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 has really changed the livelihoods of people in my village. People are no longer sleeping hungry, kids are not sent home for fees arrears and also there is good shelter for all.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I received a cash transfer of KSH 3000 which I used as follows. My kid had just been sent home from school due to fees arreas so I had to take him back with KSH 800. The furniture in my house was is a very bad condition so I got a new chair worth KSH 750. With the remaining KSH 1450, I bought food for my family to replenish what had been left.
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?
At the time the message came me I was taking care of the livestock. I was genuinely very happy because I had no money that day since I barely have any jobs that give me a proper wage. Plus there was barely any food in the house which left me feeling stressed out and anxious so receiving the money that day was such a huge blessing to me and my family.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
As I continue to look for a better job that will help me take care of my family financially I ma so glad that with the funds I will receiving and have already received the financial burden is not as bad as it was before and I now have financial support that helped me pay for my daughters education and the most vital one was managing to feed my family.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I happened to have a debt of KES 1,000 from my daughters school due to tuition fee so when I received the money I immediately went ahead and paid for half of the debt which would help keep the school administration at bay in order not to send my child back home. After paying KES 500 at the school I was left with KES 670 where I used KES 480 by buying four packets of maize flour so that my family could have a meal. As for what was left I bought laundry detergent worth KES 170 and used KES 20 to buy body oil.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
As it stands, I'm jobless. I came back to the village from Mombasa three and a half years ago. Ever since I've been taking up odd jobs to make a living. Currently, I got into the charcoal burning business but it's not sustainable. I would like to start my own motorbike business. To begin, I intend to borrow squads from my peers. I'll add Give Directly funds to what I make from squads and then save up at my Sacco. When I have gathered enough money, I'll buy my bike and manage my finances better.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My only child started school. Getting him ready for school every morning gives me so much joy. My wife works in Mombasa, therefore, I'm in charge of taking care of our son and I would not have it any other way.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
At 24 years of age, I have seen and done it all. I've been a tout, a cook in some small restaurants in Mombasa. The income was too little and I decided to come back home. It isn't any better here. Every night I go to sleep after a long day of not making money, I feel so deflated. Whenever I see my peers running various businesses, I ask myself where I went wrong because every business I attempt to start just fails. Joblessness is my biggest heartbreaker at the moment.
