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 monthly cash donations from give directly have uplifted my life. I used to struggle financially and to make ends meet. Now, it feels like I have an additional source of income. For this, I am entirely grateful and I can only say everything directly does is well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Other than practicing pastoral farming, I also manufacture charcoal for a living. In a week, I make around KES700. This is not enough to pay for my two children's school fees. When my first transfer came in, I had school fee arrears of KES2800. So, I cleared it and bought food with the remaining KES200. My second transfer came in when I had arrears of KES2400 for the second term fee. I also cleared it and bought food with the remaining KES600. Currently, I have arrears of KES4500 that I am planning to settle using the earnings I will be getting from my job.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
If I was given an opportunity to express what I felt from the moment I received my first transfer,believe you me I would ran out of words. For the first time I was assured of getting KES 3000 every month for the next five years. I remember that day when GiveDirectly field officers walked into the village with the good new that we would receive unconditional cash transfers which wouldn't be connected to any government body, nor religious group nor any tribe. It gotten us with some disbelief. In my life I never met any charity organization which was giving direct cash transfers to its beneficiaries like GiveDirectly. The happiness I had had no boundaries since I was assured of dreaming again amidst a pandemic, Coronavirus. I have always wished to have my own home, happy family with enough food and now I am sure I would be able to achieve my dreams. My children would be able to go to school once again.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
My life has really changed though I would admit that the impact can't be noticed by others right now simply because this marked my first transfer. I Believe as I continue to receive the transfers for the next five years,my life won't remain the same again. Just to mention that my life has improved for the last one month.It became much enjoyable with the family since no more stress for food for the family. It would be like a basic income to me. For the first time I was assured of getting KES 3000 every month for the next five years. The Joy of seeing my children and grandchildren going to school simply makes me happy and satisfied with life since they are the future generation. I remember that day when GiveDirectly field officers walked into the village with the good news that we would receive unconditional cash transfers, it gotten us with some disbelief. However the statement was confirmed to be true when I received my first transfer of KES 3000. I have always wished to have my own home, happy family with enough food and now I am sure I would be able to achieve my dreams. My children would be able to go to school once again. Thank you so much GiveDirectly for remembering the Less fortunate bim the community. Thank you for bringing back the light again unto us by eradicating poverty.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
This transfers has really helped me a lot. When I received my first transfer of KES 3000, I was able to settle my children's school arrairs worth KES 2800. This really made a very big difference in my life since my children had stayed home for sometimes after they were chased due to school fees balances. The remaining balance of KES 200 from the KES 3000 that I received from GiveDirectly assisted me in buying some food for the family. Thank you so much the giver from GiveDirectly.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Imagine depending on charcoal burning all through in my life to feed my family as well as to educate the children! It has been so hard for me to take my children to high school. This means anyone who completed standard 8 never managed to high school due to the financial crisis. With the help from GiveDirectly, I am confident that this will give my 2 children the opportunity to get a better education since I will be able to pay their school fees. To ensure they proceed to high school, I will start investing in livestock keeping especially goats that are drought resistant and they multiply fast. I intend to buy 1 goat every month for the first 10 months of the program. The remaining transfers will support my family with other basic needs like food, nice clothing, and better beddings.
What is the happiest part of your day?
In the past 6 months, I have enjoyed good health with my family because no one has complained of sickness. This is something that has given me peace of mind unlike when there are diseases. Hence, I consider this as something that has brought happiness to my life.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Food insecurity is the main challenge that I am currently facing in my life. This is because I depend on charcoal burning as my source of income which is not reliable at the moment due to the scarcity of trees. This has forced us to skip meals something that has affected my school-going children when they go to school hungry. Their performances have been low and I always feel this has been contributed by the lack of enough food.
