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.
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be updated on Christiner's next check-in.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($26 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Give directly has done very well through its cash donation program. I am now in a better position to create employment for myself by opening a grocery store. Using the funds I have also been able to purchase some food for myself at the time when my family and I were struggling to put food on the table. However, I was not happy when I missed out on my transfer. At the time my phone had network problems. So, whenever I was contacted, the agents would struggle to communicate effectively. This in turn delayed my transfer.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I'm yet to acquire the financial stability I desire. So often, I found myself depending on my mother's earnings from her grocery store business. She does not make much thereby to support her income, I also sell water and make a daily profit is KES 50. To create some financial freedom, I planned to also start a grocery store business but because there was no food in the house, I instead opted to buy some food.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I had waited three months to receive the money because I had misplaced my Sim card. When I finally confirmed Give Directly had sent the transfer, my heart was filled with joy. Poverty had hit me hard and the transfer melted my sorrows away.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The fact that my brother and I no longer have to borrow food and soap from relatives and neighbors is the greatest difference in my life. With the monthly transfers, we can budget and fulfill our needs without having to ask for money or meals from others. I believe financial instability will fade away through Give Directly.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Being a waitress at an eatery within the village makes it tough to meet my basic needs. When I received the transfer, my priority was acquiring food. So I spent most of the money, KES 1020 to secure maize flour and sugar. I used the rest of the cash on cleaning powder.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have been jobless for quite some time and forced to depend on my parents and siblings to get most of my needs. This situation isn't good at all and I would like to have a source of income for myself. When I get the transfers I want to start a business selling vegetables and other essential general shop products. I know from experience they move very fast in this village hence easy to make good margin of profit from.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I was happy to get better after two years of sickness. I was down with backache that took me two years with series of treatment of all sorts. It also badly drained my family financially that I even thought they wouldn't afford at some point and I was nearly giving up. But I'm happy it went away eventually and I can now stand up and walk.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
As a lady who's an adult and unmarried, it doesn't feel good to live with parents and not having any income. I always have to depend on my mother and my elder brother to get the most basic of needs, something that I find really embarrassing. I'm sometimes forced to beg for money from my sister who's already married else where just to afford personal effects.
