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?
The funds from give directly have been very helpful in paying for my children's school fees. For this reason, I believe give directly has done very well. The organization could also do better if they could possibly send the money in lamp some which would help us finish our projects on time.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have a desire to improve my life using these funds. So, when I received my first transfer of KESK1200, I used KES500 to reduce my children's school fee arrears of KES1500 and the remaining KES700, I saved in a chama. Using the second transfer, I used KES1000 to pay my children's school fee, KES1000 to buy some school uniform, KES500 to purchase food and I saved the remaining KES500 in the Chama. My earnings of around KES300 from the motorcycling business have been boosted, so the family's needs are well taken care of.
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?
It was almost 10a.m and I was already at our parking center waiting for customers. My phone was coincidentally in my hands when I received the message. I was so happy to see the Mpesa message. There was no food in my house and this transfer meant that my children would have something to eat. Infact we ate 3 meals on that day! Thank you so much Give Directly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving transfers from Give Directly is that I now feel organized. I now have financial plans for my children and I. My children now go to school comfortably without worrying about fees. I also have a plan to enroll for driving classes in a near by college. I feel like my whole life has changed.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
First of all this money came in at a time when there was real "drought" in my house. I'm a motorcycle rider and this business has been down since the COVID-19 pandemic. We had spent the previous day hungry and only had one meal. When I received this money I went directly to buy 5 packets of 2kg maize flour worth kshs 600. I saved the other kshs 600 in a merry go round where I was instantly given a loan of kshs 3,000 which helped me to pay school fees and buy books for my children.
Enrolled
access_time almost 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am so happy that finally Give Directly is in our sub-location. I have heard a lot of great things about it and my wish was that we also get a chance to receive assistance from this organization. I have had plans of renovating my house but the only challenge has been lack of finances. I sell charcoal for a living and the income is not as much. In a week I make a profit of 1500 KES but can only cater to my basic needs and at times pay school fees for my two sons who are in primary school. I need about 20 bags of cement to start renovations and a bag goes for 650 KES. I also plan to extend the size of my door and replace it with a more firm and access door. I want a secure place where I can safely keep my motorcycle especially.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The birth of my son brought me joy. This year has hit us so hard especially with the famine but his birth gave me a reason to rejoice and remain grateful for the many blessings we have. Whenever I see him, my heart is filled with the hope of better days ahead, despite things being difficult I know we shall pull through.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My business is not doing so well, I sell Charcoal for a living but at the moment my clients are not buying my product as they used to. Everyone is complaining about tough times and the economy not doing so well. This has reduced the number of trips I go to the market to sell the charcoal, previously I would make three trips but now I only make one trip.
Bills are piling up and my family is growing. We were recently blessed with our fifth child and at that time I did not even have money to pay the hospital bills.
