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?
I think GiveDirectly does well in terms of educating us well about the organization during the Barraza meeting. This in my opinion is very essential in dispelling any rumors that we as the villager might have heard from others. It also allows choosing whether to be enrolled or not. For this is a very good thing.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I work as a watchman in a nearby primary school. When the corona pandemic began it was very unfortunate that I lost my job. I am the sole breadwinner in my family and I had to find alternative ways to find food and also meet my other family's needs. Towards the end of last year, I was lucky to land a contract basis job as a watchman. My pay mostly depends on the parents whose children school there. For the past two months, I had not been paid any salary and my family was hurting in terms of the number of meals they were getting. My children were also sent home from school due to school fee balances and things were getting worse than ever. It is at this time that I was able to receive my first transfer of KSH 1200. I spent the whole transfer buying food for my family. I was later paid a one-month salary and used that to pay school fees for my children. When I received my second transfer, I spent KSH 2000 buying food for my family. The stock I had bought last was almost getting finished. My last born was admitted to the hospital due to some illness. I used the remaining KSH 1000 to pay the hospital bills.
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?
I was at school where I work as a security guard. Many of my colleagues told me that they had received the money but since I did not have my phone at that moment I could not confirm. When I was able to access my phone I confirmed that I too had received the money, I later went home and told my wife that things were getting better thanks to Give directly.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I get extra income in my daily income. This means that my family does not have to go to bed hungry and I can also raise a little capital to not only start a business but to ensure my family lives a comfortable life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
This first transfer was a blessing in disguise as I did not expect it. We had been having trouble paying our children's school fees and they have been regularly been sent home and that day was no exception. With this money, I was able to pay a balance of KES.200, giving them a chance to catch up with the rest of the class. On the other KES.1000, I was able to buy food and water which has been a difficult task during this drought. We have had to buy water which has long dried up in the taps and nearby streams. Thanks to Give directly, my family no longer struggles to put food on the table.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My dream has always been to start a business for my wife so she can also have a source of income and help me with other household responsibilities in case my salary comes in late. I am a security guard and earn 4000 KES every month, this money is not enough to educate my child in secondary school, feed my family and start a business for my wife. Starting the business will cost me 2000 KES and spend the remaining 1000 KES to buy basic things for my family. Receiving this money means a good future for them.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Being able to have a source of income amidst all these challenges has brought me joy because many people wish to be in my position.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
With the drought feeding my family has been a challenge, with my eldest child in secondary school, it has become even worse because I channel almost all my earnings towards his education. As a man, it breaks my heart to be in a position where I cannot take good care of my family.
