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?
In my opinion GiveDirectly is doing well by visiting us at our homes and introducing us to a 5 year cash support program.However with what you are doing it would be better for me if GiveDirectly bought me the piece of land I have always wanted than receiving the monthly cash transfers.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My husband is a polygamous man who has 3 wives.I am the first wife and lately he has been unwell and unable to support me and my family.My first transfer of KES 500 was spent on food and cleaning detergents and I bought more vegetable stock for KES 200 as I cleared school fees balance of KES 500 for my grandson.My second transfer was used to buy 3 ducks for KES 3000.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
The message arrived almost at around nine in the morning and I was so happy because my husband most times took care of the family but after he fell sick and suffered from diabetes he only managed to go to work occasionally and taking care of the family became my responsibility so seeing the funds was a huge relief.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The financial support has been a great help because especially with my husbands ailment making ends meet became a struggle but fortunately we got signed up to this program and hopefully through the funds I will start my own business and be sustainable.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Initially before receiving the money I had wanted to purchase my own poultry so that I could rear and start a business but I had to change my plans because I was depended on back home for instance my son had no money and he asked me assist him in paying fpr tuition for my grandson and so I gave him KES 500 for the school fees. Then I bought three packets of maize flour worth KES 300 because we had run out of food in the house, took KES 250 to buy more sardines for sell since I owned a kiosk where I sold vegetables like kales and cabbages. Lastly I bought laundry detergent worth KES 150.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means a continuous income to sustain my family. I have always wanted to start a food kiosk but lack of money has not made it possible for me to realize the dream. I had build a small kisok near my homestead and I plan to use it for the business. Aside from the food kiosk I also plan to start rearing chicken that I can sell after four weeks and earn an income. I will spend the 3000 KES for the first transfer to buy the chicken and use the profit I make to open the food kiosk.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I lacked peace and I was suffering because of the family rangles, but for the past six months I have had peace because my husband changed and started taking care of the family again.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The challenges that I currently face is lack of money. I am a housewife, being without a source of income and depending on my husband is not easy because we are in a polygamous family with many people to take care off.
