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?
I am physically disabled and depend on my parents for their support. My father is both a livestock and crop farmer and mostly depends on the harvests from the farm. Since the drought started, it has been challenging for him to provide for his family. When I received my transfer, I contributed KSH 1500 to the family contribution, and we bought maize for food. Though I am physically disabled, I have perfected my skills in sewing clothes. Together with my father, we have already built a shop where I will start my tailoring business. I saved the remaining amount from the transfer so that I can buy a sewing machine and finally start the business and earn income for myself.
3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I bought Christmas clothes that cost me KES 1500 and spend the rest of the money to buy grass for roofing since part of my house has been leaking.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($27 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
Yes, in my opinion, GiveDirectly does well in terms of helping the needy in society. I am a proud and happy beneficiary of the program. I can now see my life-changing for the better. This would have happened had I not been enrolled in the program. So I am very grateful for that.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Well, I am physically disabled. With my condition, I always need somebody by my side to help me in doing certain things. As they say, disability is not inability, I have my strengths too. I know how to sew clothes and that has been my dream ever since, to be able to own a tailoring business of my own. Since I am still in school my father who is my helper helps me a lot in the planning. After receiving the first transfer my father and I sat down and discussed the best way on how to utilize the other incoming transfers. We agreed to first build a shop where I will use to sew the clothes. So when I received the transfer my father helped me secure the materials needed to build the shop. He bought some building poles, nails, and some sisal twining. Although we did not manage to buy everything required I am happy that this is the first step to something big of achieving the dream that I have always had.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received the message at 6 pm. I was sitting outside my house. I had my phone vibrating and I called my dad who came by and checked my phone for me. He then told me the good news that I had to receive the money. I became very happy.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The money has made a big difference in my life. I now have new clothes and I can smile that I dress well and feel comfortable. I now have new pairs of shoes which I previously did not have. With all these things I have got now I can say I am thankful for everything and may God bless you so much.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I received KSH 1200 from GiveDirectly. I am physically disabled and depend mostly on people to do things for me in my daily life. With the recent hardships, I have been facing it is been hard for me and my family too to be able to take care of me fully. When I received the money I spent KSH 550 on buying new clothes for myself. The clothes I was were very little and I had outgrown most of the clothes. In addition to that, I spent KSH 300 buying two new pairs of shoes. I did not have any shoes before buying the new ones. I also saved KSH 350 for my use at a later date and in case of any emergency.
Enrolled
access_time 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I was born with physical challenges. There is a lot that I cannot do. I cannot communicate well and I also cannot do physical jobs. With the support of my parents, I would like to invest in a long term business that can sustain me in years to come. What I have in mind is building a tailor shop in our land which is just beside the road. This will cost me around KES 15,000 which I will have saved from the first 5 transfers. I will start by selling school uniform materials then buying a sewing machine from the proceeds. My desire in the future is having a big shop which I will be running just as a manager.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The happiest part of my day is in the evening. This is after completing my last duty of the day which is fetching water. I set aside my jerrican of water which I use to bath and do my laundry.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
I am categorised as someone with special needs. My biggest challenge is that I cannot do most of the activities on my own. I have to depend on my parents in almost everything.
