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.
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3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($295 USD)
access_time 12 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the upcoming year and beyond, my primary focus is on personal and professional growth through educational advancement. My goal is to upgrade my qualifications by pursuing a certificate course in early childhood development (ECD). This decision is rooted in a passion for contributing meaningfully to the development and well-being of young minds. Acquiring this certification not only represents a commitment to lifelong learning but also opens doors to opportunities where I can make a positive impact on early childhood education. I am excited about the prospect of deepening my knowledge in this field, and I believe that this educational journey will not only enrich my own life but also allow me to play a more significant role in nurturing the potential of the next generation.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has truly excelled in transforming my life completely. The unconditional money they provided not only alleviated immediate financial stress but, more importantly, granted me the freedom to decide how to use it. This autonomy has been empowering, allowing me to make choices that best suit the unique needs of my situation. Whether it's investing in education, improving living conditions, or addressing pressing family needs, the flexibility GiveDirectly has afforded me has been instrumental. The impact is not just monetary; it's about restoring agency and dignity. I am now witnessing positive changes in my life that extend far beyond the initial financial support, and for that, I am profoundly grateful to GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The recent unconditional cash transfer provided a transformative opportunity for me. I allocated a substantial part of it, amounting to $211.8, to expand my house by adding another room. The previous single-room structure couldn't comfortably accommodate my family of four, leading to a lack of privacy and a constant feeling of discomfort. Now, with the additional space, we can host visitors, and there's a sense of improved well-being for all of us. The funds were utilized for purchasing essential construction materials such as iron sheets, timber, cement, and nails, along with covering labor costs. Wanting to enhance not just the structure but also the safety of my home, I invested $200 in a wire mesh. This addition addressed the issue of livestock intrusion, which was a recurrent problem causing damage to my crops. With the remaining amount, I wisely chose to buy a wheelbarrow. This seemingly simple tool holds significant value in my daily life, aiding in the transportation of various items for both farming and domestic activities. As a farmer selling fruits and with my spouse working as a teacher (not permanently employed), our combined daily earnings of around $15 often felt insufficient. However, this cash transfer has been a blessing, bringing tangible improvements to our living conditions and providing valuable tools for our daily tasks.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($306 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
As I gaze into the upcoming year and beyond, my primary goal is to enroll in a teacher's training college. By doing so, I aim to improve not only my own future but also that of my children. The ultimate objective is to alleviate the financial burdens we face. I firmly believe that with dedication and time, I can transform this vision into a concrete reality. My plan is to use the income generated from my farming venture to support this endeavor. I am filled with profound gratitude for all that I have achieved thus far
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The officials responsible for the census and registration process displayed remarkable efficiency in carrying out their duties. They adeptly introduced us to the program and provided us with thorough information. We were granted ample time to voice our thoughts, and our opinions were treated with the utmost respect. This high degree of consideration and inclusiveness only reinforced my favorable view of GiveDirectly's operations.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving my second transfer, my immediate priority was to secure piped water for our home. This had been our most pressing need because the stream was quite distant, and fetching water from there daily was a cumbersome task. Unfortunately, this essential upgrade had remained out of reach due to financial constraints. My husband is a teacher, and I am farmer. We are blessed with two children and we relied on our combined income to meet our basic needs. I spent $240 towards the water connection, a significant step forward. Additionally, I invested $150 in acquiring a cow, a valuable asset for our family. To enhance our food security, I purchased a sack of maize for $53. We deeply appreciate the support from GiveDirectly, as it has had a profound and positive impact on our overall quality of life.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($140 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home, feeling tired after a day of working on the groundnuts in the farm, and I was looking forward to taking a nap. However, my plans were interrupted when I received a message notification on my phone. Curious, I checked it and to my delight, it was the transfers from GiveDirectly. I couldn't contain my happiness because this meant that I could finally have a toilet in my home compound. For a while now, my family and I had been sharing a toilet with our neighbors, and it had been a source of inconvenience and discomfort. The prospect of having our own toilet felt like a significant improvement in our living conditions. The transfers have given us hope and a chance for a better quality of life, and I am excited about the positive impact it will continue to have on our family.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Having an adequate quantity of food brings me immense happiness, especially considering the times when we struggled to have enough or even went without it. Similarly, the presence of a proper toilet in our home has made a significant difference in our lives. The lack of a toilet used to bring feelings of shame and embarrassment when inviting people to our home. However, with the toilet now available, we can welcome guests without worrying about directing them to our neighbors' compound for their convenience. These improvements in our living conditions have brought a sense of dignity and comfort to our lives. It is a testament to the positive impact that GiveDirectly's support has had on our family. The assistance has alleviated some of the most pressing challenges we faced, enhancing our overall well-being and quality of life. I am grateful for the positive changes that the support has brought into our lives. It has given us the opportunity to experience joy and contentment, knowing that our basic needs are being met, and we can now live with dignity and pride.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used $160 of the support I received from GiveDirectly to build a toilet in my home. It had been an embarrassing situation for my family and me, having to direct visitors to our neighbors' compound whenever they needed to use a restroom. The lack of a proper toilet in our own home was a source of discomfort and inconvenience. The ability to construct a toilet has brought a significant sense of relief and dignity to our lives. With the remaining $40, I purchased food supplies. This allocation ensured that my family's stomach needs are met, providing us with the necessary sustenance to lead a healthy life. The support from GiveDirectly has made a meaningful difference in our living conditions. I am grateful for the assistance, which has enabled us to address a fundamental need and enhance our overall well-being.
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Receiving the transfers means so much to me and my family since it will surely transform our lives. For the first transfers we have planned to purchase food since it's the most pressing need. We plan to purchase a bag of maize and 30 kgs of beans and other foodstuffs. This will cost us about $150 for the first transfers. For the remaining amount, we plan to purchase other basic needs such as cooking fat and sugar. When we receive the second and third transfers we have planned to build a kitchen and a toilet. These are two structures that we have desired to have for a long time but because of a lack of finances, we've not been able to build them. We plan to use $500 of the transfers to make this a success. For the remaining transfers, we plan to fence our small compound and purchase a cow. Fencing our compound will enable us to plant trees such as pawpaws and mangoes since it will protect them from livestock. The cow I will purchase will help so much since at the moment I'm forced to spend 7 dollars each day to buy milk. Once I purchase my cow I will not buy milk but will have some to use and also sell to my neighbors. Receiving these transfers will have a positive impact on my life and I'm looking forward to receiving them.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the past 6 months, the aspect that has brought me joy is the rains that came in April. This was one of the most joyous moments. I was happy because this meant that we would plant crops and vegetables on our farm. Since then, I haven't had to purchase vegetables from the local traders since I grew my own. I'm glad also that I managed to plant groundnuts which I intend to sell in the market. I'm happy and thank God for the rain.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Recently life has become very difficult because of the high cost of living in our nation. This has made it impossible to live a comfortable life and has also made life very difficult. One of the challenges I gave because of this is the lack of food. We struggle to get food since for the past three years we've not been able to have productive farming because of the prolonged drought. This has been made worse by the high cost of living which has made it very difficult to afford basic food products such as maize and beans. In addition to this, water shortage is the other challenge that I'm faced with. We have a water project that was started in the past few months which we use for domestic needs. However, the water is not enough since it only comes once or twice a week. This makes it very difficult to plant vegetables and other crops for food. These two are the major challenges that make my life very difficult.
