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 was at home, washing utensils, when I heard my phone buzz with a message. I checked it, and to my surprise, I had received $200 from GiveDirectly. I was overjoyed and could not wait to tell my husband when he got home from his casual job. We had been planning to buy goats for a while, so the first thought that crossed my mind was to use the money for that.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Together with my husband, we have always relied on casual jobs, which were unpredictable. Despite maize being our staple food, we have never been able to buy a whole 90 kg bag; we could only afford a kilogram at a time, just enough to get us through the day, always searching for another the next day. Our area is extremely dry, and we don’t have land near a river to grow our own maize; our land is rocky and not suitable for farming. But for the first time, after receiving unconditional cash from GiveDirectly, we were able to buy a whole 90 kg bag of maize, and we still have some left to sustain us for a while. This made a huge difference, allowing us to focus on other food essentials without the constant worry. Thank you, GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When we learned that we would receive money from GiveDirectly, we made plans on how to use it in advance. We decided to invest in goats and sheep, as we had two goats but no sheep at the time. This investment was important to us because, as they multiply, they can help us cover school fees in the future. With the transfer, I was able to buy two goats, each costing $50, and a sheep for $50. Additionally, our children had only a few clothes; they did not have any nice clothes, especially for special occasions, so I spent $20 on their clothing. Finally, I used the remaining money to buy food, including a bag of maize, which is our main staple food. This has been a relief because we still have that maize today, and it has made it easier for us to afford other essential food items like sugar. Thank you, GiveDirectly.
Enrolled
access_time 2 months ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Receiving these cash transfers will be a dream come true for us, as we have been struggling financially to make ends meet. I intend to allocate KES 15,000 from the first transfer to purchase goats for my family, while the remaining KES 5,000 will be used to stock food and other essentials. My plan is to invest the second and third transfers into expanding my honey business.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am incredibly grateful that, through my honey business, I was able to build a four-room permanent house for my family. I also take immense joy in the well-being of my family, and this year, I was blessed with the arrival of my newborn, which has brought even more happiness to my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The absence of a steady income to provide for my family's essential needs is my current major challenge. I previously relied on the honey business, but since it is seasonal in my area, life becomes increasingly difficult during the dry season, making survival even more unbearable
