bad condition that she can't even attend school. The last time I took her to hospitals, I didn't have enough money so she did not get the tablets she needed to manage the condition. This is still my biggest challenge and I'm worried it might attack again soon.
