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.
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3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($349 USD)
access_time 4 months ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Having a dairy cow on my homestead is a blessing. After buying an improved dairy breed, which has great potential for milk production if managed well, I plan to rent land, plant grass during the rainy season, and preserve the harvest as hay for use during the dry period, despite my area being dry. I am also planning to learn more about livestock management practices, such as proper housing, healthcare, breeding, and nutrition, to give my cow the best care possible. I hope that the herd will grow in numbers over time, and with maximized milk production, I will be able to sell the surplus locally and earn income to help manage the herd and address my other needs.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does well by providing unconditional cash transfers, allowing recipients to address their own challenges without external planning or interference. The organization ensures fairness by distributing funds to everyone in the village without discrimination. Additionally, the enrollment process was conducted entirely by GiveDirectly staff, eliminating the risk of corruption. This was achieved by visiting homes individually, offering recipients the opportunity to express themselves freely and without fear. In my opinion, GiveDirectly should continue supporting more people in poor regions using this effective approach.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have been buying milk for the longest time because I don't own a cow. Buying milk comes with challenges, especially since it is expensive, mainly because it's processed. Locally produced milk is hard to find in our area due to the limited number of cows. As a result, we often had black tea instead of milk tea. My dream has always been to own a dairy cow. Upon receiving my final transfer, I bought a young Heifer for $300. It's an improved dairy breed, and I'm hoping that by next year, I'll have enough milk not only for our consumption but also to sell the surplus and earn some income. At the time I received the transfers, food was a problem for us. I was relying on casual jobs, which were not consistent since the main casual jobs are in crop farming, but our area is dry and rocky, so only a few people engage in it. Sometimes, I rely on my fruit trees, but they are seasonal as well. I spent $150 on food, which sustained us for a while. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for your support; you have brought light into our home.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
45000 KES ($295 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My objective is to invest in a water tank and fence my land. Fencing the land will allow me to cultivate my crops without interference, while having a water tank will provide a reliable storage solution for clean water. I intend to achieve this goal by utilizing the funds generated from farming activities and supplementing them with the little savings I accumulate over time. This strategic approach aims to address both water storage needs and agricultural productivity on my land.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The organization has provided us with financial empowerment, demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity by enrolling everyone without discrimination. Notably, the cash assistance was offered unconditionally. The organization's performance thus far has been excellent, and I did not identify any areas that required improvement. Their approach of inclusivity and unconditional support has contributed positively to our experience.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My husband and I depend on both farming and our small kiosk for our livelihood, supporting our family of three children. With the second transfer we received, my husband and I decided to spend it towards renovating our house, investing $310 to address the challenges posed by its mud floor, making it easier to clean and enhancing our living conditions. Additionally, we used $85 to increase the stock in our shop, aiming to boost our income. We also set aside $45 to purchase a sack of maize. This renovation had long been delayed due to our responsibilities, especially with regards to school fees. The positive impact of these changes in our living environment brings us great joy and gratitude.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($139 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at home, relaxed with not much to do since I didn't have a job or any business to occupy my day when I got my first ever transfers from Give Directly. The timing was perfect, as I was in dire need of funds for food and other necessities that had started to weigh on me. I immediately informed my children about the good news, and that was simply one of our favourite day that month.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Ever since receiving my transfers, my life has undergone a significant transformation. My family is now well-nourished, my business is back on track, and my farm vegetables are thriving. This positive change has instilled in me a newfound confidence and optimism. I'm hopeful and determined to keep making wise financial choices for the benefit of my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I got my first $200 transfer from Give Directly, my immediate priority was my family's sustenance. Considering it had been three days since our last proper meal, I allocated $80 to secure enough food for us so that we can be in a good position to do other things after we are well fed. Subsequently, I invested $70 in restocking for my small grocery venture in hopes of revitalizing it since I ran out of stock, had no money to run it and I had to close it down. Lastly, I spent $50 on pesticides for the vegetables I had recently sown and they are flourishing right now.
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
The plan I have for the transfers is to purchase food with the first transfer. I have put this as a priority because we are faced with a shortage of food at the moment which is very challenging. I have planned to purchase a bag of maize which will cost me about $60 of the transfers. Additionally, I will purchase some beans and other household products such as cooking oil and salt which might cost about $50. For the remaining amount, I intend to purchase barbed wires for fencing. For the second and third transfers, I intend to purchase chain links together with barbed wires. This I shall use to fence my farm. This is important for me because whenever we get rains I'm unable to grow crops because of disturbance from livestock. With the fence, I will have a chance to start a vegetable farm and also do farming whenever it rains without fear of it getting destroyed by livestock. I'm grateful to Give Directly for offering me the transfers because it will enable me to do things that I wouldn't have done without their assistance.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiness in the past 6 months came from the rains we received. Since it has been 3 years of drought and nothing from our farms, it made me very happy. Receiving the rains brought me joy and hope for the future. I'm still grateful to God for the rains and for remembering us in our time of need.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
There are many challenges that I face currently. However, the challenge I consider to be the most pressing of them all is the lack of food. Since we have experienced prolonged droughts which took us about 3 years ago, we've not been able to grow nor harvest any produce. This, together with the high cost of food products in the market has created a shortage. We sometimes have to skip meals since we lack food or money to purchase the food. This is increasingly difficult for my three children who are still young.
