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?
I woke up at 5 AM to switch on my phone, which I always turn off before going to bed, and the first thing I saw was a message saying I had received money from GiveDirectly! I couldn’t believe it—I was so excited. It was still early, and my children were getting ready for school, so I told them right away, and they were just as happy as I was. I’ve always wanted to own sheep, and the first thing that came to my mind was that now I could finally buy one!
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Before I received the cash from GiveDirectly, life was really hard. We used to depend entirely on casual labor, which was difficult to find. As a single mother of three children, there were many days when I couldn't get any work, and we would go to bed hungry. It was a constant struggle just to survive, not knowing where the next meal would come from or how I’d provide for my kids. Now, everything has changed. With the cash, I’ve been able to buy enough food to keep us going, and that gave me the chance to focus on my own farm. I no longer have to rely on casual labor, and I’m using the time to grow crops for our future. This way, I can not only provide food for my children but also plant a variety of crops to secure food for the long term. It’s a big relief knowing we won’t sleep hungry, and I can plan ahead without the constant worry hanging over me.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I received the cash, the first thing I did was buy two bags of maize for $54. I depend on casual labor and selling charcoal to make ends meet, and having food stocked up gave me peace of mind. Feeding my family is always a struggle, so I knew this would keep us going for a while without worrying about our next meal. I also bought a goat and a sheep for $110, something I’ve always dreamed of owning. In the future, they can multiply or be sold during hard times. Having them makes me feel more secure because they’re assets I can rely on when I need quick income. Since I wasn’t feeling well, I spent $5 on medication to treat myself. I couldn’t afford to let the illness slow me down with so much to do. Lastly, I used $8 on my children’s school fees. Education is very important to me, and I want my kids to have better opportunities, even if it’s only a small contribution for now. Every bit helps keep them in school.
Enrolled
access_time 2 months ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
I am living in fear and uncertainty, Lake Baringo is swelling and encroaching each and every day. This is compelling me to think of moving to another safe place and convert this place to a farm. The transfers from GiveDirectly gives me hope of relocating to a peaceful home. I will use $ 540 of the transfers to buy half an acre piece of land and build a single-roomed house. This will make us live a happy and peaceful life. I was raised in a pastoral community where livestock is our main source of family income. It is unfortunate that I have none. I will use $ 190 of the transfers to buy five goats and venture into livestock farming. This will help us stabilize our source of family income. I will also use the remaining transfers to buy food for my family of four and some other basic needs such as clothes.
What is the happiest part of your day?
It is frustrating to go to bed without food, it is even worse and stressful when you are a parent. This is all I have been going through. I always think of my three children each and every day when I am almost giving up. This motivates me to work harder and find casual jobs to support my family.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Charcoal burning is our main source of family income, this comes with numerous challenges on my health and ability to put food on the table. As a result of this, I can feel the pain of being the sole breadwinner of the family. Our source of family income is not sustainable to support my family of four. We often find ourselves with no food, and therefore we end up borrowing food from my mother or even our neighbors. It is at times embarrassing but I do not have otherwise. The waters of Lake Baringo are just a stone throw away. The lake is swelling and encroaching each and every day. It is sending fear to me and my family, we are hoping that it will not displace us some day.
