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 is doing well by providing cash transfer to the poor.The biggest impact is that this funds have improved the living standard in this area,eg children can go to school and availability of food.However I would wish if the program would increase the funds and run the program for few months.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have 6 children and my husband works away from our home as a househelp and he earns KES 4000 per month.Currently I live in a small house and I have been longing to have a new bigger house.I used my KES 1400 to buy ironsheets and due to the financial constraints I was forced to pay KES 1000 school fees and bought 6 packets of maize flour for KES 600 to last for a week.
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 10am in the morning,I was seated just next to my house and I was in deep thought because the previous day we had slept hungry and we still didn't manage to get anything for breakfast even for the school going children. All of sudden my neighbour came to my home smiling and saying that GiveDirectly has sent the funds,I smiled back and anxiously went inside to look for my phone.As soon as I saw the message I felt relieved and excited at the same time I went to where my husband was attending a meeting and shared the good news.He was excited and happy as well and we all agreed on what to do with the money as a family.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving this transfers from GiveDirectly is that I have goals that I want to accomplish. In my home the biggest challenge we are facing with my husband is providing food and education for my children,but with the monthly funds am certain that my family will atleast have food and my children will have uninterrupted education. My new goals include buying livestock and building a bigger house as time goes by.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My first transfer was spent on school fees and food.I paid Kes 500 as part of the school fees so that my son who is in class 7 would remain at school and finish his exams and used the Kes 700 to buy four packets of maize flour and 1kg of beans .I was grateful because the previous day my family had neither dinner nor breakfast.In a family of 7 members I was happy to know we can have a meal for the next few days.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
It will be a blessing to my household to solve problems like housing that has remained a pain in the family for a longer time. Our small house cannot accommodate all of us and every night we have to squeeze ourselves to fit to escape cold and dust.so we are hopeful this money will change our lives for better
What is the happiest part of your day?
I had dreamt of having lights in my home and fortunately my husband struggled to secure a loan and pay for the solar lights and I feel I live in my dream world and am hopeful together we will have sunny days.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I have so much and already my husband is working as a house help but still both of us are struggling to educate my 2 school aged kids who remain at home for lack of fees.Another challenge is I have 3 children who are in teenage years and we are struggling to share the small house together, with me and my spouse. For my teenage children there is no privacy at all and i feel it is shameful for us as parents.
