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?
In my opinion GiveDirectly is doing well by giving us cash transfer in smaller portions because with my business,I have been able to manage and evaluate my profit margin depending on the amount invested on monthly basis.I wouldn't want anything differently done at the moment.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a single mother of two who highly depends on selling of wine.My first transfer was spent in additional stock of wine and paying my two children school fees.Recently my transfer of KES 3000 came and I used KES 1000 to pay for the school fees which is KES 1200 per term for my children. The rest KES 2000 was used to add more stock and currently my profits are appreciating from KES 300 to KES 500.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
On that fateful day, my phone was charging. While at my business place I had some of my friends talking about receiving money from GiveDirectly. I quickly became restless and decided to go check my phone if I had also received the cash. When I started my found out that I had received the cash too. I became very happy. I had not expected to receive such money from anybody
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The money has made all the difference in my life. With the money, my business is now thriving due to the boost. I am grateful that I can get more customers and from that, I can look after my kids well. I am also grateful that my kid is still in school learning well. The money was a great push for me towards having a stable life with my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
In recent times life has been hard on me and my children. Being a single mum has not been that easy for me. I opted to start my small business so that I can feed my family. Due to harsh economic times, the business had not been faring well and I need some extra cash to inject so that I can make a good profit from my business. I have always tried to get money but with no success. When I received the cash from GiveDirectly I spent KSH 2000 on my business so that I could help grow it further. I also spent KSH 1000 on paying school fees for my child. He was about to be sent home due to school fees and since I had gotten the money I would not let that happen to my son.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Am a single mother of two. I sell palm wine for a living. Two years back I had to leave the village going to seek employment but since my children had no one to take care of them I had to come back. We have conflicted with my husband for neglecting the responsibilities of providing for my children. Through GiveDirectly, I will be capacitated to save 2000KES monthly for my business. With this cash, will be able to increase 20litre jerrican of palm wine on monthly basis. My ultimate goal is to transport ten jerricans of palm wine to the nearby town daily.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Managing to collect palm wine early and get back home by eight in the morning, usually make me feel relaxed.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I dropped out of school in standard three due to fee issues. After four years of staying at home, I got into a relationship that resulted in getting a baby. I was not able to marry my baby dad since he did not have a job. Three years later, I got a second baby from the same man. Life turned sour after being left with the responsibility of being the breadwinner for not only my children but for my entire family since my father is sick.
