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?
I love the fact that Give Directly constantly follows up, inquiring if we are facing major challenges related to the transfers. This streamlines the disbursement process and ensures we maximize the benefits of the transfers. I would recommend the organization increment the monthly stipend so that we can cope with the rise in prices of essential commodities such as food.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After using my previous transfer to buy 2 hens, I opted to buy a goat using my latest transfer of KES 3000. Buying the goat adds to the number of livestock that I have. In our culture, the number of livestock you have measures wealth. My goal is to create a lot of wealth through the rearing of livestock. The accumulation of this livestock provides a backup plan for me in time of need. I can sell some and use the money to address the wanting situation.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($10 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
When I confirmed to have received the transfer I was swept by a wave of pure bliss. I recognized the capacity this money had in solving the hunger in our household. Benefitting from the cash aid meant constant food availability and the end of starvation for me.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Earlier this year, I lost all my chickens due to a contagious disease that hit the flock. The transfer reopened another door and enabled me to start rearing poultry again. This is an important step and achievement in my life because I consider chicken farming a reliable source of funds. Additionally, I look forward to expanding the practice into goat keeping in the future.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I mostly depend on making and selling charcoal for a living. Finding clients to purchase the finished product is a great challenge for me. If lucky, I can sell one sack of charcoal worth KES 500 per week. Considering the rising economy, the income is too low to provide daily bread. Therefore, I am prompted to partly rely on my son who works as a construction worker in town. Similarly, his earnings are very unreliable to the extent of lacking money to buy his meals. The morning Give Directly sent the cash I was hungry since I had not eaten anything the previous day. So hunger being the main issue in my household, the priority is to purchase food every time I acquire cash. This is what I did when I received the transfer; I bought maize flour worth KES 500. Also, I believe in chicken keeping as a form of investment, so I used KES 300 to buy 2 hens for rearing. When they mature and multiply, I will obtain cash from selling them to help sustain my livelihood. I saved the remaining amount, KES 300, through a self-help group in my community. I intend to withdraw a lump sum from the savings towards the end of the year to buy a goat which will add to my income sources as well.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Being a widow with no one to depend on in my household is something that has stressed me a lot. I have desired to engage myself in livestock keeping that will act as my store of wealth so that, whenever the need arises, I will be able to sell some and sustain us. This has not been possible due to the lack of money. To ensure this comes to reality, I plan to buy 1 goat consecutively for 7 months. This will assure me of a good start because they multiply fast, which means I will stand a better chance of meeting my needs. I will also be saving the remaining transfers to construct a better house since the current one is not spacious to accommodate my belongings. Hence, this is generally what receiving this money means to me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the last 6 months, one thing that has stood out to have brought joy in my life is the fact that my daughter-in-law who has been away with her husband in Mombasa, decided to return and stay at home with me. This has relieved me from the stress that I have gone through when I am alone. The considerable talk and laughter we have every day give me hope for a better life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
As a widow and the sole breadwinner to my family of 4, I have faced many challenges including engaging myself in the strenuous work of charcoal burning despite being restrained by the doctor due to my chest problems. This has left me in deteriorating health because I usually lack money to seek better medication. Therefore, I consider financial instability as the challenge that I am currently facing.
