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.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received the unconditional cash transfer, I knew I had to prioritize the most pressing needs for my family. The first thing I did was use $40 to pay part of my son’s Form 1 school fees, which had been in arrears. While I wasn’t able to clear the balance entirely, reducing the debt gave me some relief and allowed my son to continue his studies without fear of being sent home. I then used $76 to buy food items, including maize flour, beans, and sugar, to ensure my family had enough to eat. Having food security was incredibly important, especially with children at home depending on me. Knowing that my family wouldn’t go to bed hungry was a weight lifted off my shoulders. With the remaining $80, I invested in two goats. This was a long-term decision because goats multiply quickly and serve as a valuable asset. In case of emergencies, I can always sell them or use their offspring to build further wealth. My hope is that these investments will not only provide stability for now but also help me build a better future for my family.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference I have seen since receiving the transfer is that my family is now able to eat well without constantly worrying about where the next meal will come from. Before, I depended on charcoal burning to make money, and with what little I earned, we could only afford one proper meal a day. It was always a struggle. But with the transfer, everything has changed. Now we can have two proper meals a day, and even better, I no longer have to worry about tomorrow’s meals because we’ve been able to stock enough food. This has brought so much peace and stability to my household, and I’m truly grateful.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was in the forest, tending to my cows, when my phone buzzed with a message notification around 3 p.m. I couldn’t resist reading it immediately, and as soon as I saw it, my heart leapt with joy—it was the unconditional cash transfer from GiveDirectly. I felt a wave of relief and excitement wash over me, but being alone with the cows, I decided to wait until I got home to share the incredible news. When I finally told my husband and children, the entire family was overjoyed. We had been waiting anxiously for this money to clear the school fees for our two children in secondary school, and now, that worry was lifted.
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access_time 3 months ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My hubby is the sole breadwinner for our family. In April 2024, the flash floods caused extensive damage to Masai Mara resort, where he worked as a staff member. Due to the closures, he was unfortunately laid off. We were shocked by the news and had to prepare ourselves for the difficult times ahead, learning to adjust our budget and live within our means. We struggled a lot to put food on the table and meet our family needs. My two sons, Brian and Eugene, who are in secondary school, were also affected by the loss of our family's source of income. Covering their school fee arrears has become an additional challenge for us.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Our situation would have been much more difficult if we had not invested in livestock farming. My husband’s layoff brought numerous challenges to our family, but I am grateful that our goats have been a significant source of support during this tough time. This motivates me to work harder for my children and give them a better life.
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I believe that education will pave the way for a better future for my sons, Eugene and Brian. I hope to support their academic dreams with the funds from GiveDirectly. I plan to use $390 to pay their school fees for next academic year. This will give them humble time to focus on their studies. Our family land is not arable, making it difficult to cultivate food for my family. I plan to invest $130 to lease land for planting maize to support my family. I will use the remaining money to stock food and buy clothes for my family of eight.