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.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
After I received the money I was definitely so excited because I barely had any money on me and my business as a palm wine tapper was not doing that great because of the severe famine that we have been experiencing. The first thing that I did was settle my brothers tuition debt where I gave him KES 1,500 since he had been kicked out of school had had been staying home for five days consecutively. I was left with about KES 1,500 and so I decided to buy two turkeys so that I could rear and used the remaining KES 500 to buy drinking water since we were experiencing a major shortage.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well in terms of helping the needy in society. With the cash, we can uplift our lives by allowing us to invest in projects that will help us earn money. The cash has also helped me in paying school fees for my children.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
When I lost my job at the beginning of this year, I opted to go back home. When I was back home in the countryside I started thinking about what to engage in. I decided to do manual jobs so that I can survive. My priority was to engage in farming activities. In the past five years, the climatic conditions have been worsening with this year being the worse of all. The only option left was to graze the remaining livestock that was present at home. Upon receiving the transfer I spent the whole KSH 3000 in buying a goat so that I could own my livestock. Once they double up I will engage in the livestock selling business.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was tending my coconut trees when I heard my phone ringing. I checked it out and found out that I had received cash from GiveDirectly. I was happy because I was not financially stable at that time and I had many problems and was very stressed.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The money has made a very big difference in my life and that of my family. My mother is now recovering well and I did pay the hospital bill using this money. My brother Is back in school continuing with his education and this will not have been capable were it not for the money from GiveDirectly. I lack words to express how grateful I am for the money.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I received KSH 3000 from GiveDirectly. I spent KSH 2500 on paying school fees for my younger sibling. At the time I had received the money, my brother was sent home due to school fee balances. So I decided to take a portion of the money and pay him the school fees so that he could go back to school. My mother who does pay for his school fees was sick and was in the hospital at that time. Since I had received the money I decided to chip in and help out with the school fees. I spent the remaining KSH 500 in paying part of my mother’s hospital bill because she had been admitted to the hospital.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Livestock especially goats would make a good source of livelihood for me. My late grandfather owned a very large herd of goats and our life was different by then. We never lacked food as he could easily sell one if the situation got out of hand. My plan, therefore, is to purchase a goat every month from my transfers for the first year. Their reproduction will mean a sustainable income for my family that will not only cater to immediate needs but also finance my children's education in the future.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The joy of setting eyes on my sister for the first time in five years was unexplainable. Her visit together with her family called for a celebration. It was such an emotional moment to reunite with our loved ones.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial instability is a major challenge for me. The drought has affected food production yet I depend on subsistence farming. The little that I get from my casual jobs, goes to food only because I cannot watch my family starve. Last week, my house collapsed after failing to renovate it. If only I had money, we wouldn't be homeless now.
