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?
GiveDirectly did well in sending us cash which is unconditional to our mobile phones. Moreover, they do well for conducting a meeting before the actual enrollment where I was equipped with the necessary knowledge about the program. I don't see anything that they did not do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 1200 of my recent transfer to clear all the debt that I had accrued at the shopkeeper where I had been taking food on loan. With the remaining amount, I bought enough foodstuffs for my family. I planning to use the next transfer to build a new house since the one I had collapsed 3 weeks ago. I am currently being sheltered by my neighbors.
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?
It was a moment of joy. I did not believe I could receive money without paying for it until I received the message.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Food insecurity has been a challenge in this household. It was very normal for me to take two meals a day due to insufficient food. Life became better when I received the money. I bought food that can last us for a whole month.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I bought food with the money I received. I bought 24 kilograms of maize flour. Farming is what I depend for food provision. Due to failed rains, I now buy the food from shops.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My old age does not demand much. At least my wife and I will afford to feed well without having to bother our children.
Hoping my wife will also benefit from these transfers, combined funds will enable us to cater to our basic needs and we thank God.
What is the happiest part of your day?
When I first heard about Give Directly and what they were about to bring to the village, my heart leaped with joy. I have been praying to get enrolled successfully so that I can sail through the next five years without worrying about food. Dying of hunger at my age would be embarrassing.it should not happen to anyone.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
At 86 years, I feel so frail and sickly. On a normal day, a man is required to provide for his family but that has become difficult for me. I am diabetic and sometimes, my entire body swells to a point of too much pain. I can barely work to provide food for my wife, therefore, she is forced to go out and look for casual jobs like digging our neighbor's farms to put food on our table. She does not complain but I feel it heavily in my heart that I might have failed as the man of the house.
