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.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I believe GiveDirectly has been doing a great job generally. The enrollment process was free and fair, you have been sending monthly transfers as promised and you have been doing follow up to check on us. I don't take that for granted, continue doing the amazing job that you always do.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have always wished to own livestock as I have been keeping other people's livestock at home in exchange for milk. My husband and I are peasant farmers and the prevailing drought seasons have always made it difficult for us to reap enough havest for our family. This means that, we have to look for casual jobs such as delivering water to homestead or cultivating in people's farms to inorder to be able to provide for our three children and educate them. Therefore, we couldn't afford to buy livestock with the little wages that we were earning averaging to KES 300 per day, given that the jobs were seasonal and unreliable. When I was enrolled in the program, I committed to be buying at least a goat in every two months. I spend my recent transfer to by a goat and I'm looking forward to adding more as I believe this is a great achievement as I will be able to sell them in future and pay bills such as school fees when my children will be joining high school.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was already at my workplace. When I heard my phone ring, I was filling the sacks with charcoal. I ignored it as my focus was on filling the charcoal and finding a potential buyer. I did not have any money to spend on buying breakfast for my family, and this was the only way out. Few minutes later I received a call. After receiving the call, I checked up my phone and realized that I had received my transfer. I left what I was doing and walked back to my house very happy. I requested my son to go withdraw the money and buy the food.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Yes, the money has made a big difference in my life. With, the two chicken I bought I optimistic that all the plans I have for having an alternative source of income and also creating wealth will be successful. This will be an enormous boost for me towards being financially dependent and living a better life
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I bought 2 chicken at KSH 300 each. The motivation of buying the chicken is the creation of wealth and also having an alternative source of income. Once these chicken multiply in numbers, I will sell some and use the money to but some goats and also cows. This is a path I am keenly following to create wealth, since I currently have nothing to claim as my personal wealth. My earnings from the charcoal business are not enough to sustain and take care of my needs. When a time comes when I will struggle, I can sell some of the livestock and attend to my needs. The chicken will provide an alternative source of income where I can also earn some income when I sell them. I also spent the remaining amount to buy 5 packets of maize flour. I hardly had any money left to buy food for my family, and this provided a perfect opportunity to ensure they did not starve with hunger.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Owning livestock is a big source of future wealth that can help one to cater to any emergency in his/her household. This is something that I have desired for a long time and it forced me to borrow my neighbors' goats from which I get 1 after they give birth. Receiving this money means enabling me to buy goats for myself which will multiply fast and have something to depend on in the future. To ensure this materializes, I am planning to spend my first 6 months' transfers (18000 KES) to buy goats. This will assure me of living a better future since I will have a source of wealth to depend on. The remaining transfers will help me to buy food since I have had challenges in feeding my family. Thus, this is generally what receiving this money means to me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the last 6 months, my elder son has been so much helpful to the family because despite his low-income job as a motorcycle taxi driver which earns him utmost $4 per day. He has ensured we get at least 2 meals in a day. This is something that I am so grateful for and it is what has brought more joy to my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband is mentally unstable and also he has a spine problem because he had an accident 20 years ago. Because he did not get the proper medication he recently complained of back pain and this forced me to sell my 3 goats to take him to the hospital. This was never enough because he was referred for further scanning but due to lack of money, this has not happened and I am desperately seeing him in pain. Therefore, financial instability becomes the main challenge that I am currently facing in my life.
