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?
In the next one year and beyond, my goal is to purchase a cow that will enable me to have milk for our daily consumption. To achieve this, my plan is to utilize the income I generate from my farming enterprise. I am immensely grateful for the support that ha impacted our living standards positively.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
The freedom to use our transfer funds according to our individual needs was truly empowering. It enabled us to spent the money to things that held significant importance to each of us. Throughout my entire experience, I did not encounter anything that required correction, as everything was flawlessly executed. I am immensely appreciative of the support we received, as it has had a profound and positive transformation on our lives in ways we could not have imagined. The impact has been truly remarkable, and we are forever grateful for the assistance provided.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Upon receiving my second transfer from GiveDirectly, I made a decision to allocate the funds towards a significant investment in fencing my land with barbed wire. Due to financial constraints, I had been unable to pursue this endeavor earlier. As a farmer, being married and blessed with seven children, I understand the importance of securing my land, as farming is our primary source of income. Therefore, I invested $80 in the fencing project. In addition to that, I used $80 to acquire a goat, which I believe will further contribute to our livelihood. Moreover, I used $100 to purchase essential food supplies for my family. The support provided by GiveDirectly has surpassed all my expectations and has had a profound impact on my life. The opportunity to fence my land and secure vital provisions has brought immense relief and optimism for the future. I am sincerely grateful for the assistance received, as it has brought a positive transformation to my existence.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
18010 KES ($129 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
When I discovered that GiveDirectly had sent the promised funds, I was overjoyed. It was later in the evening that my assistant told me the happy news. I knew that this transfer, as a resident of a semi-arid area, would give me the opportunity to achieve a lot.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My life is different from how it was before receiving the transfer. This is because we currently have food that can still last us for some time. In addition, I was also able to plant millet, so my children will always have something to eat after the harvest.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My creditors were on my neck since I had an outstanding debt of KES 10,000 by the time that I received my first transfer. With it, I was able to use KES 8000 to pay my debtor. After prioritizing this, I spent KES 6,000 to purchase a sack of maize for our consumption and used KES 500 to transport it home. In addition, I bought two chickens at 700 for rearing, used KES 500 to buy millet seeds for planting, and spent the remaining amount on other food items.
Enrolled
access_time over 1 year ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
We are faced with insatiable needs at the moment from food to debts. Once we sort out the issue of food insecurity, we intend to embark on compound fencing. We have always wanted to fence it to keep at bay the livestock from feeding on the grass on the roof of our kitchen house but it has not been possible because of lack of finance. They usually invade our compound at night when we are asleep and devour the grass on the roof. This has become a thorn in the flesh since it has exposed the roof and we are afraid that it will eventually collapse, it is a big deal to access long grass for roofing and that is our bother. It is for this reason that we intend to use $150 to purchase a barbed for fencing. We also intend to leverage the availability of water and pastures which will be plenty during this time of long rains to buy at least 10 goats to create wealth for future use.
What is the happiest part of your day?
We have been praying to God to give us rain. It had taken a long time before it rained and we have borne the brunt of it. We have been forced to travel for long distances to look for water and since we cannot afford to use the services of motor vehicles we have no option but to carry on our backs which is so tiring. Recently, the onset of long rains started and we're so excited and thankful to God. We are now certain that we will have an easy time of accessing water and even our livestock will have enough pastures and water.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Life is full of adversities and we have not been spared as a family. The high cost of living has affected us a big deal since we are people of little means. We are struggling with the serious challenge of food insecurity. The situation was worsened by the prolonged drought that has had devastating effects on our crops and livestock. Currently, we are buying a Kg of maize at $1 up from $ 0.6 which is high and sometimes unaffordable. So bad is the situation that we survive on just a meal per day or other times we only cook porridge for dinner just to sustain us to see the next day. It is so hurting and my children have been most affected by it.
