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.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My primary objective is to concentrate on goat rearing. Using the previous cash transfers, I have started building my goat herd, which has already proven to be invaluable, especially during emergencies. For instance, when my son was injured, I sold some of the goats to cover his medical expenses quickly. This experience has strengthened my commitment to livestock rearing, as it offers a reliable source of funds in times of need. I am also dedicated to ensuring that my children stay in school and that we have enough food. Currently, I have managed to purchase ten goats hence I want to make sure that I take good care of them.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received my most recent transfer, I decided to invest in a project that would provide long-term benefits, even after the transfers end. Given the unpredictability of small-scale farming due to weather conditions, having an additional income source is crucial for supporting my family consistently. Therefore, I used part of the transfer to buy a female goat for rearing, costing $34. I also spent $33.20 on food because my household was out of supplies. Additionally, I paid $20 in school fees for my five children to ensure they could continue their education without interruptions. Finally, I bought a chicken for $9, as chickens are a good investment; they can be sold to address any financial issues that may arise.
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($27 USD)
access_time 7 months ago
attach_money
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My primary objective is to focus on goat rearing. Utilizing the previous cash transfers, I have already begun building my goat herd. These goats have proven to be invaluable assets, particularly during emergencies like when my son was injured. In that situation, I sold some of the goats to finance his medical expenses promptly. This experience has inspired my commitment to livestock rearing, as it provides me with a reliable source of funds in times of need.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received the funds, I immediately allocated $68 to purchase two goats and four chickens. I acquired them intending to have a fallback option; in times of need, I could sell them to obtain money for food and other necessities. While my husband primarily provides for our household by splitting and selling firewood to sustain our meals, we have seven children, six of whom are currently attending school. Their father assumes responsibility for all their school expenses, while I contribute as much as I can, given my lack of a stable income. The cash transfers have provided me with the flexibility to contribute during emergencies, which brings me immense relief. One such instance was when my son suffered an injury while playing football, resulting in a broken arm. The medical treatment was costly, amounting to $32, but I am grateful that he has since recovered and regained his cheerfulness.
14th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 12 months ago
attach_money
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The coming year holds a profound goal close to my heart. I'm determined to expand my goat herd, investing in more goats strategically so that by the time my kids are ready to transition to high school and college, I'll have a sustainable means to raise their fees. The education of my children is paramount, and I see these goats as more than just livestock; they represent the key to securing their future. Each goat is a step closer to ensuring that my kids receive the education they deserve, setting them on a path to success. With careful planning and dedication, I believe this investment will not only support their academic journey but also empower our family towards a brighter tomorrow.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
A substantial part of my recent cash transfer, approximately $26, was dedicated to realizing a long-cherished dream: owning livestock. With this money, I acquired three chickens and a goat, animals I had yearned to have for a considerable time. As someone without a job and dependent on my husband's subsistence farming, financial constraints always prevented me from fulfilling this desire. Now, with these thoughtful additions to my household, there's a renewed sense of hope and security. I believe that having these animals will not only bring joy to our home but also serve as a means to tackle any unforeseen emergencies that might arise. The remaining funds were wisely allocated to address other pressing needs. I purchased clothes worth $5 for my seven children, who had been wearing tattered clothes, making it challenging for them to interact with their friends. The transformation in their appearance has brought a newfound joy, and they can now confidently engage with their peers. Lastly, with the remaining $3.7, I secured food for our family of nine. This has been a beacon of hope, especially in times of constant famine. The unconditional cash transfer has not just met our immediate needs but has also planted seeds of optimism for a more secure and stable future.
10th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($24 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
attach_money
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Enrolling my five children in school has always been a challenge, as paying their fees proved to be an uphill task until the transfers came into play. My children were sent home numerous times due to my inability to pay their school fees on time. However, the arrival of the transfer has been a game-changer, as it now ensures that my children can attend school without interruptions. I rely heavily on these transfers to cover my children's educational expenses because I do not have a regular source of income. Looking ahead, my main and unwavering goal for the coming year and beyond is to prioritize my children's education. I am determined to continue using the transfer to pay their fees promptly, guaranteeing that their learning journey remains uninterrupted and their educational aspirations are achieved. The assistance provided by the transfer has provided much-needed relief, relieving me of the burden of school fees. It has allowed my children to attend school without worry, and I am extremely grateful. Ensuring that my children receive a quality education and foster a promising future for them is my utmost priority.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Paying school fees for my five children has been an immense struggle, leading to frequent disruptions in their education as they were sent home due to inability to meet the required fees on time. Thanks to the financial support, my children can now attend school comfortably, and their education is no longer at risk. The assistance has proven invaluable in securing their access to education, and I am grateful for this opportunity. In addition to the challenges with school fees, providing for my family was also a constant burden. We often faced food shortages, making it difficult to meet our daily needs. Nevertheless, the relief brought by the transfers has been remarkable. With this financial support, I have been able to purchase enough food to sustain us for weeks, alleviating the burden of food scarcity and ensuring that my family is well fed. Furthermore, I also invested in buying four chickens, which I am currently rearing. These chickens represent a valuable asset for me, as my goal is to raise them and let them multiply. This will give me the option to sell them in case of any financial emergencies, providing a safety net for my family's financial stability.
6th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
attach_money
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My main goals that I would wish to accomplish are; to have a livestock rearing project. I would be setting aside part of my monthly transfers of around $10 so that I could purchase chicken and later sell them to buy goats, with this, I would be one of the greatest farmers in the area. I would also wish to educate my children without any challenges of school fees and with the livestock in place, getting the money would not be difficult because I would be selling some livestock to get the money
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The transfers that I received were of great help to my entire family. I had five school-going children, and each one of them was required to pay some amount of money to enable them to sit for their examination but I had nothing at all since my husband and I had no reliable source of income and I also had nowhere to borrow from. Fortunately, I received the transfers and I was so grateful. I managed to pay $20 which I divided among my 5 children and I finally felt a great relief from the huge burden I had. I also bought food worth $7, and since I wanted to start a chicken-rearing project, spent $7 on buying 2 chicken to start off the project. Words could not express how happy I was.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($28 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
attach_money
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The organization's decision to send us money directly to our phones is something I like. This is a risk-free and secure way to make sure the transfer gets to the intended recipient. In my own case, the money is assisting me in meeting needs that I was unable to meet due to a lack of funds and an unstable source of income. The organization is prospering, and I want them to keep operating in the same way.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Before I got my transfer, paying for my three kids' school expenses was my biggest headache. As the third term came to an end, it was necessary to pay off any outstanding school fee balances. Since I lacked the funds to pay for their return to school, they were sent home to until they paid their school fees. When I received my transfer, I was ecstatic because I spent $15 to pay my children's back-school fee arrears. In addition, I spent $10 on food for the family. For the entire week, neither my husband nor I were able to make any sales, making it impossible to purchase food for the family. In the end, I spent $10 to purchase four hens. This was both a wise investment for the future and as alternative source of income. Once they have multiplied, I will sell some of them and use the proceeds to take care of any urgent matters, such as paying my children's school expenses and stocking up on food.
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?
It was 3 pm, and I was at home burning charcoal when I received a text message. It said I had received $12 I ran to my husband who was working with me and showed him the text message, he recognized it was from Givedirectly because he also receives it, and I was happy. That evening I went to withdraw the money and the following morning I went to school to clear the school balance.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
It was my first time receiving the transfer, which was $12. Receiving this transfer has enabled me to pay school fees for my children.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
This was the first time receiving transfers from Givedirectly which was $12. I spent the transfer to pay school fees for my child who is in grade four a total of $4 and bought food and water at $4. I produce charcoal and my husband takes it to the market for sale. Each week I produce three sacks which I sell at $3 a sack. The profits from the business are used to buy food and water for my family. My husband and I help each other and some days are better than others. Whenever we produce more than seven sacks of charcoal he takes it to the nearby market and sells it at $7 a sack, this helps pay school fees for my seven children.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Investing in a long-term project that I will depend on in the future has been my greatest desire that has yet to materialize. With this cash grant, I am intending to buy some livestock, more so goats which multiply faster. I will start this project immediately and this means in the first 5 months of receiving my transfers I will be buying 1 goat every month. The other transfers will aid in getting my family's basic needs like food and nice bedding. Hence, this is what receiving this money means to me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I never expected GiveDirectly would reach us. It was a great moment of happiness when I heard about the arrival of this program in our village. This was a source of happiness for me because the cash grant will rescue me from all my worries.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The main economic activity in our area is charcoal burning. This work is currently not reliable because trees are not ni plenty. In a month, I mostly make 3 sacks that I sell to earn me 1800 KES. The income is very little and meeting our basic very needs is usually a challenge, in most cases, we survive on one meal a day. Painful point is that this has affected us health-wise since it has exposed us to malnutrition. Thus, I consider financial instability due to the lack of a reliable source of income as my greatest struggle at the moment.