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?
In my opinion,GiveDirectly is doing well by providing the cash transfers.Personally am grateful because my goal of being an electrician highly depends on this funds.I would not want GiveDirectly to do anything differently.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am the firstborn in a family of 5 children. I am expected to join Electrical Training College but unable to complete my college application without my Secondary Certificate. I used KES 1800 to pay for books that I had misplaced in my former school and cleared school fees balance of KES 1000 in order to have my Certificate . On my way home I bought myself lunch of KES 200 in a nearby restaurant .
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?
Being too dependent on my siblings is something I do not take pride in. So, the first time I received these funds, I felt a sense of independence. I was happy I had some cash of my own. This made me very happy as I could now contribute financially to the family's needs.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I did my KCSE in 2015. Since I had arrears of ksh2300 that I was unable to settle, I am yet to collect my certificate. This has made it hard for me to join college but this year in May, I believe I will have gotten I, and I will be joining a college that charges a school fee of ksh4000 thanks to the funds from give directly. This is such a great difference for me.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Since I am unemployed, I am fully dependent on my siblings for financial support. So, when I received my first transfer of ksh1200, I spent ksh400 to purchase some clothes for myself, ksh500 to help out with the food budget in the house, and the remaining ksh300 I used it as my petty cash.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I dropped out of college and my dream of becoming an electrician hit a dead end. It's been eight months now and I haven't been able to raise the 24000 KES required for my school fees. I knew all was lost until GiveDirectly came to our village. My hope is rekindled as these transfers will see me continue with my studies. Upon completion of this course, I hope to get a job that will change my life for the better.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My mornings are joyous because seeing a new day assures me that I have another chance to better my life. This motivates me to work harder no matter how tough the situation is.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Unemployment has left me with no option than to rely on subsistence farming for a living. Other than that I undertake any casual job that comes my way, but I do not get a substantial amount. It's not surprising to make less than 500 KES in a whole month. This has caused me to suffer as I cannot meet my basic needs, let alone enrolling my son in school.
