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?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well in giving us unconditional support which has been helpful in ensuring that we meet our basic needs with ease. It is through the transfers that we are able to provide adequate food as well as pay fees. The subsistence farming we depend on has not been doing well so far. We do not have other stable sources of income thus are left to depend on the monthly transfers. I am grateful for the support and I do not see anything that GiveDirectly does not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am grateful to GiveDirectly because I can now afford to take three meals a day which was my biggest challenge. The transfers have enabled me to purchase enough foodstuffs like maize and other cereals. I am happy that my grandsons can now smile, forgetting the days we used to stay without food in my household. In addition to this, I also took Ksh.1500 of the remaining amount and purchased a goat. This goat is an asset to me that I believe upon reproducing, I will sell the offspring to take care of my future financial needs.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received the text message at 9 am. I was seated under a tree in front of my house. I was deeply in thought of where my next meal would come from. While still thinking hard on what next to take my phone rang loudly and it cut short my web of thoughts. I picked up and since I do not know how to read, I waited for my grandchild to return from school. When he was back I was delighted to hear from him that I had indeed received the transfer.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Yes, money has brought a big difference in my life. I now have plenty of food in the house that will last me for the next couple of weeks. Depending on somebody can sometimes be frustrating but I am grateful that the transfer came at a good time when I needed it the most.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have been solemnly depending on my children to cater to my basic needs. I am currently of age and I am no longer able to work on my farm to earn a living. My age also does not allow me to go out and look for jobs. The children I depend on, do not have permanent jobs and depend mostly on casual jobs. My children send me money monthly. At times they fail to send me anything due to the tough economic conditions that we are currently facing as a country. When this happens I have to put up with sleeping hungry and even reduce the number and quantity of meals. When I received the transfer my priority was to buy food because the food stock was getting finished.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
When my husband was alive, we used to farm and we could harvest enough food for my family. Ever since he died, it has never been the same since the communal land that we depended on was subdivided and I only got a small portion. My biggest dream has been to buy a piece of land where I can do farming and harvest enough food since I have been depending on leased land. Receiving this money means that I will be able to save until I get enough money to buy land.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Christmas is my happiest time. I get time to meet my children who live in the city. We cook, share food and celebrate together.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest challenge that I'm currently facing is food insecurity. Lately, I have become unproductive due to my old age. My children on the other hand cook from their households and no longer care about me. I have to depend on well-wishers and neighbors for food who are not consistence on their visits. The inability to get enough food at my age makes me grow weak.
