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 greatest thing about Indirectly is letting people decide on how to use their transfers. Most people have improved their lives in various ways as some spent theirs on education, improving their house and others met their daily household needs. It came when we needed it most in my family, a time when I spent a whole month fully nursing my ailing husband who unfortunately passed on. I had to quit my work which left us with no household income. I will forever be indebted to the organization. There is nothing they are not doing though.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Unfortunately, my spouse was buried a week ago leaving as the breadwinner of the family. I have two children who recently sat for their National Primary Examinations, and they are yet to join secondary school next month. I have been taking care of my neighbor's goats, and he pays me KES 3000 at the end of the month but I have not done it for two months since my spouse fell ill. It has not been easy, but I am great full GiveDirectly came to our rescue. I, therefore saved the whole of the second transfer so that I will add it to the third and enroll them in school.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($10 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was with my husband nursing him when we both got our transfers. My heart skipped for joy because I was desperately in need of some funds to not only support my ailing husband but also feed the children. Even in his bedridden state, he was open to sharing his opinion on how we should use the funds, and thereby agreed that my transfer goes to the food budget.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Life has been very difficult for us. We would move from town to town in search of jobs but we were never successful. Therefore, we decided to practice livestock keeping and also burn charcoal. From this, we will be able to feed our children. But when my husband's liver illness escalated, he could no longer go to work. I opted to stay home to nurse him. His little brother who works as a handyman at a construction site was the one who stepped in to support us financially. When I started receiving the funds from give directly, it gave me a sense of independence as we were now able to meet our needs. I also plan to start a grocery business using the transfers as a way to earn a living.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My husband used to struggle with liver complications for 7 years. It got worse last year and we had to fundraise so that he could seek medical attention. The needed amount was KES 20,000. For days, we tried but it never got to the targeted quantity. He on the other hand kept fighting the illness up until 2nd April when he succumbed. It was only a day after we had received our transfers. He also helped me with brainstorming the best way to spend the money. We both agreed that I should use my transfer to purchase food for our five children. I did so because that was the area we were struggling with the most as none of us was working. We used to practice livestock keeping and charcoal manufacturing business but after he was bedridden, we stopped. We then started depending on his little brother who works as a handyman at a construction site for financial support
Enrolled
access_time 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I have always yearned to provide quality education for my five children. I am intending to use my transfers to support my children's education the betterment of their prosperity.
What is the happiest part of your day?
The coming of Givedirectly to our village is my happiness. This is because I will be able to send my two children who are in standard eight to secondary school after they are done with their primary education. The future is now luminous and I am grateful for that.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My husband works as a dealer. We survive on commissions earned from his brokerage. The uncertainty is what is worrying us as he can spend a couple of days without getting any deal. This coupled with the tough economy is a monster we are now facing as a household.
