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?
I have a plan to start poultry farming as a way to diversify my income. This idea seems efficient because chickens grow quickly, which means I can start seeing returns on my investment relatively soon. I'll focus on two types of chickens: the local breed and the commercial chickens. The local chickens are for hatching, while the grade chickens will serve as layers. My strategy involves buying chicks and raising them for about 2 to 3 months until they're ready to be sold. What's great about this plan is that brokers will come directly to my farm to purchase the chickens, making the selling process much smoother. Another advantage of poultry farming is that it doesn't require a huge capital investment to get started. I aim to begin with 15 chicks; 5 local breed and 10 commercial chicks. Starting a poultry farm will enable me to sell grown chickens and eggs, which will help meet our daily needs while moving away from the unsustainable practice of charcoal production
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The support from GiveDirectly has been impactful. The enrollment process was free and fair, ensuring everyone received the cash without discrimination. What made it even more unique was the direct involvement of GiveDirectly officers, free from any political influence. With this approach, every individual had an equal chance to benefit from the support provided by GiveDirectly. GiveDirectly continue the same approach.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My husband and I relied solely on charcoal production to sustain our daily lives and to provide for our ten children, four girls, and six boys. This was far from sustainable, as the scarcity of logs meant we could only manage to produce, at most, five bags of charcoal over 2 weeks. We sold these to brokers at a lower rate, sometimes $5 per bag or, at times, as low as $3.5. Our production was limited to using Prosopis trees, further contributing to the log shortage. Using any other type of tree was against the law, posing a great risk of arrest. This situation made it challenging to cover even basic expenses like school fees. Upon receiving my second transfer from GiveDirectly, I allocated $250 to construct a house for my four daughters. Until then, my husband and I shared our living space with them, which was becoming less practical as they grew older. Meanwhile, my six sons resided in a separate house. The new one-roomed house for my daughters, complete with an iron sheet roof and mud walls, was a step towards ensuring privacy for my husband and me. Additionally, I utilized part of the funds to pay school fees for my two boys in secondary school $100 for one and the other $50. In addition, I spent $30 on second-hand clothes for my seven younger children and allocated the remaining $20 toward purchasing a few essential food items. Thank you GiveDirectly for your support.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($124 USD)
access_time 3 months ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I can vividly recall the day I received my transfer from GiveDirectly. After a long day working in the scorching sun on the farm, I was relaxing at home when the sudden ringing of my phone caught my attention. Curious, I quickly checked it and was overjoyed to see that GiveDirectly had sent me money. A wave of happiness washed over me, and I felt an overwhelming sense of excitement as I realized the new possibilities that lay ahead. In that moment, I started planning how to make the most of these funds, driven by a strong desire to create a better future for my family and myself. I shared the news with my spouse, who was equally thrilled. I am grateful for the support from GiveDirectly, which has significantly improved my life.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My life has undergone significant positive changes since I started receiving my transfers. The most notable difference is the newfound hope for a bumper harvest that could substantially increase our income. Additionally, all my children are now attending school, marking a crucial improvement in their education. I am sincerely grateful for these positive shifts in our lives.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My husband and I depend on farming as our primary source of livelihood, supporting our family of 11 children. When I received my first transfer, I made the decision to invest the money back into our farm to enhance our income. With this, used $73 and then, I purchased two goats, totaling $77, and used $50 for school fees. Investing in farming was a priority for us, as it promised not only increased income but also ensured food security for our large family. Previously, financial constraints hindered us from acquiring necessary farm inputs, making it challenging to improve our agricultural practices. The income from the farm was barely enough to cover our diverse needs. The infusion of funds allowed us to overcome these constraints, enabling us to achieve things that seemed out of reach before. I am elated with the progress made in such a short period and am optimistic about the future. I look forward to a bumper harvest that will not only sustain our family but also contribute to our long-term financial stability.
Enrolled
access_time 5 months ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Education is key to success of any child, ours are not an exemption. It means we must strive to educate them. The transfer has been so timely and will support us to a great extend. To ensure our two children proceeding and joining secondary school continue well with their education, we plan to inject $500. Education is very expensive but we must give it all.
Sustainability in agriculture means having good amount to invest in. We can do maize, beans or even tomatoes. They are very profitable and can sustain our family in the long run, if we manage it well. We plan to use the rest of the transfer in farming and a small portion to add a room for our children. The house has become smaller.
What is the happiest part of your day?
We depend on the few goats we have. It saves us during difficult times such as emergencies. We can easily sale to cover us. They also do well here, which makes me very happy seeing them.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Due to lack of capital to invest in agriculture, we have not utilized our land. Irrigation is labour intensive and we don't have the money for it. This had been the biggest hindrance to our development as a family. The lack of funds means we depend on loans or farm on small portions. Access to loans is a challenge due to the strict requirements. Even if one is successful the risk of losses is high and the interest rates are not fair.
