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 like the fact that GiveDirectly is giving people money and letting them decide on how to spend it. I have witnessed great improvement so far though not much, but I believe with time a lot will improve in our village. Previously, skipping meals or going for a whole day without any meal was the norm but it is not happening anymore. People are more lively and look healthier unlike before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have a mud house but it is in a bad condition, one side of the wall has already fallen off, and we have covered it with a polythene bag while most of the timber on the roof has already broken. I need permanent structure but I have not been able to raise money for building materials since the KES 300 I make from my small business daily is not enough to meet my children's school fees, food, and the building materials. When I received the second transfer, I paid a deposit of KES 2000 in nearby hardware where I will be purchasing the building materials for a new house. I know it will take me more than a year to raise enough building materials for constructing a brick house but it will be worth the patience rather than constructing another mud house that will not last for more than three years. KES 1000 I paid for my son's school fees to reduce the balance he owes the school. He recently cleared his final year in secondary school, but he still owes the school KES 20000 which he has to clear for him to be given both his results and certificate. I, will, therefore be paying for it in bits until the fee is cleared.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($10 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was just at home sweeping and cleaning the house as I heard a buzz on my phone. I gave my son the phone to read to me the text and on hearing it was an MPESA message from GiveDirectly, I was so elated and knew that food would now be adequate in the house. I withdrew the funds on the same day.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I was able to buy food for the entire household and now we cannot sleep hungry anymore. Time has been quite tough and the funds from GiveDirectly have positively impacted our livelihoods in the best way possible.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The lack of adequate funds to sustain a family is a major setback and being the sole breadwinner, I have witnessed this first hand. I am married to one husband who lost his sight and is unable to work with whom we are blessed with four children. On receiving the KES 1200, I was quite releaved as we now were able to buy food enabling us not to sleep hungry anymore as food was already finished in the house.
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am in a polygamous family of two wives sharing a two bedroom house which is in a pathetic condition and unsafe for people to sleep in. The condition worsens whenever it rains as the roof leaks. Receiving this money would mean I build a new house for my family of four members who we are still sharing the same house despite two of them being of age. The house will go a long way in providing decent shelter for us as a family as well as respect in the neighborhood since sometimes my children have to go to the neighbors to sleep especially when we get visitors.
What is the happiest part of your day?
It was during the new year celebration when I spent 500 KES from my only savings to buy two kilograms of wheat flour for my family. This put the whole family in jovial mood as we rejoiced together. Seeing my children in good health and also in school makes me feel great.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Providing basic needs for my family is a big challenge. I depend on my small business of selling palm wine which is not reliable as I only get peanuts from it. My family of four members can not afford three meals a day and those in school have huge fees balance. This has affected their academic performance which I am afraid they will not get the best results in their final examination.
