Follow to be notified of this recipient's updates with GiveDirectly.
You will get email notifications when this recipient moves to the next stage of the process.
Forgot password?
Enter your email address and we'll send you password reset instructions.
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.
Stages:
Enrollment
attach_money
Transfers
check
Completed
Sign Up
to follow someone and stay updated on their journey with GiveDirectly.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My primary goal is to acquire goats so that once the cash assistance from Give Directly ceases, I can rely on selling the animals to generate a stable income. To achieve this, I am committed to saving at least $11 each month through a self-help group. By consistently setting aside these funds, I will accumulate enough money to purchase the goats and build wealth that could improve the financial stability of my household.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I allocated $25 to hire a tractor and plow my 1-acre land in preparation for planting. This investment was crucial for me as I previously lacked the necessary funds to hire the tractor. And, even though my two sons occasionally offer support, they rely on casual jobs that do not provide substantial income to meet the family's needs as well as support other agricultural activities. Therefore, this has made me rely on cash transfers as a major income stream to support these needs. I am pleased that the plowing process was successful, enabling me to utilize the entire land for planting. In addition, I used $7 to purchase maize seeds, ensuring that I had sufficient resources for the planting season. The remaining amount was allocated toward purchasing food.
10th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($28 USD)
access_time 4 months ago
attach_money
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I want to purchase at least four goats this year to raise them, and I'm already setting out $10 each month in a savings group to do so. Although I run a modest business, I don't earn enough money from it to provide for the requirements of the four of us. I am caring for my daughter's two kids and her. Her husband passed away in an accident a few years ago, but I decided to care for the kids because she was unable to support them financially. Goats multiply, making them more profitable, as a result, I may sell some of them in the future to help pay for the grand kids' tuition. Aside from that, I want to finish building the kitchen, which is already under construction, so I can have a pleasant location to cook and prevent smoke from damaging my belongings.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
In the community, seven of us started a savings group where we each contribute $10 monthly and distribute it to another member on a rotating basis. Every member should strive to buy two goats whenever they receive their shares. I saved $30 with the transactions during the previous three months. I don't have a kitchen, either. I could first cook outside, but I stopped since it was uncomfortable owing to the winds. The smoke again damaged my house, including the roof, so I went to cook in the main house. My modest business, which primarily provides meals for our family, generates very little profit. I was unable to pay for the cost of building a kitchen as a result. Thank God for the recurring payment, since I have been taking $10 from it each month to help with the building of a new kitchen and am relieved that it is almost finished. I used $39 of the remaining $49 to buy food for my family and $5 to settle a debt I owed the neighborhood grocer. I owe GiveDirectly for making it bearable for me to provide for the requirements of my family.
6th Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($25 USD)
access_time 8 months ago
attach_money
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
As soon as they realized I had received money from the organization I was definitely excited. I immediately went and we do the funds and I ended up saving KES 1,000 because I was hoping that eventually I would have enough money for me to buy a couple of goats. Afterwards I decided to spend KES 400 in purchasing a hen because I was investing in poultry farming as well for commercial gain. I further went ahead and spent KES 600 into my business where I sold tobacco the comfort of my home. I proceeded to use KES 800 by acquiring four packets of maize flour, half a kilogram of beans and cooking oil because I barely had any food left in the house. Lastly I used the remaining balance of KES 200 by purchasing stationery for my two kids.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($26 USD)
access_time 12 months ago
attach_money
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my view, GiveDirectly as an NGO does well in giving unconditional cash to the neediest communities. For instance, all the beneficiaries from my community have registered a positive change in their living standards courtesy of the transfers. Personally, when I received the transfer, I prioritized building a kitchen as well as planning to buy goats. This will increase my livestock asset thus contributing to my positive progress. In my opinion, all GD does is good and I can not see any fault in it.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used KES 600 from my recent transfer to continue working on my kitchen construction. Initially, I was just cooking outside of the house, where there is usually a lot of wind, or inside the house, where the smoke affects us. I also invested KES 800 to improve the performance of my livestock selling business. I am delighted to see that things are looking up. Finally, I spent KES 1,000 on increasing my savings, which will enable me to purchase additional food for the rest of my family before I get the next transfer.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($10 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was asleep when the funds were sent. I heard the message alert but I chose to ignore it as I thought that it was the normal promotional messages from safaricom. I was also unwell at the time. The next day, when I woke up, I prepared myself and went out ready to walk to the hospital. A neighbor of mine approached me and asked if I had received funds from give directly, I told her I didn't. But to be sure, I asked my daughter to check. She confirmed that indeed I had received too. I felt overwhelmingly blessed. I had planned to trek from my home area to the infirmary, which is about a 3-hour walk. So, I called for a motorcyclist who drove me to the hospital and I was treated then headed back home.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I have four children, two male, and two females. The male ones have already taken in wives and lived in their own houses. As for the females, they were once married, unfortunately, their husbands died. One was due to a hit and run accident and the other was due to a gunshot by armed robbers. So, they moved back with me. Just recently one of my daughters moved out so she could start working to take her 4 children to school. The other one still lives with me together with 2 of her children. We often would share expenses but it has been challenging for us to meet most of our needs as my tobacco selling business does not earn me much as it did before. Ever since I started receiving funds from give directly, our financial situation has changed for the best. First and foremost, through the funds, I was able to get some medications for my ailment. Using my next transfers, I plan on finishing up the construction of my kitchen, I still need six more iron sheets to complete it. After which, I will buy 5 goats, then, later on, build my house and leave the one I currently live in for my daughters.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
For days, I had been sick and I did not have the funds to go to the hospital. I opted to walk to the hospital for some treatment. I thereby woke up very early, got ready, and when I went out a neighbor asked me if I had received some funds. I told my daughter to check and she confirmed it was so. I instead went on a motorcycle and used part of the transfer to pay for my transport and medicines. Whatever amounts remained, I invested in my tobacco selling business that has been the source of my livelihood ever since the passing away of my husband.
Enrolled
access_time 1 year ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Currently I do not have a source of income neither do I have a proper house to live in. I have been hosted by my daughter for now around one year, just having a room within her house. But my primary need is to create a reliable source of income for myself so that I would be able to fund my projects without begging. It doesn't feel good to live at people's at all time, but when I get this money I would want to first save and buy goats to start livestock farming so that I can have a way of saving my transfers for a rainy day
What is the happiest part of your day?
I do not have much to be happy about, but I like this day today. I was told not everyone in the village would qualify for the GiveDirey program but I feel really good to have qualified for the first stage of enrollment and now I'm on this stage. I just hope and pray that I go just like that till I succeed. I really want this money to set my life right back on track. Currently I do not even have a business or a personal house.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My life has been so hard in the village because I do not have a reliable source of income. I have been depending mostly on my daughter when returned home when she was windowed. She provides for me but I feel bad living my life this way. If I could get a number of livestock to start raring I will be able to start getting my money and build a house for myself. This is because I do not want to to live off people.