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?
GiveDirectly does well in supporting the needy in the society through the issuing of the unconditional transfers. This has helped many within my village to have hope, invest the money, and have assurance of living a good life away from poverty.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
It has been my dream to own a big land where I would do both crop and animal farming. The land I am currently living in is too small as all my relatives depend on the farm. Sometimes back, I saved some paltry amount of money from what I earned so that I could buy land. When I received my second transfer, I spent it all on the payment of the land. Once I complete the payment, the land would be of great importance in that I will grow many types of crops, keep lots of livestock and from this earn a lot of income.
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 felt very happy when I was told I had received money from GiveDirectly. I had the confidence that I could personally sort my problems without depending on anyone.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I greatly depend on my children to support and provide for me. With the transfers, I can now comfortably buy clothes and food without bothering them.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent the money to buy new clothes. The clothes I had were very old. Some were even torn. These kinds of clothes were lowering my dignity.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
The shame of going to knock on my neighbor's doors in search of casual jobs will leave me. My husband is frail and cannot work.
I am forced to dig people's farms to feed both of us. As age catches up with me, my energy is dwindling if not nonexistent and I could use some rest. This money will mean that both of us can easily get food to last us through the month. I can't wait to get off this difficulty of straining this body.
What is the happiest part of your day?
What is exciting about not having any means of survival? What is there to be happy about when all hope is gone? I am sad that a human being can suffer so much without relief over the years.
I have not found joy in anything for the past five years if not more, not talking about six months my child.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Imagine having to starve in my old age, as if I had not worked a day in my life during my heyday. I have nothing to my name, not even one chicken.
I have no farm that I can plant food for consumption leave alone selling.
All my life was focused on raising my children. We did not afford to save any money for use in old age.
Now that there is a drought, my husband and I are almost starving to death. What a way to die! What a pity!
