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 on my farm harvesting my maize when I heard my phone buzz with a text message. When I checked it, I was overjoyed to see that I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy but kept my joy to myself since I was not alone for security purposes. I had planned to use this money to buy sheep, and at that moment, I knew I would finally be able to make my plan a reality. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for making this possible!
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
For four years, my three children slept on the floor without a bed or a proper mattress, and as a mother, this made me very worried. We live in an area where snakes are common, so I was scared every night for their safety. Then, I received cash from GiveDirectly, which helped me buy them a mattress and a bed. Now, I can relax knowing they are safe and comfortable while they sleep. I feel at peace, and I am very thankful to GiveDirectly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used to live in another village where I was married, but sadly, my husband and I separated four years ago, and I had to start over again. While I previously did both crop farming and livestock keeping in my matrimonial home, I returned to my parents' house, determined not to give up. I continued with my crop farming activities and have been eager to venture back into livestock production, particularly with sheep, but I unfortunately lacked the means to do so. When I received my first cash transfer from GiveDirectly, my top priority was to purchase two sheep, one costing $57 and the other $60. My goal is to manage them well and sell some to help pay for my five children's school fees in the future, especially since my ex-husband only contributes a little due to his struggles with alcoholism. Additionally, I had only one bed, and my children were sleeping on the floor, which was risky because there are many snakes in our area. To improve their safety and comfort, I decided to buy them a bed and mattress, which cost $83. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for your support.
Enrolled
access_time 4 months ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
To meet the school fees challenge, I will allocate USD 308 to cover the fees for my two secondary school children, ensuring their uninterrupted education.
With the remaining USD 538, I plan to expand my house to better accommodate my family. Additionally, some funds will be used for purchasing food and clothing, while the rest will be invested in income-generating activities. Specifically, I aim to venture into agriculture and poultry farming, establishing a sustainable source of income for my family's future.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In May, floods swept away all our household items, leaving us with nothing. I was grateful to receive a donation of utensils from the Kenya Red Cross, which provided us with essential items for our kitchen and greatly improved our situation.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am facing difficulties affording food for my family of 5 with the USD2.3 I earn daily from manual labor. It's not enough to cover our needs for food and other essentials. Living in a single room is also challenging; sometimes, I have to send some children to sleep at neighbors' homes due to lack of space.
Moreover, I am struggling to gather enough money to pay school fees for my two secondary school children. Additionally, I lack the capital needed to invest in agricultural farming, which could potentially provide us with a sustainable source of income.
