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.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was at a nearby center relaxing when suddenly, people started saying they had received money from GiveDirectly. Fifteen minutes later, I received a message confirming that I had received $200 from GiveDirectly. I was not expecting it, and I felt so thankful for the support. My first thought was to give thanks to God for this answered prayer because I could now comfortably complete my plans. This unexpected help has made a significant difference in my life.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Since I started receiving cash from GiveDirectly, my life has changed for the better. One of the biggest improvements is my ability to farm tomatoes. After a flood swept away my previous farm, I felt lost and uncertain about my future. However, the support from GiveDirectly helped me get back on my feet. With the cash, I was able to buy seeds and tools for tomato farming, which I plan to sell in the market. This has given me hope and a sense of purpose, knowing that I can provide for my family again.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving $200 from GiveDirectly, I was eager to stick to my planned use for the money. I allocated $170 to start tomato farming, which had been my goal. This amount covered land preparation, irrigation costs, and materials for fencing my farm. Thanks to GiveDirectly, I was able to begin tomato farming for the first time in my life because I finally had the capital to do it. After the recent flood destroyed my maize crop, leaving me with no harvest, this opportunity meant a lot to me. Now, my tomato farm is thriving, and I plan to use the proceeds to improve my standard of living, pay my child's school fees, and ensure the sustainability of this farming venture. I used the remaining money to buy food for my family so that while I am farming, they are well-fed and energized.
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What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Living in my one-room house without any furniture has been a challenge; often, I make do by sitting on water jerricans or borrowing from neighbors when visitors come. My income from vegetable farming is barely enough to maintain the farm, leaving nothing to save. However, with anticipated transfers, there is finally a glimmer of hope. I plan on spending $100 on purchasing furniture for my house, providing some much-needed comfort and dignity. Another $150 will be used to fence my 0.5-acre plot where I plan to grow tomatoes, creating an additional income stream. The remainder of the transfers will be invested back into tomato farming, aiming to improve my financial situation and secure a more stable future.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In March 2024, my father sold the 5 goats that I had been taking care of, and he earned a total of $200 from the sale. I was grateful and touched when he gave me $60 of this amount as a token of appreciation. With this $60, I saw an opportunity to start farming vegetables. It was a pivotal moment because it served as my initial capital for this venture, which has since become my primary source of income.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Financial constraints have become a real hurdle for me lately, especially in farming. Every day, I see the costs of essential inputs like fertilizers and seeds climbing higher. Depending on farming for my livelihood means I constantly feel the squeeze of these increasing expenses. It is challenging to keep up with the rising costs in Kenya's economy, but I am exploring different strategies to cope, like searching for more affordable inputs and considering diversifying my crops to lessen the impact of these expenses.It is a struggle, but I am hopeful that with perseverance, I can navigate through these tough times.
