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?
I got my first transfer in December. In January, February and March, I failed to get any funds. The next one came in April. In January, my children had school fee arrears. Since I was depending on the money, I was very optimistic that I would settle the bill. Unfortunately, this was never the case. I made a follow-up and an agent advised that someone would call me back, which did not happen. 2 months later, this is when I was contacted. If only the organization would improve when it comes to consistency in sending out the funds, it would be helpful. However, it has done very well when it comes to financial support.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used my transfer to buy a quarter kilogram of sugar and 6 packets of maize flour. This is because, my husband, who works as a handyman at a construction site, had not been contracted that week. So, when we ran out of the cash we had, we were forced to sleep hungry. Luckily, the next day, I received the funds from give directly. The KES 2000 that remained I used to buy a goat to rear.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was up and about that day busy doing laundry when I received the money. The grin I had on my face was uncontrollable because I had no expectation whatsoever that GiveDirectly would keep their word and leave alone that, I had never heard or seen such a program so it all seemed like a facade at first but it proved me wrong big time. I was grateful.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The financial support that I received was a significant difference because on most occasions I rely on my husband and at times the financial burden is also overwhelming for him to bear alone. Therefore I am glad that I can also now offer support in different matters pertaining our family and lessen the load for my husband. It has given me financial autonomy.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Literally a day before I received the money my kids had been kicked out of school just because I could not afford to pay their fees. I was stranded and stressed because I had no money either and was scared they would spend a lot of time at home while they missed out on their studies. Fortunately seems like my lucky stars aligned because the following day GiveDirectly came through for me and I paid for my three children KES 1,000 for the tuition fee. Honestly it was such a huge relief that I cannot even fathom to explain. The rest of what was left I decided to purchase laundry detergent that cost KES 100 and body oil which was KES 50.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Currently, I depend fully on my husband to take care of every financial need of this family because I do not have any source of income. But I always wish I could actively help him shoulder some of that burden like by paying school fees for our children. The three children who are still in grade school paying levies amounting to about 2000 KES per academic term each, are constantly out of school because my husband can not keep up with that. He is a hustler juggling between construction jobs in Mombasa and burning charcoal in the village, both of which are low in income and are extremely short term. Though the situation isn't worse yet, I'm worried; at this rate the future is bleak.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My life is already hard enough full of every kind of struggle, but it always feels good to know that none of my children is sick. Other than being completely unable to pay medical bills most of the time, it's also not easy to access quality medication in a place so remote like this.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The inadequacy of financial resources is steadily crippling my children's education. They are always home to collect school fees areas and each time I have to take them back and lie to the teachers to earn them a little more time. This works temporarily but I wish I had a permanent solution better than giving false hope
