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?
I have a strong desire to pivot towards farming, particularly focusing on cultivating perishable vegetables such as tomatoes. I plan to rent land near the river, recognizing its fertile soil and proximity to a water source—crucial for successful farming. To ensure consistent irrigation, I intend to hire a generator, a vital resource for this endeavor. The appeal of cultivating tomatoes lies in their high demand and ready market availability. I believe that by strategically positioning myself to produce these perishable vegetables, I can generate a sustainable income to support my family. This shift towards farming offers an exciting opportunity. My vision is not just about farming tomatoes; it's about fostering a sustainable livelihood for my family.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly's support has transformed my life profoundly. From a state of despair, I found myself uplifted, and for that, I'm immensely grateful. The notion of receiving money without the traditional toil seemed like a miracle, a beacon of hope that arrived when I needed it most. I hope that GiveDirectly continues its noble work, extending support to more individuals within our communities. The impact has been nothing short of remarkable. Witnessing the joy and gratitude among our people is heartening. GiveDirectly's intervention has facilitated incredible changes—people have invested in livestock, and businesses, built new homes, enhanced sanitation facilities, and even covered school fees. The ripple effect of this support has been inspiring, touching numerous aspects of our community's well-being. It's not just about the monetary aid; it's about the empowerment it brings, enabling individuals to make substantial improvements in their lives.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving my second transfer of $450 from GiveDirectly, my primary focus was procuring food, a crucial investment given the consistent challenge of sustaining ourselves. We heavily rely on casual jobs and our small-scale farming efforts, yet the past three years have seen our harvests thwarted by unpredictable rainfall patterns, resulting in continual losses. The struggle to provide for our four children and ourselves persists. Last year, blessed with better rains, I invested $150 in planting maize once more. Additionally, I allocated $200 to purchase sheep, preferring their manageable nature as they refrain from causing disturbances in other people's farms. I intend to breed them, sell their offspring, and thereby sustain our family. To diversify our turnover, I introduced chickens into our homestead by purchasing four for $14. I hold hope that through the sale of eggs and chicken, a steady income can be generated to support our daily needs. Another significant change came in the form of a mattress, acquired for $40. Previously, I endured discomfort sleeping on an old, inadequate one supported by worn-out bags. This new investment has alleviated the strain on my back and waist, ensuring a more restful night's sleep. Despite the challenges, these investments represent hope for a better future, enabling us to move forward with renewed determination and resilience.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
18010 KES ($121 USD)
access_time 7 months ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I vividly recall the day I received my transfer. I was at home when I heard the sudden buzz of a message notification. Being illiterate, I called my daughter to help me check the message. She confirmed that I had received money from GiveDirectly. Unable to contain my excitement, I immediately called my husband and shared the wonderful news with him. He was elated because he knew that we could now bring our plans to fruition in a much shorter time frame than we had previously thought possible, considering our financial constraints. I am immensely grateful for the support we received.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have managed to accomplish my goals in a relatively brief time frame. I have been able to effortlessly stock up on enough food for our household and even purchase a comfortable mattress, something I once believed was out of reach due to financial limitations. It genuinely feels like a dream come true, and I'm deeply thankful for the assistance that has elevated our quality of life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
For quite some time, I had nurtured a strong desire to acquire a comfortable mattress, but financial constraints had made it feel like an unattainable dream. However, when I received my first transfer, I decided to spend $40 towards purchasing that much-needed mattress. An additional $40 was wisely invested in fertilizers and pesticides for my crops. With the remaining $55, I secured essential food supplies such as maize and sugar. Previously, these purchases had been beyond my reach, primarily due to the financial demands of school fees and other responsibilities. These financial burdens had posed significant obstacles to achieving my goals. My husband and I depend on farming for our livelihood, and we are blessed with four children. I am genuinely thrilled that, in a relatively short period, I was able to fulfill these aspirations, all thanks to the invaluable support I received.
Enrolled
access_time 9 months ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
The transfer will be timely. We've had consistent food insecurity for the last 3 years. We plan to buy foodstuffs such as maize, beans, sugar, and cooking oil amongst other household essentials. We'll spend all of the first transfer($200) to buy food. This should support us for at least 3 months.
To ensure we have enough income in the future. We also plan to buy 4 goats, 2 sheep, and 2 cows. This will cost about $600. Livestock do we here and should sustain us in the long term. Will provide us with milk and can sell when the numbers grow.
We also plan to renovate our 3-roomed house. It's old and not cemented. We need to cement it to improve our healthy conditions and also ease the burden of cleaning it. That can cost almost $300.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Our biggest joy is our children. They have all grown up and are well educated, it brings joy to us. We hope that they'll soon get jobs so that they can support us. Children are a blessing.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest challenge we face is a lack of food. In the last 3 years, there has been little rain. This has not been enough for growing maize. This has affected our ability to get food. We also depend on irrigation but the water doesn't get to our farm because people upstream use it all. All these have made it difficult to get food. We mainly depend on casual labour which is hard to come by. One is paid $3 per day which can hardly support our family due to the high cost of living. This has made our lives difficult, affecting our ability to put food daily on the table.
