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.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Being a Level 3 Mechanics student, I used KES 1500 to pay for my school fees that were due. Also, I paid a rental fee of KES 1500 at the place I stay while in school. Having initiated a house construction project for my mother, I used KES 2000 to acquire iron sheets and KES 1000 to obtain planks for the roof.
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am the first born in a family of 8 members.My mam is a single mother and through my casual jobs had started building her two roomed house because currently she lives in a smaller house which is not enough for her and my younger siblings.My first transfer was spent in buying ironsheets for the roof.my second transfer was spent on buying more ironsheets and other building materials and transport for the materials to get home.My recent transfer of kes 1000 was used to pay the roofing contractor, bought a duck for kes 1000 and food for kes 500.I was left with kes 500 which I took my self out and bought myself soft drinks and airtime for my phone.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
I can do things where I would not.no. Give Directly has done so much for me I would not know where I would be without them. I am also able to plan for my future due to this unconditional money. I feel like giving us the choice on how to spend our money has never been done by any other organizations which I am thankful for.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I thought about where my mother slept and it made me so sad that she did not have her place to stay to give her that sense of security. She would live with me and months later move to another son and so on and so forth. I took the KES.3000 to buy materials for the home. This would not have been possible without Givedirectly for this opportunity.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I had been cleaning the compound early that morning, stressing over what my family would have to eat when I heard my phone ring with a text message. On looking to see who had texted, I was surprised to see I had received KES.3050. I was very happy to see that what I was promised came to be. Words cannot express my gratitude.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my day-to-day life is that I no longer have to stress over how I am going to feed my family. Just knowing that I now only have to look for extra income to support our daily expenses catered for by Give directly has lifted a weight over my chest. My family can now have three meals a day which was not possible.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I was able to build my mother a house using galvanized iron sheets. I was able to spend the whole amount on the sheets. This has always been a dream of mine but having no stable income has led to no savings to even dream of it. I am the sole provider of my family as my siblings are younger and have yet to finish school. During this pandemic, it has especially been hard to even find casual jobs in the village. Thanks to this program I know it will not be as stressful putting food on the table. I am thankful to gGivedirectly for this opportunity.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I started parenting at an early age. My father died before I was born and when I became of age, I had to take up the responsibility of looking after my younger siblings. To support my mother, I took up a house help job in town and it’s while working there that I discovered my talent for singing and writing songs. I have since written several hip-hop songs but never got a chance to record them due to financial challenges. From the transfers, I plan to start a shop for fast-moving goods. I will use the proceeds from the shop to pay for recording sessions and achieve the dream of becoming a songwriter and a musician.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of the day is in the evening. I spend most of my day fending for my family. Jobs are scarce with minimal pay. Whenever I make it to bring food on the table in the evening, that makes it my happiest part of the day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
At the early age of 13, I took up a farm job to support my struggling mother. My employer however turned out to be a cheat. For 3 years, I worked hard hoping and waiting for the lumpsum pay that he had promised. My mother was always on my case as she expected frequent remittances. When I failed to send her money, she accused me of becoming my employer’s mistress. Even then I worked hard with the hopes of surprising her once I got paid. That never got to be the case as I ended coming back home with no penny to show for all my hard work after my employer tricked me and disappeared with all my hard-earned money. It caused me so much pain and still does. It’s my life most difficult moment.
