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.
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3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($306 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In Kenya, where I call home, farming is not just a way of life; it is the very backbone of our economy. Here, families understand that to live, one must eat. Yet this area experiences adverse droughts often, so there is a need for crop diversification. Therefore, in the coming year, I hope to venture into millet and maize farming. This is because millet is drought-resistant and thrives best here. I will be glad that my family of four will be food secure as well as financially stable. I will use the millet I harvested last year as seeds for this season.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has made a significant difference in my life. It has provided me with much-needed support, allowing me to rise above the difficult circumstances I had previously faced. With their help, I was able to acquire valuable assets and ensure a consistent food supply for my family. This assistance has been a ray of hope, pointing us in the direction of greater financial stability and a brighter future. I am extremely grateful for GiveDirectly's assistance, which has made a significant difference for my family and me.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My family of four depends on casual jobs such as weeding to earn $2 daily. However, these jobs are scarce, and I can sometimes stay for up to 4 days without any source of income, so my family has no food to eat. I am elated that GiveDirectly came through for us, as I used $115 to purchase food for the household, $70 on bedding, $18 on furniture, and $30 on timber to build my house. In addition, I also spent $80 on purchasing goats that will act as a future investment for my family. I used the rest of the transfers to purchase chicken. As I look around at the changes these transfers has brought to our lives, I cannot help but feel a deep sense of gratitude. GiveDirectly has not only given us money; they have given us hope and the chance for a better life.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($317 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My goal is to enhance my living standards, particularly after successfully building a decent house for myself. As part of this plan, I aim to purchase a comfortable mattress, seats, and a bed. The funds received from GiveDirectly's third transfer will play a crucial role in fulfilling this aspiration. I am optimistic that, with perseverance and prudent financial management, I can turn this vision into a concrete reality. Looking back, I am grateful for all the achievements I have made so far, and I am excited for the positive changes that lie ahead.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
What impressed me the most was the unconditional nature of the cash assistance. Right from the program's inception, we were treated with utmost respect and provided excellent service. The transparency throughout the process was evident, and there were no instances of fraudulent activities. I am exceedingly content with the organization's services, and I am delighted to say that we encountered no unforeseen issues. The overall experience has been incredibly positive, leaving me with a strong sense of satisfaction and gratitude.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My utmost priority was to provide my family with a decent home, as our previous one was small and had a grass-thatched roof. However, financial constraints had made it impossible for me to construct a suitable dwelling. As a single mother of three children, I rely on available casual work in the village to make ends meet. After receiving the funds, I immediately spent $255 towards building a new house. With the remaining amount, I purchased essential food supplies. I am incredibly grateful and relieved that I could realize this dream in such a short period of time. Now, my children have a safe and comfortable place to sleep, which fills me with immense happiness and fulfillment. This positive change in our living conditions has brought a sense of security and contentment to our lives.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($145 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I vividly remember being occupied with farm work when I received my transfer. Unexpectedly, my phone rang, and upon checking, I discovered that GiveDirectly had sent me money. The overwhelming sense of joy I experienced was beyond words. I was fully aware that this transfer had the power to revolutionize my living conditions, which had previously been unattainable due to financial constraints. Excitedly, we immediately began mapping out how we would allocate the cash transfer.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My life has undergone a remarkable transformation, primarily ignited by the restoration of my hope to build a respectable house. Thanks to the transfer, I have been able to acquire essential building materials, setting the stage for constructing a house in the near future, especially when I receive my second transfer. Additionally, the newfound financial resources have allowed me to procure an ample supply of food, addressing the previous challenge of limited provisions caused by financial constraints. I am overjoyed and immensely satisfied with the achievements I have made thus far.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Receiving my transfer presented a remarkable opportunity to uplift my living standards, particularly by constructing a more decent house. The desire for a sturdier shelter stemmed from the fact that our current one was made of grass-thatched materials. Unfortunately, financial constraints had made it challenging to fulfill this dream, as I am a single mother of three relying solely on farming for income, which barely covered our basic needs. With the arrival of the transfer, I immediately allocated $56 to purchase iron sheets for the house. Additionally, I invested $62 in a sack of maize, ensuring a stable food supply. The remaining funds were dedicated to supporting my farming endeavors. I am immensely grateful for this milestone, as it has significantly improved my life in astonishing ways.
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
For the first transfers, I intend to purchase food since that's the most pressing need in my household. I plan to purchase a bag of maize which will cost me about 50 dollars and half a bag of beans which will cost me approximately 30 dollars. I also plan to purchase an iron sheet with the remaining amount from the first transfers. For the second and third transfers, I intend to purchase more iron sheets and other building materials which I will use to construct a house for my grandchild and me. This will enable us to live in a more dissent and safe house. I plan to use about 400 dollars to complete the whole work. I also intend to purchase four goats for 30 dollars each. This will serve as a future investment for me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The aspect I'm grateful for every morning I wake up is having good health and the ability to go out and hustle for the day's meal. Even though we are forced to sleep without food sometimes I'm happy that I have good health.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The greatest challenge that I face at the moment is the lack of food. This has come about because of the prolonged drought that has hit our county for the past three months. In addition to this, I also live in a poor structure and since the rains have started, I get rained on and I fear that I might contract some airborne diseases such as a common cold.