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?
I was at home one evening when my son came to me with the wonderful news that GiveDirectly had sent $180. I was so happy and grateful, and the mood in my household immediately changed. I couldn’t stop smiling, knowing that the money had arrived at just the right time.
My son had been selected to join a university in Nairobi, but we didn’t have enough money to send him. This had been weighing heavily on my mind, as I didn’t want his future delayed because of financial problems. Now, with the money from GiveDirectly, I knew he could finally join without further delay. The relief and joy I felt in that moment were overwhelming, and I’m so thankful for the support that made this possible.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life has been seeing my child join university. He is the first in our household to reach this milestone, and there are very few children in my village who have made it this far. Thanks to GiveDirectly, my child, who had been called to join university, didn’t have to miss out on this opportunity.
GiveDirectly has also made sure that my family has enough food, even after the floods that ruined our farm. Before, there were days when we had to skip meals because we didn’t have enough to eat, but now we have food every day. This support has brought great relief and made a huge difference in our lives.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received $180 from GiveDirectly, I had several pressing issues, and the most urgent one was my son's education. He had been accepted to join university, but I didn’t have the money to send him. I used $100 to cover his travel and other expenses, allowing him to finally join. He is now in school, and I am preparing to support him consistently because he values his education and doesn’t want to be left behind while others study.
I also used $30 to buy food for my family. After the floods that destroyed my farm, it became essential to ensure we had enough to eat. The support from GiveDirectly allowed me to provide for them during this difficult time.
Additionally, I was sleeping on an old bed with a torn mattress, which made resting uncomfortable. With the remaining money, I bought a new mattress, and now I can sleep with dignity and comfort. Thanks to GiveDirectly, my family and I are living with more security and peace.
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access_time 4 months ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I have been facing challenges in obtaining enough money to buy food and pay school fees for my children. This money will be a lifesaver as it will allow me to purchase sufficient food supplies for my family. Clearing all school fees arrears will ensure that my children can continue their studies without any interruptions.
Additionally, due to the floods that destroyed some of our household items and utensils, I plan to allocate some of the funds towards purchasing essential household furniture to bring much-needed comfort. I also intend to buy clothing for myself and my children.
The remaining amount will be invested in agricultural farming to create an additional income source for the family, thereby reducing the pressure of relying solely on livestock farming for a livelihood.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I felt immense joy and gratitude when three of my cows gave birth. Seeing my livestock numbers increase fills me with hope, as this is the main source of income for my family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am facing challenges in raising enough money to pay the school fees for my 3 secondary school children. The recent floods have devastated my farming investments, leaving me with nothing to rely on. Additionally, ensuring there is enough food for my family has also become a significant challenge.
