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?
My goal is to construct a comfortable and better house for myself, as my current residence is very old. Unfortunately, financial limitations have prevented me from realizing this ambition thus far. To achieve this objective, I intend to save the profits I make from the millet harvests on my farm, with the intention of using the funds to build a home. I am extremely grateful for the wonderful opportunity that the organization has given us to improve our standard of living.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I strongly believe that the assistance provided by GiveDirectly not only had a positive impact on our lives but also on the most vulnerable members of our village. The organization's contribution to our community is unquestionable, as it significantly improved our living standards. I have not witnessed any irregularities in the organization's work, and I am impressed with the exceptional job that they have done in our village.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Currently, my main source of income is agriculture. The prospect of receiving cash assistance from GiveDirectly has brought me immense joy and renewed hope, especially at my advanced age. I have never encountered a program like this before. When I received my transfer, I immediately decided to invest in my farming by using some of the funds to fence my land and prepare it for planting millet, which cost me $300. With the remaining funds, I was able to purchase enough food for myself. I am amazed at how much progress I have made in such a short period, and I am extremely grateful to GiveDirectly for this incredible opportunity to improve my life.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
18010 KES ($145 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
At around 5:00 p.m., I noticed the notification I had received from GiveDirectly and discovered I had already received the first donation. I informed my family, who were overjoyed and gave God praise that the promise we had received had finally come to pass. The following day, we executed our plan and collected the full amount from the nearby shopping center.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The prospect of protecting my plot of land, which has always been overrun by my neighbors' animals, as well as the peace and harmony with my neighbors, have made the biggest differences in my daily life. I had been attempting to fence it off, but I kept putting it off due to a lack of funds, allowing stray livestock to trample my developing trees that has caused disagreement with my neighbors who are also struggling to restrain their animals.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent $130 on barbed wire and three rolls of chain links to build a fence around my plot of land after receiving the initial transfer. I had a lot of issues with my neighbors because they let their livestock enter my land and cut down my trees. Peace will result from building a fence around my entire compound since I will have prevented their wandering livestock from accessing my land. Pius, my assistant, and I leased a vehicle for $51 so that we could get both the poles and the barbed wire. I anticipate using the second transfer I will get the following month to finish the fencing process.
Enrolled
access_time almost 2 years ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Agriculture is the backbone of the country's economy and for one to live we have to eat. If only my farm was fenced, then food provision for my family of 4 would not be a challenge. When I receive the transfers, I intend to purchase a chain link wire to fence my garden which I will then sow millet, sorghum and grass for my cow. From the produce, I will sell some to earn income and store the rest to provide food for my family when drought hits my area. I will be glad to take a rest from fetching firewood as I will have an alternative source of income.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Old age comes with its share of challenges and disease is one of them. For the past 20years, I have suffered back pains that hinders me from fending for my family of 4. However, when I get finances I always attend medication. I am glad that lately, the back pain have not recurred and I have provided fully for the family through fetching firewood.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
As a parent, I hope to always provide for basic needs such as food and education for my family of 4. Unfortunately, age is catching up with me and provision is almost uncertain since I depend seasonally on fetching firewood to earn a living. When I lost my 2 children 24 and 33, I did not have a choice but rather take care of the 3 grandchildren they left behind. The sight of their graves in my garden draws some tears from my eyes which depresses me alot. It pains me that I have to struggle hard to provide food for them now that the farms here are unproductive and I have to solely depend on well wishers.
