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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2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($417 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life has been greatly influenced by receiving unconditional support. Nonetheless, I have a vision that I hope to realize in the coming year and beyond. Even though I do not have any money, I am confident that if all goes well, I will be able to build a decent house for my family and expand the parcel of land. Above all, I am thankful for the support that has significantly improved my standard of living.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly's employees were soft-spoken and dedicated to serving humanity. Such services have never been provided in our village before. From the beginning to the end, we were treated well and with the utmost respect. What I liked best about the program was its unconditional transfer, which allowed us to carry out our plans with ease. I hope that the organization will continue to influence other communities to alleviate poverty in our region.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
In my life, receiving money was a blessing. This is because I knew the help would go a long way toward changing my life. I am a widow relying on subsistence farming for a living with six children to care for. When I received my transfer, I considered purchasing another parcel of land to supplement the one I had. As a result, I spent $350. I had then paid $120 in school fees for my children. I am happy and relieved that we have an extra piece of land that can be used as an asset as well as for farming. This was not an easy task before because I was the sole breadwinner with lots of financial obligations.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($474 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The moment my transfer came in, I was at home enjoying a cup of tea since it was early in the morning. I can vividly recall that I saw a text on my phone which had indicated that I had received money from GiveDirectly. This was the best news that I had received that early. I knew that I will be able to accomplish the goals that I had. I was grateful for the great opportunity that I was given for me to empower and uplift my life.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my life today is that I no longer buy milk daily for our consumption. This is because I was able to buy a dairy cow with the transfer that I had received from GiveDirectly. I am hopeful that the milk production would increase thus attracting more income. I believe that with the proper management I would be able to make many out of it. I am grateful that I was able to realize my goals within a short time.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving my transfer, I saw the need of purchasing a dairy cow worth KES 35,000 to cut the cost of buying expensive milk daily. I was unable to purchase a cow before due to financial constraints. This is because we fully depend on farming for our daily livelihood. I then paid school fees areas for my two children who are schooling where I used KES10,000. Lastly, I used the remaining amount of the transfer on buying clothes and foodstuffs, I am so grateful for the support that lifted our living standards amazingly.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a widow and I depend on peasant farming. I take care of my unmarried daughter who has 4 kids. Life is so hard for us since they all depend on me to fend for them. We live a life of destitution with no hope for the next day. I have a very poor shelter, a grass thatched house, that is old and dilapidated. It seeps water that makes it uncomfortable to stay during the rainy season because it becomes too cold. My grandchildren are the most affected, one of them developed a cold last December as a result of the situation. I had given up on ever building a new house because of inadequate finances. This money means the world to me and my family, some things only exist in dreams but this one is valid. At no point did I ever imagine that I will have a new house. Therefore, I purpose to build a 24 iron sheets-roofed house that will cost approximately KES 35000 and used the rest to buy a dairy cow.
What is the happiest part of your day?
When the children of my sons arrived from school and visit me, that is the highest moment of my life. The joy of being around them is unmatched. I think I live for them, it is the very reason why I am life. I love them and every other time I look forward to schools being closed. I even forget my problems whenever I am with them.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Honestly, I am a poor woman. We have a small portion of land barely 0.1 acres, so we cannot do any meaningful farming. I have a borrowed dairy cow that is emaciated because it does not feed well due to inadequate pasture and as a result, produces very little milk, just a cup per day. We are ravaged by unending famine, food insecurity is a major problem. Maize no longer does well because of the maize necrosis disease that affected our crops so we are forced to buy which I cannot afford. I am usually assisted by the relatives safe for the days when I have sweet potatoes in my garden. That is the only crop it does well here.
