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?
My plan for the coming years is to focus entirely on farming. I believe that with hard work and dedication, I can generate enough income to pay for my children's school fees. It is essential for me to ensure they continue their education so they can build better futures for themselves. I want them to grow up with the skills and knowledge that will allow them to help our family in the future. Additionally, by investing in our farm, I hope to create a sustainable source of income that will support us all. This way, we can overcome the challenges we faced and thrive together as a family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly did a great job by talking nicely to us and being very humble. They educated us well about how to use the money effectively, which made us feel supported. The officers were always happy when they visited us, and that made a positive impact on our community. They also followed up to ensure we spent the money in the right way, which I appreciate. I did not see anything bad during this process; everything went smoothly. However, it would be helpful if they could reach out to more people in need in our area.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The floods took everything from me, leaving my family in despair. Five goats, twenty chickens, and even my clothes were swept away, and one of our houses collapsed, dragging my life down to zero. I felt hopeless as my generator was also destroyed, and with five children to care for, the burden became unbearable. However, when I received the unconditional cash transfer, it felt like a new beginning. I used $350 to pay a down payment on a plot of land far away from the floods, where my family could finally settle and rebuild our lives.Furthermore, I allocated $50 for my children's school fees because education is crucial for their future. I want to ensure they have the opportunity to learn and grow despite our struggles. The remaining money went towards buying small essentials like food and medicine for our remaining livestock. My wife and I work casual jobs and farm to make ends meet, but it has been challenging since the floods caused sickness and forced us to relocate.This support from GiveDirectly has been a blessing in our lives. We were overwhelmed by the difficulties we faced, but now we have hope for a better future. I feel grateful for the chance to start anew and provide for my family again. With this help, we can focus on rebuilding our lives and ensuring our children have a brighter future.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($155 USD)
access_time 3 months ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
As my wife was preparing supper, I sat in our living room waiting patiently when my phone buzzed. I checked it, and, to my surprise, I saw that I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I rushed outside to share the exciting news with my mom, wife, and children. We all felt happy as a family. Later, we sat down to enjoy our dinner, with smiles on our faces, knowing this was a turning point for us.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I had planned to use the proceeds from selling my maize to buy a plot, but unfortunately, I lost all of it due to the floods. However, with the GiveDirectly transfer, I am now hopeful. I plan to use my next transfer to purchase a plot and finally move to a safer area. Right now, the water is dangerously close to my house, just a few meters away, and every time it rains, I worry I’ll be affected again. But with this opportunity, I can make a lasting change and protect my family from the constant threat of flooding.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Having reared sheep for the past five years, I’ve enjoyed their benefits. The sheep have been a great help in covering my children’s school fees, providing capital for crop farming, and even assisting with food expenses. Out of the 22 sheep I owned, I lost 6 in the floods, leaving me with 16. Thankfully, I didn’t lose everything. When I received my first transfer, I decided to invest in more sheep, purchasing 3 for $60 each. Alongside livestock production, I also engage in crop farming, although this year, I lost my maize on an acre of land due to the floods. I had hoped to sell the maize and use the proceeds to buy a plot in a safer area since my current home is prone to flooding. I spent the remaining amount on food items to ensure we had enough to sustain us for a while. Thank you, GiveDirectly.
Enrolled
access_time 5 months ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
To establish a sustainable income for my family, I intend to invest KES 20,000 in purchasing 4 additional goats, supplementing the 10 I currently own. The local environment is conducive for goat farming, which will serve as an alternative income source. Additionally, I plan to allocate another KES 20,000 towards leasing farmland and acquiring necessary inputs to grow crops, ensuring both food security and additional income from sales.
To safeguard my family from potential flood impacts in the future, I am earmarking KES 45,000 to acquire a piece of land where we can relocate if necessary.
Furthermore, to support the continuous education of my two secondary school children, I will allocate KES 25,000 for school fees.
What is the happiest part of your day?
After struggling to afford fuel for irrigating my maize farm, I found relief when the rains started. This spared me the expense of purchasing fuel. The rainwater, which is beneficial for crops, has resulted in flourishing growth in our fields, promising a bumper harvest.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Following the devastating effects of floods in my village, where my house was also affected. I am eager to acquire a piece of land in a flood-safe area, but my efforts have been hampered by financial constraints.
As a farmer reliant on leased land, I lack the funds to purchase my own property. This year, I could only lease 0.5 acres, which is insufficient to support my family.
I am also struggling to afford school fees for my two secondary school children. Occasionally, they are unable to attend school due to our financial difficulties.
