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?
The casual work that I do does not earn me much, which has caused me to have financial constraints. When give directly started sending out the cash donations, my finances were boosted. Now, I am able to meet most of my needs. So, in my opinion, give directly has done very well and I do not see any area where it has done badly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I manufacture charcoal for a living. This has helped in raising my two children who are in class 6 and class 7. So, when I received the first transfer, I had a school fee arrears of KES850 so from the amount I paid KES550 to reduce it. The remaining KES600 I used to buy two chickens. As for the second transfer, I used KES2600 to buy a goat, and the 400 that remained, I saved so I may buy more chickens. This is because I want to start livestock farming which will help in boosting my finances.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 7pm late in the evening and I was out in the field looking after my goats when I received the text message confirming that I have received the money from GiveDirectly. I was so happy when I got the money because I had thought and I was actually worried that it could have been a lie or hoax. I wasn't entirely sure that I was really going to receive the money, therefore, I was so happy when I received it as it cleared up all doubt that I had and indeed it helped me address the challenges I was facing, especially school fees for my children.
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 money from GiveDirectly is that I was able to add two mature chickens to the number that I was already having which wasn't as large as I desired. This is something I am very grateful for, since it wasn't possible to add mature chickens to the ones I had before but it was only made possible by GiveDirectly. I am so grateful.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of the transfer which was KES 600 on buying two chickens that were already mature and on verge of reproduction. I decided to get these because they are a nice investment that won't take long to start generating me income regularly and I could, in the future, exchange a couple for money or other livestock like a young goat or maybe even a cow. I am so happy with this step I made because it is, without doubt, in the right direction. All thanks to GiveDirectly. I
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money from GiveDirectly means quality education for my children. Two of my children are currently in school. However, they have been irregular in class attendance because they are constantly sent home because of school fees. I am planning to save 60,000KES from the transfer to educate my children. This will ensure that they get enough study time in school and this will definitely translate to improved academic performance. I will use the balance to buy enough food for my family. I have failed to harvest anything in my farm for the second season and this has made my family go without food for some days.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Five months ago, I worked for 40 days in a construction site. I was paid 20,000KES and use the wages to buy food for my family and later bought two goats. This brought happiness in my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity and inability to pay school fees for my children are the challenges I am currently facing. Failing to harvest in any farming season interrupts my family's food supply. Going to bed without eating is becoming a normal thing. This has denied me peace for long. Seeing my children home because I have been unable to pay their school fees on time has become a norm and it's really traumatizing.
