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 and beyond, my main focus will be securing my land by installing a permanent chain-link fence, which will deter livestock from trespassing and disrupting my farming activities. I also plan to cultivate grass on this land and store it as a reserve to feed my goats during periods when food is scarce, especially during droughts. These goats hold the key to my hopes of providing my only child with the best possible education. He is set to begin his secondary education in Form One next January.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I deeply appreciate GiveDirectly for the unconditional nature of its cash transfers. This support has reignited my hope for livestock rearing. With the transfer, I managed to purchase three goats, and I am determined to put in all my efforts to ensure they thrive and multiply, not succumbing to hunger as before. I am determined to do this, as they are my primary source of income and my means of supporting my child's education.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
For quite some time, I've been cooking in the open air due to the lack of a kitchen. This situation came with its own set of challenges. During the dry season, dust was a constant issue, potentially contaminating the food. Conversely, during the rainy season, it became difficult to cook as the rain would extinguish the fire, sometimes leaving us without a meal for days.Upon receiving the transfer, I saw an opportunity to address these challenges. I started by purchasing 10 iron sheets for $100 to build a small kitchen. I am eagerly awaiting the third transfer to begin constructing the structure.
Additionally, I invested in my livestock project, buying three goats to restart it. My previous attempt was disrupted by drought, which led to the unfortunate loss of my goats. My primary focus for now is to ensure they have enough food during the dry season. I also settled a food debt of $60 to honor my commitment to the owner. For my son, I allocated $50 to purchase new clothes, replacing his torn and worn-out ones. I used another $50 to clear his school fee arrears, ensuring he can continue his education. The remaining amount was spent on food for my son and myself. This was vital because casual work, our primary source of food, has become scarce due to the frequent lack of rainfall, making farm work nearly impossible.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
18010 KES ($127 USD)
access_time 9 months ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was late in the evening, and as I toiled at a nearby house construction site as a casual laborer, exhaustion weighed heavily on me. The laborious task of mixing mortar in the scorching heat left me sweating profusely. I decided to take a moment to catch my breath and check my phone.
To my surprise and delight, there was a Mpesa SMS indicating that I had received $18.01 from Segovia Technology, confirming the arrival of the GD money we had been informed about earlier. Overwhelmed with joy, I knew this was the much-needed relief I had been longing for. It meant I could take a well-deserved break from the demanding and tiring work I had been doing to make ends meet.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My life is better now that I have enough food, and I do not have to worry and do odd jobs just to put a meal on the table. The stock of food I bought with the money will last me for a while, giving me the chance to search for a better opportunity.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The GD money came just when I needed it the most. I had nothing left in my house. Previously, I was working on a neighbor's farm, but the maize I had planted dried up due to a lack of rain rendering me jobless. To survive, I had to take on any job that came my way.
Two weeks before the transfer, I was forced to do casual labor at a construction site nearby. The working hours were long and exhausting, from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and at the end of the day, all I got was $3. It was tough, but I had no choice; I had to do it to put food on the table.
Then, like a ray of hope, the GD transfer arrived, and I knew I could finally take a break from that tedious job. With the money, I made sure to buy enough food for myself, spending $100 to last me through the month while I searched for another opportunity.
I also decided to invest in my well-being. I bought a brand-new mattress and a bed, costing $80, to replace the worn-out one I had been sleeping on the floor. With a renewed spirit and a good night's sleep, I was ready to face the world and hustle for a brighter future!
Enrolled
access_time 11 months ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Receiving the transfers means so much to me because I have so many things that I have planned to do with the transfers when I get them. For the first transfers, I have a plan to purchase a bed and bedding since the one I'm sleeping on at the moment is in a very bad state. I plan to spend about $70 to accomplish this. In addition to this, I also plan to purchase food. I will buy 1 bag of maize at $60 and with the remaining amount I plan to buy furniture for my house since I don't have a table and chairs to sit on. For the second transfer, I plan to build a kitchen. I will use $120 of the second transfer to do so. This will assist me greatly since I'm forced to cook outside currently and when it rains I have to wait for the rain to subside to be able to cook which brings a lot of inconvenience. I also plan to fence my compound by purchasing a chain link at $150 and 30 posts at $150 each. This will be of great assistance since my compound will be secure from intruders and livestock from my neighbors. For the third transfer, I plan to pay for my son's school fees next year in January. My son Bismarck is doing his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) in November and is to join form one in January 2024. With the transfers, I will be able to buy him school accessories and also pay for his form one school fees. The transfers will assist me so much and I believe this will change my life positively.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiness in the past 6 months has come mainly from the rains that we were blessed with in April. This meant that people in our village would go to the farms to grow crops and therefore create work for us. I was very happy since I knew that I would get casual work on the farms and money to buy food.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The aspect that is making my life harder at the moment is lack of work and hunger. Because of the prolonged droughts in our area which have taken about three years, it has been hard to get menial work on the farms. This has led to a lack of money and a lack of food. I'm forced to sleep hungry about 2 to 3 times a week whenever I don't get work. This makes my life difficult since I don't have the energy to work the following day because of hunger.
