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.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I was so happy to receive $450 from GiveDirectly. When the money arrived, I had already been affected and displaced by floods. I had been relying on the kindness of neighbors, and I was living in difficult conditions. However, when I received the money, I had already borrowed land where I could build a home away from the risk of floods. I used $350 to buy iron sheets, labor, and nails, which allowed me to build a house for my family. Now, we live in a safe, secure home, without the fear of being affected by floods again.
Once the house was done, I used $56 to buy food, ensuring my family would not go hungry. At that time, I had no harvest, and finding casual labor was difficult. This money helped make sure my family never missed a meal. After that, I used $12 to buy a small water drum to store water at home, which is very helpful for daily use.
The rest of the money was used to recover some of the household items I had lost during the floods. Additionally, the money helped me take one of my children, who was feeling unwell, to get medical care. Thanks to GiveDirectly, I was able to rebuild my life and take care of my family during a very challenging time.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
What stood out for me with GiveDirectly is their level of professionalism and their commitment to alleviating poverty through unconditional cash transfers. Their approach has been very transparent and effective, and it has made a real difference in my life. I have no recommendations for them, except to encourage them to reach as many people as possible. The impact they have on families like mine is truly remarkable, and I believe many more people could benefit from their support.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
For this year and beyond, my goal is to focus on agriculture, including both livestock keeping and crop farming. I plan to use the next transfer from GiveDirectly to make this happen. With the money, I will buy livestock and invest in maize farming. This will help me generate income and also solve the food security issues at home. The thought of this makes me feel good because it means my standard of living will improve. I’m excited for the future, knowing that these steps will provide more stability and a better life for my family.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
18240 KES ($141 USD)
access_time 4 months ago
attach_money
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
A few months ago, I had my own house, but after the floods, I was left homeless when our home was swept away. I had no option but to seek temporary shelter while figuring out what to do next. Luckily, a neighbor offered me her house to stay in with my four children. Receiving my first transfer from GiveDirectly relieved my stress, and I couldn't think of anything but constructing a new house. I bought eight iron sheets for $82, and the transport cost from town for these iron sheets was $10. I found a plot where I plan to pay a deposit of $200 with my second transfer and clear the rest later; with the balance, I will buy the remaining materials and continue construction. Additionally, our clothes were worn out, and I couldn't afford to buy for everyone, so I purchased clothes for my husband and my three children, which cost $40. Food was another issue; currently, I am unwell and can’t do heavy work, and my husband has two wives. I spent a total of $30 on food and paid $8 toward a debt we had at the shop where we had taken food items on credit. Thank you, GiveDirectly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I had my own house, but after the floods, it was completely swept away, leaving me and my four children homeless. With nowhere else to go, a kind neighbor offered us temporary shelter in her home, and I’ll always be grateful for that. When I received my first transfer from GiveDirectly, it was like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders, and my first thought was to rebuild our home. I bought eight iron sheets, and now there’s a glimmer of hope. With the next transfer, I’ll buy the remaining materials to complete the house and also secure a plot by paying the deposit, ensuring we have a stable place to call home again.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I left my phone at home and went to do charcoal production. When I returned home, I did not check my phone right away. Shortly after, my phone began ringing; it was my neighbor calling to ask if I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I told her to let me check and immediately hang up to check my messages, and indeed, I had received it. I was so excited; it had been a long time since I received such an amount. My first thought was to construct a house since mine had been swept away by the floods.
Enrolled
access_time 6 months ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Currently, I'm facing a lot of challenges. However, the most pressing challenge I'm facing at the moment is the sickness that has made it difficult for me to work and provide for my family. I haven't been able to go to the hospital because of a lack of money which has made it even worse for me. I'm in a lot of pain which makes life almost unbearable.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My happiness on a daily basis comes from my children. Seeing them happy and healthy greatly delights me and I always thank God for them.
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
Receiving Give Directly's cash transfers means so much to my family and I. I plan to use the first cash transfer to purchase food for my family. I intend to use at least KES 5000 to purchase food stuff. For the remaining KES 13000 I Intend to seek medical assistance for the sickness I'm currently suffering from. Since I haven't been able to seek medical support in the past because of lack of money, the cash transfers will help me a great deal. For the second and third cash transfers, I intend to add an extra room to my small single roomed house. This is important to me since I don't have enough room for both my children and I to sleep in. I intend to spend about KES 20000 of the transfers on this. I also intend to pay school fees for my son Jeff who is in University and daughter Faith who is in secondary school. I'm glad that the cash transfers from Give Directly will offer my children a chance to better their future in a way that I would not have been able to.