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?
GiveDirectly did well to support us by ensuring we not only had monthly support funds but also provided mobile phones to most of the people in the village who didn’t have phones at all. This initiative has improved communication within my village and improved our notion towards technology(Mpesa services, Operating Mobile phones).
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Initially, my goal was to start poultry farming because of the financial situation back home. After my father died, it has been a struggle to have the basic needs, especially food. My mother's work as a charcoal burner has been inadequate to meet all our needs as a family of five children. Despite of her low pay of KES 500 per bag of charcoal, she has been drained in debts in order to fulfill her financial obligations. I spent my recent transfer of KES 2000 to add four more chicken and gave my mother KES 1000 to settle some of her debts.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($26 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I remember it was in the morning and I was preparing breakfast for my family when I received the transfer message. I was so happy that I couldn't keep the good news for myself as I ran towards my mother to check if she had received hers.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My happiness is seeing my mother happy. Previously she was under so much pressure and stress because of the debts that she had accumulated. She was able to settle the debts and she is in so much peace now.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Ever since my father passed away, I have grown up seeing my mother struggle to provide us through Charcoal burning a job that is not easy given the harsh climatic condition in our region. Having graduated from high school, I wanted to start poutry farming so that I can be able to raise my collage fees and support my mother with raising my four siblings. I wasn't able to raise capital to buy chicken for start up by myself because I didn't have a job but being enrolled into the program opened doors for me. I spend KES 1400 to buy 4 Chicken for start up and gave my mother KES 1600 to clear a debt that she had. I'm hopeful that with the business and monthly transfers, I will be able to join collage and also support my mother with paying school fees for my siblings.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Since I dropped out of school 5 years ago, I have been struggling since I have no source of income. My plan is to start a poultry unit. I will use the first transfer of 3,000 KES to build a structure for the chicken. As the project expands, I know that I will at least get some income from the sale of eggs and the chicken.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am a soccer player representing my village. I really love playing. This month we participated in a tournament which we were semi finalists. We were gifted some goodies for the club and personal allowances. I did some shopping for my mother and siblings and they were very happy. Other than the advancement of my football career, I feel happy when I support my mother and siblings financially.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I dropped out of school at the age of 16 years. I was on and off school due to lack of school fees. My siblings and I have been raised by a single mother since my father passed on when I was fifteen. My biggest challenge now is the fact that I cannot secure meaningful employment. I feel bad that I cannot support my mother well in raising my other siblings who are in school. We are really struggling financially since my mother is also jobless and depends on selling charcoal.
