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?
Give Directly does well in registering people and keeping its promises of sending monthly transfers. One of my children failed to attend school for over a month because of insufficient income to fund his education. He joined me in the business of charcoal burning, but we still hit rock-bottom in raising his school fees. It was through Give Directly’s transfer that he resumed his studies. He looks forward to sitting for his exams in December. There is nothing wrong I can pinpoint from the organization’s work.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent most of the money on medical expenses, poultry, food, and school. When the transfers came in, my leg was in severe pain following an earlier accident; so my first transaction, KES 450, took care of the hospital bill and medication. I allocated the remaining cash to settle my children’s school fees amounting to KES 500 and secure food worth KES 690 since we had taken no meal the previous night. Additionally, I purchased 5 chickens at KES 660, with intentions of rearing and letting them reproduce to eventually obtain an income from selling them.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received the text message at around 9 in the morning. I was already on the farm cutting some pieces of wood to burn charcoal. I received the text message and after reading it I knew I had received my first transfer. I can tell you I was very emotional, tears rolled down my cheeks because I was very happy and I still did not believe that I had received the money. I left what I was doing and hurriedly went back home. On reaching back home, my son had arrived from school because of rent arrears. I asked him to go withdraw the money gave him part of it and went back to school.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Yes, the transfer has made a big difference in my family. I am grateful that I received the transfer in time when my son who is epileptic needed some medicine. I did not have any money and the transfer was of great help. I am happy that he is well and doing well at the moment.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have two sons who currently depend entirely on me to provide for them. One of my sons is currently in his final year of secondary education. He learns in a day school far away from our home. He needs support in terms of paying his rent, food, and other personal effects. I currently do not have a job and I have been surviving by burning some logs of wood into charcoal and selling that. Currently, my health status does not favor me to do that job. My last born is epileptic. He has been like this since when he was a young boy 4 years old. To manage his situation he requires some medicine. Getting the money to buy the medicine has proved to be challenging for my family. When I received my first transfer, I spent KSH 900 to buy him some medicine to manage his condition. I also spent KSH 800 on my son who is in his final year has his pocket money when he goes back to school. With the remaining KSH 1300, I bought 6 chickens. My wife and had decided to start a poultry project that will be one of the income-generating projects.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Sometimes back when I was strong and energetic, I used to do hefty manual jobs which left my legs and back very weak. Now that I'm old and unproductive, I can do very little to provide medical support to my daughter who is epileptic and save my crumbling muddy house. With this money, I'm planning to save half of the monthly transfers towards building a better house while the balance with help to cater for basic needs and medical care.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Three months ago, I was visited by some people from a non-governmental organization who planted trees, around my compound. I am hopeful that in some few years time, there will be a beautiful environment around my home and visitors with have shade to sit under.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I got no energy to do the available manual jobs within my location and therefore I have been dependant on my sons for basic needs. Now that they have got their families to provide for, very little support has been coming from them. Most are the days that we end up sleeping hungry and it has not been easy for us.