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 for coming into our village and enrolling the poor households. With the unconditional cash transfer, our lives have changed positively in that I am no longer struggling to meet my basic needs. I do not see anything that it does not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent the larger part of my recent transfer on food this is because we are currently encountering drought and famine in our area. I used KES 2000 to purchase different foodstuffs like maize flour and beans. with the remaining amount, I bought new clothes for myself since I was wearing old ones something that lowered my confidence when I attended community gatherings.
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?
It was around midday when I was preparing vegetables for lunch when I overheard people passing by talking about GD transfers. I asked my sister-in-law to help me confirm if what I heard was true and indeed the rumor was true. I was very happy because I knew that this money is going to help us buy food during Christmas.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The transfers enabled me to get a change of clothes and for once I spent my Christmas with new cloth courtesy of GD.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
We contributed KES 1000 from each family member and bought food for Christmas and spent the remaining KES 150 in buying Christmas cloth.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I was born with a hunchback, a disability that has left me with a lot of shame in the village because no one is even interested to marry me. This has made me feel so depressed with no hope in life. When I heard about GiveDirectly, I became so happy after knowing that, I will also become a recipient. I plan to invest much in livestock keeping especially goats to have my future wealth. To ensure this comes true, I intend to buy 1 goat after every 2 months for 1 year. The other transfers will help me to buy food and better clothes. Thus, this is generally what receiving this money means to me.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I never imagined that GiveDirectly would consider a disabled person like me who has a hunchback to its program. This is because there have been many programs in our area that have excluded me but this has brought more joy to my life because I feel honored like other people.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
In our household, getting food consecutively in a week is a miracle. This means sometimes we sleep hungry because we depend on our mother who is doing charcoal work. Her income is not consistent and also it is very low usually $6 per week. This can not fully cater to our needs and hence, food insecurity is the main challenge that I am currently facing in my life.
