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 am grateful for GiveDirectly's initiative. I'm glad it was introduced to us. When it came, I remember, it helped me pay for my children's medical bills. I'd only urge that the initiative continue.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
For the first transfer, I bought food with it. As for the second transfer, I used KES 450 to buy a 'jiko' with it. I intend on using it to cook potatoes and in turn grow my business. At that time 2 of my children were unwell and I used part of the transfer to take them to hospital. We had also lacked food for 2 days hence, I used the remaining part of the transfer to buy food.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received this money on a day I was very stranded. There was no food in my house. My children were almost coming back for lunch and I had nothing to buy food. When I received the message from MPESA, I felt very happy. I was in fact in disbelief.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I ferry water for me to earn a living. With the transfers from GiveDirectly coming in, I can now at least save some amount from my occupation and do some other things. Before I was unable to save, I could use all the amount to buy food.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am a mother of 7 children who all depend on me. I work as a casual laborer. I ferry water for people making approximately 100 KES per day. With this amount, it is very challenging to provide enough food for my children. Sometimes we go to bed hungry or take only two meals. I used all the amount I received to buy food.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I did my research in my village to find a gap in business that I can start when I found out that GD was planning to give us financial aid. Starting a business has always been my dream so I can help my husband with some household responsibilities. This business will cost me around 1500 KES for a starter as I see its progress and channel the rest of the money to feeding my family.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My husband got good pay in May and bought 2 kg of rice, this brought light to my children because it has been a long time since they ate rice. Seeing my children happy brought me joy too.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Feeding my family is my main challenge, depending on my husband's income is not easy because the money is not enough to take care of all the responsibilities in the house. I fetch water for people during this dry season where I earn 100 KES per day. The money sometimes is not enough to feed my 8 children and pay their school fees too.
