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?
My current house is situated on poorly drained ground, leading to flooding during rains, particularly damaging its mud walls and creating holes. The cash transfers have been instrumental in allowing me to contribute funds toward the construction of a new house. If solely reliant on my husband's earnings, this endeavor would have posed a significant challenge, especially with the financial demands of supporting our five children through their education. With the recent cash transfers, I allocated $68 to purchase six iron sheets in preparation for the new house construction. Additionally, during the Christmas holidays, I utilized $34 to buy new clothes for my children, providing them with a memorable celebration. I am pleased that I could uphold this tradition through the support of the transfers, bringing joy to my children. The impact of the cash transfers on my family's life has been profound, and I deeply appreciate the positive transformation it has brought.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I am determined to start building a new house next year. I lack confidence in the current condition of my house, standing on poorly drained ground that leads to flooding. I fear that it may collapse, leaving my husband, five children, and me homeless. In the meantime, I have begun acquiring iron sheets to prepare for the construction of the new house. My goal is to support my husband in accumulating the necessary building materials throughout this year and commence the construction next year. I am grateful for the financial support that has paved the way for a more secure and stable living situation for my family in the future.
13th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($23 USD)
access_time 11 months ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I have five children, four are school going. I sell charcoal as a way of making ends meet and my husband is a casual construction worker. We do not make much to sort out all our needs and so we are forever greatful for the Givedirectly transfers as they gave us a chance of taking care of important needs. I have used my cash transfers over the last three months to pay school fees for my children, $15 in July, $10 in August and $10 in September. I also bought iron sheets for my building project $20 for two sheets of iron in August and September. I was also able to pay debts $10 in July while being able to stock up on toiletries at $9 in July and $4 on August and September.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I live in an old one room house which God forbid it rains, we are rendered homeless. I had wanted to have a new house built in its place as my family grew and the house got more delapitated. I now have started purchasing items towards this goal. I got new iron sheets and my hope is to add more to a point they are sufficient for the two room house we hope to construct.
10th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($25 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Currently, our locality is experiencing rainfall, creating ideal conditions for cultivation. Upon receiving my June transfers, I decided to allocate a portion of it towards preparing my land for planting. Hiring someone to till the land cost me approximately $30, but it was a worthwhile investment as I was able to plant maize across one acre. Once these crops are harvested, they will provide us with sufficient food for my family, significantly reducing our expenses on purchasing food. Furthermore, I utilized a portion of my previous month's transfer to purchase an additional goat for rearing, costing $15, which adds to the few goats I already owned. These goats serve as a valuable source of income as we can sell them and utilize the proceeds to fulfill other needs. Lastly, I allocated the remaining funds from this month's transfer to purchasing food for my family, who consists of five members.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Currently, my family of five is residing in an old one single-room house. As our family has expanded in size, it has become increasingly apparent that we require a larger living space to accommodate everyone comfortably. Thus, I have devised a plan to construct a more spacious two-room house that will cater to the needs of our entire family. This undertaking aims to enhance each individual's privacy and contribute to the overall well-being of our household.
6th Payment
Transfer Amount
3470 KES ($27 USD)
access_time over 1 year ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Due to mounting school fee arrears, my four children were about to quit primary school. I tried to convince the school administration to let them stay since I struggle to pay for them, but they grew impatient due to my broken promises. After receiving of the transfer, I went to the school with $30 to plead with the administration to let me keep my kids there while I continue to struggle. I appreciate the school letting them continue with their studies. I also purchased some personal effects and laundry detergent for the household with the remaining $4.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
The house I currently have is in poor shape and could collapse at any time from wind or rain, thus my present goal is to build a good one. I decided to come up with another one because of this. I am determined that going forward, I will set aside $15 from each transfer on a monthly basis in order to achieve this. I'll be able to use this to begin buying the construction materials one at a time. In the event that this plan goes as planned, I will be really grateful to find myself in a decent and secure home.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
3050 KES ($25 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Even though my husband is the sole breadwinner in our family, he is constantly overwhelmed by the responsibility because he does not have a formal job. He previously worked in the hotel industry but was laid off during the Covid-19 pandemic. I decided to make charcoal for sale to support our large family of seven members. I spent $15 on a young goat after receiving my recent transfer. I have always wanted to own livestock. I also paid the primary school fees for my two sons, Julius and Joseph. As a result, they owed me $10, which I paid. As a result, they have learned comfortably and with minimal disruption. Consequently, they had arrears of $10 that I settled. They have therefore learned comfortably with minimal disruption.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
We can meet our immediate needs whenever we receive the transfer as community members. With an unconditional transfer, no one decides what we should buy for us; instead, we concentrate on the immediate benefit. As a result, I believe that GiveDirectly does an excellent job of improving the living conditions of low-income earners by providing direct cash transfers with no strings attached. For example, since enrolling in the program, I have found it easy to pay for my children's school fees. What has been a major challenge since the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. There is, however, nothing that GiveDirectly does poorly.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($10 USD)
access_time 2 years ago
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What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Since my husband had not earned enough from his daily casual tasks, I used KES 500 from the transfer to pay school fees for my two children. They had been ordered home from school to collect these fees and would not be permitted to return to class until they did so. In addition, I used the remaining money to purchase meals. My family had gone two days without eating since the household had run out of maize flour. At least, this would afford me time to generate more cash through the charcoal that I had been preparing since the beginning of the week.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Prior to the transfer, my two primary school children would constantly be dragged out of class to collect overdue tuition fee balances. Consequently, I would accompany them back to school and persuade the administration to allow the back to class as I worked on raising money through my charcoal burning business. When I received the transfer, I knew this issue would be solved. I cleared the fee balances and my children have not been sent out of class since then.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was in the kitchen cooking porridge for dinner using the last bit of maize flour left in the household when my phone vibrated with a message alert. Upon checking its contents, I realized that Give Directly had sent me the first cash transfer. I felt a wave of relief sweep over me because my children would finally have decent meals the following day after two nights of staving.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Raising five children in this economic time is quite an uphill task. I burn and sell charcoal for a living. Business is not as good right now. My husband tries his best to look for casual jobs. Most times he does not get any, we go to bed hungry. I hope the situation changes.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I can only thank goodness for my family's health. As I wait for things to get better, I choose to remain grateful and hopeful.
What does receiving this money mean to you?
My husband and I are excited about this opportunity. This money will come in handy for school fees and food. Because he was declared redundant at this workplace, we have decided to save at least KES 1,000 monthly with our Sacco. This money will be for future use. I am so grateful for Give Directly.