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?
It was in the morning when I received a confirmation message from GiveDirectly, informing me that I had received $200. I was so happy, and my heart was filled with gratitude. Without hesitation, I immediately called the GiveDirectly hotline to express my thanks. My first thought was to use the money to harvest maize from the farm, as this was a priority for me and my family. The timely support brought me great relief and allowed me to focus on this important task.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life since I started getting transfers from GiveDirectly is that I have financial relief and can invest in my family's future. Before, I would have had to sell my livestock to pay for harvesting the maize, but with the help from GiveDirectly, I could keep my animals and take care of them. Also, my younger sibling is now able to go to school comfortably because I paid for his rent and gave him pocket money. This support has reduced my financial stress and allows him to focus on his studies without worries. I believe this stability will help him do better in school and have more opportunities in the future.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received $200 from GiveDirectly, it was timely support, and I am truly thankful for that. I used $78 to harvest the maize that I had planted in partnership with the Kenya Seed Company. My plan is to use the money from the farm to buy a safer place to relocate to, as I have been a victim of floods, and I want to mitigate this risk permanently. I also allocated $65 to pay rent for my younger sibling in college and provided him with pocket money because, as the firstborn, I have to take responsibility and ensure that my siblings' well-being is well taken care of. I spent the rest of the money on my personal needs, such as clothing. I am so grateful to GiveDirectly; may God bless you for this support!
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What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
After completing my degree in mechanical engineering 2 years ago, I hoped to get an employment opportunity so as to earn income but this has not been successful to date. To make ends meet, I practice charcoal burning ,farming and livestock keeping. It is even exciting now with the anticipated transfers as I plan on expanding my goats venture. I hope to spend KES80000 on purchasing more goats to add to the current 25 heads I have. Goat farming is manageable as I have enough land to rear them here . They also breed so fast with a low mortality rate. With this venture , I will be excited to have a future investment and a right of identity once I come from a pastoralist community.
What is the happiest part of your day?
For the past years , Baringo has been known for drought cases with hunger topping the list. As a farmer, I have been cultivating maize on my 2acres of land with the hope of getting some returns from it but all has been lost to drought. This year has been different. We have had plenty of rainfall which made the harvest bountiful.I was excited in August 2024 when I harvested 14 bags of maize from my 1 acre of land that I had leased from a neighbour . I earned KES25000 from the 10 bags of maize I sold and I stored the rest for my consumption. I do not have to worry about any hunger issues that might arise in the next few months.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I completed my university degree in mechanical engineering 2 years ago but I have never been employed. I resorted to farming, livestock keeping and charcoal burning to earn a living. Recently I have had a lot of business ideas with those of farming and livestock keeping seeming viable. Unfortunately, I lack capital to kickstart this business. If it does not rain, then the farms are idle here. I do not have the money to purchase the farm equipment and machinery such as a water pump and pipes to irrigate my farm on dry days. It pains me to see this land lie bare when it could otherwise be productive and earn me income.
