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.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the coming year, my main objective is to construct a high-quality house that offers safety and ample space for my family, addressing the limitations of our current small living space. To accomplish this aspiration, I intend to use part of my third transfer in sourcing construction materials and more support from my children to settle the labor charges and furnishing of the house. I am optimistic that with dedication and hard work, I can successfully bring this vision to fruition, creating a more comfortable and secure living environment for my family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly has significantly GiveDirectly has had a substantial impact on our lives, providing essential financial support. The transparent enrollment process and the fulfillment of the promised unrestricted cash support were pivotal, especially during a challenging drought season, addressing our immediate needs without the burden of repayment. So far, I haven't observed any operational inefficiencies within the organization, and we are genuinely thankful for the positive impact it has had on our lives. our lives, offering crucial financial assistance. The enrollment process was transparent, and we all received the unrestricted cash as promised. This support arrived at a crucial moment, during a drought season, addressing our immediate needs without the burden of repayment. Up to now, I haven't noticed any operational inefficiencies within the organization, and we are genuinely thankful for the positive impact it has had on our lives.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Due to my elderly age and declining health, I can no longer engage in the heavy work I used to do for income, but have resorted to relying on my children for support. Thanks to GiveDirectly, I could finally realize the dream of fencing my land, incurring $120, ensuring my goats' safety and protecting my crops. I spent $90 on essential foodstuffs, including maize and beans. Saving the remaining amount, it serves as a useful resource for refilling household necessities. The support has profoundly improved my life, allowing me to address financial demands that were previously challenging. I am genuinely grateful for the positive impact from GiveDirectly.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
18010 KES ($124 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt so happy the moment I received money from GiveDirectly. My phone was with one of my sons and when he received the money he came home straight and shared the good news with me. I felt so happy that I was finally going to be able to buy them food first and do other things with the transfers. I was so glad that I was among the beneficiaries of the said transfer
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is in the things I have been able to accomplish. Ranging from the investments made in goat keeping to the food that i have stocked for us makes me just happy. Except for the current ailment that befell me, I would have been extremely happy about the transfers.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used $80 to buy food for my family, another $50 was used to purchase and install delight solar while the remaining amount was used to buy clothes and food for the family. The goats had always sneaked put giving me a lot of problems with taking care of and controlling them. I felt so happy that i had finally been enabled to achieve this long lost dream that would have continued to remain as just a dream.
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Receiving the transfers means so much for me. This is because with the transfers I will purchase food for my household. I plan to use the first transfers to purchase maize, beans and other foods. This will cost me about $180 of the transfers. For the second and third transfers I intend to fence my compound and farm. This will assist me since I will not get disturbed by livestock and I won't have to worry about wild animals getting into my house. I plan to use about $500 of the transfers to accomplish this. With the amount that will remain I intend to save it so that I can buy food in future and other basic needs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the past 6 months I have drawn my happiness from the rains that we received. Our village has not received such heavy rains in the past three years. This delighted me so much because I knew that my livestock will have pasture and water and I won't have to walk for long looking for it.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The aspect that is making my life harder currently is sickness. Over the past few months I was diagnosed with typhoid and I have not recovered well despite the medicine that I received. This has been made worse by the lack of food in my house and since I have to work to eat I have been forced to go hungry without food. I have to struggle to walk for about 3 kilometers to where my daughter is married to get food to cook which is made worse by my current condition.
