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.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home alone when I received $180 from GiveDirectly. The moment I saw the message, I felt a rush of happiness. My first thought was to go see my wife and children, who were staying with my in-laws for safety after the recent floods. I wanted to share the good news with them and make a plan together on how to use the money. Knowing that this support would help us rebuild and move forward, I felt grateful and eager to reunite with my family to discuss our next steps.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference since I started receiving cash from GiveDirectly is that I can now see both my children and my mother happy, healthy, and comfortable. Before, I constantly worried about having enough food at home and about my mother’s struggle with her old, uncomfortable crutch. Now, with GiveDirectly’s support, I’ve provided food for my family, allowing me to focus on other needs and bringing peace to my household.
I’ve also managed to service my motorbike, ensuring it’s reliable for earning our daily income. But what means the most to me is seeing the joy and relief on my mother’s face after receiving a new crutch, and knowing my children are well-fed and cared for. This support has brought a new level of security and happiness to my family that I couldn’t provide before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving $180 from GiveDirectly, my wife and I sat down together to plan how to best use the funds. We decided to spend $46 on food to meet the urgent needs at home. With enough food now, my family is happier, and I am able to focus on other priorities, knowing they are taken care of.
We used another $60 to buy seeds, which I planted to grow vegetables. These will provide a steady supply of food for my family. As a motorbike rider, I depend on my bike for our daily income, so I spent $17 on servicing it. With this, I am ensuring it remains functional and reliable, as it supports my family’s needs.
With the remaining amount, I visited my mother in the hospital and bought her a new walking crutch. Her old one was uncomfortable and worn out, so this new crutch has brought her comfort and made her mobility much easier.
I am incredibly grateful to GiveDirectly for this support, which has allowed me to meet my family’s basic needs, invest in our future, and care for my loved ones.
Enrolled
access_time 3 months ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Receiving the cash transfers means so much to me and my family. Firstly I have planned that for the first transfers I will ensure my family gets all that they need, this includes purchasing clothes, bedding and food. I intend to spend KES 18000 of the first transfers on this. For the second cash transfer I intend to plant vegetables on my farm. This will be a source of money for my family. i intend to spend about KES 25000 of the transfers on this. For the remaining KES 5000 I intend to purchase 5 sheep. This is important for me because it will be a good investment since my village is a good place to keep sheep. For the third cash transfer I intend to use KES 30000 to pay off my university fees arares. This will enable me to get my certificate and also I will be able to look for work. With the transfers I will surely change my life positively and in the right direction.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My family always brings me joy. I have one wife and three children. They always motivate me to work harder and also they bring me joy every day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I'm facing many challenges currently. However the floods that hit our village recently is the biggest challenge I'm struggling with. I had grown vegetables with the hope of getting some money from it but when the floods came I lost everything. This has really affected me and my family financially.
