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?
GiveDirectly does extremely well by helping the less fortunate in society. Hunger in our area is the biggest challenge I have had to deal with. The unconditional transfers have helped me ease the suffering and I am grateful for that. I would like to recommend the organization to have physical follow-ups to check on the impact the transfer has on the life of the recipients.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a farmer who practices both crop and animal farming. The past year has been unfavorable in planting crops because of the effects of drought. As a result, I lost my only source of income and embarked on raising the little livestock left after losing many of them to the effects of the drought. I have one dairy cow left which produces three litters of milk per day. The money I get after selling the milk is only enough to buy food for a day for both my son and I. After buying food I have no money left to cater to other needs such as paying school fees for my son, buying clothes, and buying animal feeds. I spent KES 1700 to buy a goat. Buying the goat means investing for the future once it multiplies. Another reason for buying the goat is because they can survive through the harsh weather we are currently in. Besides buying the goat, I bought a Jembe worth KES 700 to till my land to prepare for the planting season. The weather has recently changed. The sky is full of dark nimbus clouds, a sign that soon we will receive rain. This excites me and I am excited and looking forward to going back to the farm and working again.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was busy at the farm when I got the message confirming the receipt of the transfer. I felt happy. I dropped all that I was doing and headed home due to the excitement I had. I was now certain that things would work out for me. I will now be able to contribute to my child's education.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I have seen a few changes ever since I started receiving the funds from give directly. Despite it being my first transfer, I have made some progress in my life. That is, the four chickens I bought have already started laying eggs.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a farmer by profession. With my age, I can barely do half the things I used to. So, I started depending on my son, who currently works as a tailor at a rubber company in the city. My two children who are still in school depend on him for financial support, especially the youngest one who is currently in class 7. My other child, on the other hand, completed her secondary studies and she will be joining college once we are able to raise her tuition fee. Currently, the youngest one has school fee arrears of KES1,200. This was after I paid 800 shillings from the funds I got from give directly. With the money, I also bought three chickens at 1350 and some food at KES850.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means starting livestock keeping that will act as my long-term investment project. This will be my store of wealth because it will help me to sell some, whenever a need arises. To ensure this comes to reality I intend to buy 1 goat after every 2 months. This will assure me confidence in life because for now, I am so worried about how to support my son's education who is now in class 6. The other transfers will help me to repair the walls of my house which were eroded by rain. Also, the money will cater to other basic needs like food and nice beddings.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I have a daughter who is doing casual work in Nairobi and she has been so helpful to me especially in the last 6 months when my weaving job was not reliable. She used to send me $5 per week which has helped me a lot and I could be getting my meals every day. Hence, I consider this as what has brought about happiness in my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I work as a basket weaver, a job that earns me very little income ($1) per 1 basket that I make in 10 days. This income can not fully cater for my family of 2 and my son has been frequently sent out of school due to the lack of fees. Hence, I consider the lack of a stable source of income as the main challenge that I am currently facing.
