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?
With my dream of owning livestock, my plan for this coming year and beyond is to save a portion of my transfers that I receive from GiveDirectly so that once I accumulate enough funds, I may use them to buy more goats and chicken, hoping that they will multiply and grow in both number and value, providing me with a reliable source of income support in the future. In the meantime, given the ongoing drought and hunger we are facing, I plan to continue using another portion of my transfers to continue buying food and water. This is very crucial for us to avoid going hungry until this drought passes. I am determined to secure a better future for my family, and I truly appreciate the support that makes this possible.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have always dreamt of owning livestock, especially goats, as they could be a valuable asset to rely on in the future. To start making that dream a reality, I used $38 of my recent transfers to buy a goat and a chicken. I truly hope they will multiply and grow in both number and value and make my dream a reality. Also, we are currently facing severe drought and hunger, making it a struggle to find water, as it requires a long journey to fetch it. My spouse and I are both elderly and unable to travel far, so I spent the remaining $64 to buy food and water to ensure we do not go hungry. I am incredibly grateful for the support from GiveDirectly because it has made a great difference in our lives especially during these challenging times.
18th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($27 USD)
access_time 4 months ago
attach_money
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My family, consisting of two other members, depends heavily on farming. Recent adverse weather conditions have compelled us to purchase food from the store. Looking ahead, my goal is to allocate a significant portion of my transfers towards ensuring an ample food supply for my family. Additionally, I intend to acquire a goat as a contingency measure for future emergencies where quick cash may be necessary. I am grateful for the financial assistance from these transfers, which has significantly improved the quality of life for me and my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I live with my granddaughter and husband, both of whom cannot work due to their conditions. My granddaughter is abled differently and unable to do any strenuous activity, while my mental condition limits my ability to support myself. My husband and I equally contributed and spent $35 to plow our two-acre land, hoping for a good maize harvest. Unfortunately, the rains stopped, making our efforts futile. We spent $50 from the transfers to purchase food, ensuring we never missed a meal despite the failed harvest. Additionally, I spent $17 to buy water and firewood for home use. I am very grateful for the financial support, which has made our life easier and more bearable compared to before we received the financial aid. We no longer miss meals as we used to before receiving the transfers, which is a significant improvement.
14th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($25 USD)
access_time 8 months ago
attach_money
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My primary objective for this year and beyond is to continue prioritizing my well-being. This entails regular visits to the hospital and consistent procurement of medication to stabilize my condition. Thus far, I am immensely grateful for the financial assistance received through these transfers, which have significantly eased the burden of managing my health and allowed me to maintain a fulfilling life alongside my loved ones.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Over the past three months, I've allocated all my transfers towards procuring medicinal drugs to manage my recurring mental health condition. Despite the hefty cost of these medications, I find solace in knowing that the funds from these transfers make them accessible. With my husband advancing in age and my granddaughter unable to contribute to medical expenses due to lack of employment, the financial support provided by these transfers has been invaluable in ensuring I receive the treatment I need to live harmoniously with my family.
10th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 12 months ago
attach_money
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I intend to allocate the funds from my upcoming transfer to purchase the prescribed medication recommended by my doctor. My ultimate goal is to regain my mental well-being, allowing me to actively contribute to supporting my family through income-generating activities. Despite the challenges I face, I am genuinely grateful for the financial transfers that have played a crucial role in managing my illness and keeping it under control. I eagerly anticipate the day when I can return to a state of normalcy and provide assistance to my loved ones.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Being an elderly woman with a mental condition, the monthly transfers have proven invaluable in managing my condition. I have been able to purchase the necessary, albeit expensive, medication that helps alleviate the symptoms. In total, I spent $68 on acquiring these medications from the pharmacy. While my health has shown slight improvement, a recent check-up at the hospital prompted the doctor to recommend a change in medication. In addition to acquiring the medication, I invested $25 in purchasing a new phone. This was necessary as my previous phone had become unusable. Having a functional phone enables me to stay connected with my relatives, particularly my son who resides in town. With the remaining $9, I bought fresh vegetables and allocated some to sift the maize, providing me with maize flour for meals. The support I have received through these transfers has brought me immense happiness and gratitude. It has not only helped me maintain my mental health but also facilitated improved communication and access to essential resources. I am truly appreciative of the assistance I have received.
6th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($25 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
attach_money
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My goal for the upcoming year and beyond is to make significant investments in livestock farming. As soon as I have an ample food supply from the upcoming harvest, I will allocate my monthly funds towards purchasing livestock. Once they reproduce, I can sell them and utilize the resulting income to meet my essential needs such as medication and clothing. This plan will enable me to become more self-sufficient financially, reducing my reliance on other relatives for future financial assistance by establishing a sustainable income source.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My husband and I are elderly and currently unemployed, leaving us without any source of income. To meet our daily needs, we rely on our grandchild, who takes up occasional casual jobs. Recently, after enduring a six-year drought, we finally experienced rainfall. This prompted me to take a chance and return to farming, specifically by planting maize and beans. I am hopeful that in the coming months, we will have an abundant food supply. The surplus will enable us to purchase medication and manage my mental illness. Given the high cost of living, I utilized all the funds received in June to provide food for our family of three, which includes my husband and granddaughter. Unlike previous times when we often went to bed hungry due to a lack of money, we now have improved circumstances as we never experience hunger anymore.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
attach_money
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My main goal for this year is to seek out additional medical care from a facility with the resources to help me improve my long-term condition. This will enable me to work and take care of my financial needs while also helping me regain my stability. My main accomplishment for this year and beyond will be receiving specialized treatment.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I am extremely appreciative of the organization's monthly unconditional transfers. Compared to the previous four years, when I was seriously ill, my health has improved. Because of the poverty in my home, I would not have been able to buy the medications that regulate my mental health. I implore the organization to continue providing aid, especially to residents of underprivileged communities, so that their suffering can be lessened.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I've been dealing with a mental illness for more than four years. I occasionally experience memory loss and am unable to recall anything. I also become extremely hostile toward my own family members and even harbor violent intentions toward them. My husband and I are both very old and unable to care for ourselves. I rely on my son, who works odd jobs selling charcoal and constructing houses. He makes very little money from these jobs, and occasionally he is unable to support me or pay for the medication that controls my condition. When I got my second transfer, I spent the entire $34 on my prescription medications. Even though the drugs are very expensive, I absolutely require them to help with my mental condition. I'm happy the organization exists because without it, my financial situation would have prevented me from managing my illness.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($25 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
At around 5 p.m., I was relaxing at home when my phone vibrated with a message alert. Due to my incapacity to read, I asked my helper to check the message's contents, and she confirmed that I had received money from Give Directly. I was so excited that I asked her to collect the cash right away.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Am glad that the cash transfer covered my treatment procedure during a time when I had hit a rock bottom in raising the required money. My health has since improved courtesy of the cash sent by Give Directly. I no longer experience intense pains as I used to before and this is the greatest difference I see now.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
For a long time, I have been suffering from a heart problem that causes sharp pains, giving me sleepless nights. By the time I received the transfers, I had been scheduled for a doctor's visit but there was no money to fund the treatment procedure. So the cash came as a miracle to me and my granddaughter who had been struggling to pull the required funds. I decided it was best to utilize the entire transfer amount on my medication. I am happy that the condition improved and I can now sleep more peacefully.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have experience in livestock keeping, a venture that I have had in my life. Currently, I do not have goats because I sold some to buy food while others died due to a prolonged drought. My priority now once I receive these transfers is to buy 1 goat at 2500 KES every month. In 1 year, I am so confident that I will have at least 10 goats. Since we have a very big portion of land for grazing, I so optimistic that my project will do well and provide me with a profit when I sell them. The profit will continue to enable us in food provision for my family. Thus, this is generally what receiving this money means to me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
What a surprise to me when I saw my son bought me some new clothes! This was something that gave me a feeling of happiness because I never expected it considering that his job earns him very little. This brought a smile to my face since I can now dress well, something that has boosted my self-esteem.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My health! Being old (68 years) with the tendency of lacking the best diet is something that has exposed me to many health issues. I guess that the many stresses might even affect my pressure. Imagine depending on my son whose support is inconsistent due to his low earnings, I am sometimes going to bed hungry. In addition, I have been surviving without medication despite falling sick, a situation that hurts me most.