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?
After receiving an alert, I got a message, at around 3:20 pm. I was thrilled to confirm the arrival of the money I had been eagerly anticipating. At home with my husband when the message came, we shared the joy, both excited that our plans were falling into place. With the kids at school, I visited the shopping center the next day to collect the money. The anticipation and subsequent joy of finally having the funds in hand added a sense of fulfillment to our family, marking a memorable and positive moment that aligned with our aspirations.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The money I received from GiveDirectly made a significant impact by allowing me to purchase sufficient food. Witnessing my children having enough to eat and experiencing peace of mind marks the most significant difference in my daily life. Now, I can divert my efforts towards other income-generating projects, aiming to cover not just school fees but also other household needs. This newfound stability and ability to focus on broader goals have brought a positive shift in my family's well-being, and I am genuinely grateful for the support from GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
With a family of 10, providing food was challenging due to the unreliable income from casual work and subsistence farming. Upon receiving the first transfer from GiveDirectly, I strategically spent $115 on essential food items like maize, rice, beans, milk, cooking oil, and sugar, ensuring a sustained supply for my family. Recognizing the need for personal space, I invested $13 in two plastic chairs, supplementing the existing ones. Addressing the clothing needs of my four young kids, I joyfully spent $40 on new outfits, bringing them happiness and a sense of dignity. Additionally, I allocated $5 to my husband for personal use and provided $20 to my college-going daughter for upkeep. The remaining funds were used for transportation to and from the shopping center. This financial support has significantly improved our daily lives, ensuring basic necessities and fostering a sense of well-being and dignity within our household.
Enrolled
access_time 2 months ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
We are happy to receive the transfers since this will provide us with the financial boost we've always needed. We have planned to use the first transfers to purchase food such as beans, maize, and other household requirements such as cooking fat. In addition to this, we plan to pay school fees for our daughter Marvel who is pursuing nursing. Her fee arrears add up to $400. We also plan to purchase a few livestock since we have sold most of them to pay school fees. We plan to buy 3 sheep and two cows which will cost us about $400. With the remaining amount I intend to purchase chain link for my mango farm which I intend to plant using the transfers. Receiving these transfers will surely improve our lives.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiness over the past 6 months came from the rains we received. This created a lot of opportunities for us to get casual work in the irrigation farms. This enabled us to put food on the table which delighted us so much.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The greatest challenge that we are facing is the lack of food. This year we planted 2 hectares of maize which failed due to lack of rain and water for irrigation. Since we did not have money for cultivation we borrowed a lone from the Sacco which we owe till today. This has made life very difficult because, in addition to lacking food, we owe a lot of money. We feel life is becoming very difficult for us.
