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 went to fetch water from the river and left my phone at home. My children were home and, when they heard the message notification, they thought it was a call. They came running to the river, shouting, "Mummy, someone called!" and gave me the phone. I realized it was a message confirming I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I jumped with excitement, and my children were curious. Later that evening, after my husband returned from looking after our sheep, I shared the news, and he was happy. Thank you, GiveDirectly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
A few months ago, we experienced heavy rains in our area. This initially brought us joy, especially for farmers, as our crops had been unsuccessful for many seasons due to a shortage of rain. For us, this was a blessing. Little did we know it would bring us the worst. The rains caused floods that swept away our crops and destroyed our house. We had to move temporarily, and although we have returned, our house is still in disrepair. We have been planning to get a plot somewhere else and move to avoid the same issues, but due to a lack of finances, this seemed impossible. Luckily, GiveDirectly transfers have restored our hope. We are planning to get a plot with our next transfer, build a house, and move. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for making this possible.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have three children, and one of them has already started elementary school. To provide for their needs, my husband and I depend on charcoal and crop production. We use the income from charcoal production to finance crop production. However, crop production is not reliable due to frequent climate shocks. For example, during the recent rains, we lost all our maize crops to floods. To have an alternative source of income and to ensure our kids don't lack school fees when they get to high school, we decided to spend all our first transfer on the purchase of three sheep, each costing $60, adding to the four we already had. We preferred sheep because they multiply easily and are easier to manage than goats. With this investment, we hope to sell the sheep in the coming years to address needs like school fees.
Enrolled
access_time 4 months ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Receiving this money will enable me to ensure my family's welfare. I intend to invest KES 50,000 in buying land in a safer area, especially during the rainy season. The rest will go towards purchasing three goats at KES 6,000 each, serving as a long-term investment for our food security. Additionally, some funds will be allocated to cover construction and basic family needs.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Dependence on agriculture as the primary source of income, particularly in drought conditions, presents difficulties, often requiring the use of irrigation. Following a two-year pause, the resurgence of rainfall six months ago provided considerable relief, raising my hopes for abundant yields. Yet, this happiness was fleeting due to heavy rainfall causing flooding in our region. Despite these setbacks, my optimism persists as the rivers are replenished, securing my ability to sustain irrigation for my farm.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Living in a dilapidated hut, ravaged by recent floods, has made life incredibly challenging. The loss of my one-acre maize crop has only added to the struggle. I fear another calamity could leave us homeless. To survive, I've had to sell my goats, a painful decision to ensure our survival.
