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?
It was in the morning when I woke up and checked my phone. I found a message informing me that GiveDirectly had sent me $200. I was so happy and immediately shared the good news with my whole family. My first thought was to use the money to find somewhere safe away from the floods. However, thanks to GiveDirectly's unconditional cash, I later decided to focus on other pressing needs instead.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life from this support is the way I am now able to secure my family's future. By buying two sheep, I have invested in something that will help us for years to come, as they will reproduce and provide more resources. This long-term investment means that even after the support ends, I will still have something to rely on.
Additionally, adding an extra room to our house has made a huge difference in our daily lives. My family of four no longer has to live in one small room, which has given us more privacy and dignity. This simple change has made our home more comfortable and has improved our overall well-being.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received $200 from GiveDirectly, I immediately gave thanks. My initial plan was to buy a plot of land away from the devastating floods, but I realized the money wouldn't be enough to purchase land. However, I had already identified a place I would go for using the next transfer. Thanks to the flexibility of the unconditional cash transfer, I changed my plan. I decided to use $100 to buy two sheep, which is a long-term investment that will help me meet my needs even after this support ends, as the sheep will reproduce and grow into a large flock.
After that, I turned my attention to housing. I have three children, and we all live in one room. I wanted to give my family privacy and dignity, so I used $94 to buy construction materials to add an extra room. This addition has been enough for my household, providing comfort and improving our quality of life.
Enrolled
access_time 3 months ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Receiving GiveDirectly cash transfers is a significant breakthrough for me and my family. My dream is to purchase land on higher, safer ground to escape the threat of floods and to rebuild our livestock, which we tragically lost, one by one, to the waters. My plan is to use the first cash transfer to buy livestock for my family, ensuring we have a sustainable source of support during challenging times. I also intend to allocate KES 45,000 towards purchasing a piece of land on safe ground and use the remaining funds to construct a one-room shelter for my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
This year has been remarkable for me as a farmer, blessed with ample rainfall that nourished our crops. I was overjoyed when I harvested 80 sacks of maize from my small piece of land, which allowed me to purchase essential items for my family and provide for them. This harvest truly warmed my heart.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The greatest challenge I am facing is the lack of secure and stable land to call home for my family. We were displaced by the encroaching waters of Lake Baringo, forcing us to relocate for our safety. Now, we are constantly besieged by floods whenever it rains in the upper regions of Kabarnet and Kabartonjo, making life unbearable for my family. There are nights when we are forced to stay awake, battling the floodwaters as they invade our house.
